Sydney

Copra Accumulations in Sydney

Letter to the Editor IDO not know whether you are aware of the anomalous position which plantation-owners and agents are in at present, in regard to consignments of copra stored in lighters in Sydney.

When shipments were stopped, sud denly, some months ago, some thousands of tons of copra had arrived in Sydney.

This produce is now lying stored, at the owners’ expense.

I understand that Lever Brothers, in

Sydney, are the only users of our pro duct. now that overseas shipping is blocked, and that they hold out no hope of making use of the present accumulation in Sydney, but state they are getting sufficient copra for their use from their own plantations; and Burns.

Philp steamers have brought in several consignments since this accumulation occurred.

It is known that certain manufactur ers have a monopoly in Australia, in regard to crushing and manufacturing; but it seems to us that under present circumstances they should have to bear a share of the burden under which other planters are labouring, under the present conditions.

Most companies have to store their copra on the plantations, and it seems only fair that all companies should store some of theirs until such time as the present accumulation in Sydney is absorbed. Unless something is done in that line, it seems, we shall be forced to carry our stocks outside the Heads and dump them.

In case all the companies are unwill ing to do something in this regard, could not the Commonwealth authorities be prevailed upon to prohibit the landing of all copra in Australia, until the pre sent accumulation is disnosed of?

I am, etc.,

"Planter".

Brisbane, Qld., 28/8 40.

Mr. J. Mainka, a Pole, who went to New Guinea over 30 years ago and who was postmaster at Rabaul for several years, died recently in Sydney at the age or 64. Before the Great War, he owned Londip Plantation at Kokopo and eventu ally disposed of it to the Melanesia Company.