To Be Graded

Fiji Government’ Decides Copra Argument

THE determination of the Government of Fiji to introduce a system of compulsory grading of Fiji copra was formally announced by the Governor at the opening of the February session of the Legislative Council.

The question of whether Fiji copra should be compulsorily graded has been a subject of argument in Fiji for many years, but the Government has now decided to go on with the plan.

Under present conditions, Fiji copra is graded into two classes—“ Plantation” and “F.M.S.” (which means “fair, mer chantable sun-dried”). The new system provides for the compulsory grading of copra into three grades—namely, Fiji Ist, Fiji 2nd, and Fiji 3rd, which are defined according to the content of free fatty acid and moisture, freedom from defective and extraneous matter, and appearance. Of these grades, Fiji 2nd corresponds approximately to the pre sent Plantation grade, and Fiji 3rd to the present F.M.S. grade.

The Governor expressed the view that Fiji Ist, although a superior grade, is not beyond the present capacity of pro ducers. The new system provides for the export of copra through specified ports, at which inspectors will be posted for the purpose of grading all copra exported.

Tests have been carried out during the past year by the Fiji Department of Agriculture, in co-operation with the big firms. Morris Hedstrom Ltd. sent a

small consignment of 25 tons of special copra, equal to what is to be called Fiji Ist, to London, where it was very closely examined by experts, and classified as rather better than Rabaul Hot-air.

Morris Hedstrom received for the ship ment 10/- per ton better than the ruling rate for Fiji Plantation grade It is hoped that Fiji first grade will return at least 10/- per ton more than Fiji 2nd grade, and that Fiji 2nd will be anything from 5/- to 7/6 per ton better than Fiji 3rd.

Passed—But Not To Operate

THE Copra Grading Bill was expected to produce a merry argument in the Legislative Council, but it was de bated quietly.

The Director of Agriculture (Dr. Jack) in introducing the Bill, presented an almost unanswerable case. He pointed out that the value of New Guinea copra was the same as that of Fiji; but, over the last five years, with compulsory grading, New Guinea copra had aver aged 15/9 per ton sterling more than Fiji copra, or a total of £50,000. If Fiji copra corresponded to Malaya F.M.S., it would have realised 20/- per ton more.

Mr. H. B. Gibson said that this was the wrong time to enforce compulsory grading. The copra industry was not in a position to incur the heavy additional expenses proposed. If it was desired to improve copra, then let them make a law that no one should produce bad copra. Let them defer the grading scheme until kiln-drying was better established.

Mr. J. Trotter said that, while the object of the Bill was to be commended, it was most unfortunate that it should be introduced just at a time when short age of shipping was placing a terrific burden upon the industry.

At the conclusion of the debate, the Governor said, that in view of the pre sent outlook, it would be wise to wait a while before enforcing the Bill. He thought the Bill should be placed on the Statute Book, ready to be put into operation when the concensus of opinion was that it might be applied.

On this understanding, the Bill was passed.