Copra

Shipments in Australian Territories

APART from some shipping activity in New Guinea and Papua, the copra market generally is flat and life less. There is no prospect of revival un less (a) new markets are found (for Britain alone cannot absorb Europe’s usual quota) and (b) ships are provided for its transportation.

A month ago, there was some chance of an extended market. Sir Walter Car penter succeeded in arranging for Mexico to receive about 70,000 tons of South Pacific copra p.a., in return for mineral oil supplies. But the latter part of the transaction, most unfortunately, involved Imperial war considerations of a delicate character; and, late in Sep tember, it was announced that the deal was off. Only a limited amount of copra now is going to Mexico.

As soon as the new Australian Govern ment is formed, another appeal will be made to the responsible Minister, asking that an attempt be made to open the United States market to South Pacific copra. (See “P.1.M.”, of September.) Meanwhile pending certain Govern mental and Parliamentary action, it has not been possible to set up the committee and create the machinery through which Australia is to give relief to distressed coconut planters in Papua and New Guinea. Relief (of a very limited char acter) is being given directly by the re spective Administrations, on written ap plication from individual planters.

On August 28, London promised Can berra that another freighter would be put on to load copra in New Guinea, in place of the Greek vessel which Bums, Philp & Co., had chartered, and which was commandeered. This substitute vessel duly loaded 6,000 tons at Territories’ ports in October; and she is being fol lowed shortly by two or three other freighters. This movement of copra in the Territories will considerably improve the economic position in Papua and T.N.G.

A complete inter-island service by a BP. vessel, recently overhauled, is being re sumed, on a 12-weekly basis. This is ex pected to bring in 60 per cent, of out ports copra.