Pearl Shell In War

The Australian Government has issued a proclamation which prohibits the export of neari shell with out the consent of the Customs Depart ment. The Minister said all supplies of suitable quality pearl shell, in the larger sizes, were being requisitioned by the Government for use in the manufac ture of essential defence requirements, and it was intended only to enforce the export nrohibition on these particular grades. Permits for shipment of pearl shell will be issued by Customs officials if exporters submit statutory declarations, supported by certificates from an expert grader, that the consignments do not in clude the grade of shell being requisi tioned. Most of the Thursday Island shell goes to America, and it is not thought that the ban will affect these exports to any degree. In recent weeks, pearl shell prices on the New York market have shown a tendency to rise.