Industry Severely Depressed
pp. 43-44 · Read in the full issue
Philippines Copra
THE “Far Eastern Survey” of October 26 says that the Philippines copra indus try, owing to the poor support of United States purchasers of copra, is going through a bad time. The writer proceeds; “The American market is turning more and more to domestic fats and oils, and to cheaper substitutes for coconut oil wherever these can be used. Cottonseed oil is displacing coconut oil to a large extent in the oleomargarine industry in the United States.
“In American soap manufacturing, palm-kernel oil is gaining at the expense of coconut oil. In 1936. 18% of saponifi able material consumed by the American soap industry was contributed by coconut oil; this share has fallen to 14% in 1937.
“Total consumption of coconut oil in the United States was put at 637 million
pounds in 1936, only 493 million in 1937, and a large carryover of coconut oil stocks within the United States has helped to reduce the demand and price in 1938. In the first half of 1937, the United States price was quoted at 7.6 cents a pound, plus 3 cents tax; this year, the price had fallen to 3.4 cents, plus the 3 cents tax.
“In the same period, exports from the Philippines (practically all of which go to the United States) in 1938 fell to 139 million pounds, a loss of 2.5 million pounds; and the trade returns show a value of only 10 million Philippine dollars, compared with nearly 20 million in 1937.”
The South African ketch-rigged auxil iary yacht “Land’s End” returned to New Zealand in November after a three months’ cruise to Tonga. Captain Jeff rey plans to return to Durban shortly via Tonga. Fiji, New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, Papua, and the Seychelles Group.
Mr. J. Grimwood, manager of the Trans-Pacific and Inter-Island services of the Union Steam Ship Co. in New Zealand, who has been closely connected with the Fiji trade for many years, will retire at the end of this month. At one time he was in the U.S.S. Co.’s branch at Suva as chief clerk and ac countant. Mr. Grimwood will be suc ceeded by Mr. F. Wood.
Mrs. Paulina Bartley died at Motootua, Western Samoa, in November at the age of 84. Her son, Mr. Charles Bartley, conducts a trading establishment in Apia.
Mr. H. C. Monckton, Adviser on Na tives Affairs in Fiji, departed from Suva with his wife by the November “Niag ara” to spend a short time in New Zealand before going on to England.
During Mr. Monckton’s absence, Mr. C.
E. de F. Pennefather is Acting Adviser on Native Affairs.