Copra-Growers ?

Why Not a Strike of Copra-Growers ?

Letter to the Editor rE situation of the copra producer is well explained in the June “PIM”.

First, we have Japan seeking copra in the Pacific. Then, on the same page, in a splendid cartoon, our friend “Rox” put the situation in a nutshell. Then comes “Relief for producers by the Copra Marketing Board”. After that, the com passionate allowance to destitute plant ers; and so on to “Ga ni Bulu’s” letter, explaining how and where all the profits are made.

Besides being a splendid magazine, describing events, not only in the Pacific, but in all parts of the world, the “PIM” seems to be the only paper with any sympathy for the copra producer. But in spite of its efforts we don’t seem to have got anywhere, and we are certainly no better off.

It costs money to build factory ships, and mills to manufacture the products from copra, and that’s where the shoe pinches. The planter has no money. His cry to the Government, to help with a loan, falls on deaf ears. No one will volunteer to come to his assistance. He

has explored every avenue through the medium of Government, merchant and press—all in vain.

His fellow-planters in distress are so far apart that it is impossible to discuss his problems at a well-attended meeting, so he goes on hoping and waiting for the “FIM” to tell him that someone has at last found a solution, and the “copra combines” have been put out of action.

So what?

I don’t think that is likely to happen, as the “c.c.” and their “fifth columnists” are too well organised. We planters are not organised; and, until we have some method of countering the combines, we shall go one taking whatever they like to give us for our produce.

Big business says that there are very few markets for copra, owing to other competing vegetable and fish oils. Yet all copra is used up; none is dumped or destroyed owing to over-production.

We don’t put a price on our * copra.

We allow the combines to tell us what they will pay us for it. Yet, when you buy a sack of flour or rice, or any article from the merchant, you don’t teil him what you are prepared to pay for it.

He tells you what you’ve got to pay, and you pay, or go without.

Taking into consideration these facts, why not try the same method on him?

It will mean sacrifice on the part of the planter and his family, but he won’t be much worse off than he has been for the last 10 years.

Why not put it to the test? My idea is simply this: Stop selling your conra for six or twelve months, unless the buyer is prepared to pav you £l5 per ton on the place—never mind the grade.

Get what necesserv supplies you need before you stop selling; also, make your plantations feed you. Grow your own foodstuffs as much as possible. There are plenty of fruits, and fish can be caught, end most plantations grow their own cattle, poultry, etc.

Some planters will be unable now to cut all their copra owing to labour wages. Their best plan is to carry on as best they can, or stop producing. Those who can carry on with cutting should store copra wherever possible—in out buildings, or make native huts—anvwhere, so long as it is weather-proof. Hold it until that £l5 per ton is forthcoming, but don’t sell under that.

For this schema to work, each planter must get all possible co-operation from other planters, not only in the Pacific but. if possible, from all copra producers throughout the world. lam readv to stop selling at once, and I submit this scheme to my fellow planters in distress, hoping it will solve

the problem.

I am, etc..

Leatherneck.

Vanua Levu, Fiji, 15/7/’4l.