How Our Copra Reached

The Huns

MUCH copra, in increasing quan tities, was finding its way from the South Pacific territories, a year ago, to Japan; and thence, it was sus pected. it was going via the Russian railways, to Germany.

So, early in 1941, Britain forbade the export of any more copra to Japan; and a flourishing industry died.

It is interesting to learn that a some what similar position developed in the Philippines Japan was buying Philip pines copra furiously, and it was supposed that the product was going quickly, right across Asia, to our main enemy. Here are official figures, from Manila, showing total nurchases of copra and coconut oil by China. Japan and Russia, in the months of January and Februarv. The figures show value, and are pesos:— 1939 177.012 1940 1,200.915 1941 1,563,983 There can be little doubt about what was happening. Britain was alreadv dis playing the liveliest interest in the Philip pines situation (Philippines, being neu tral, did not object to sales to Germany), when the whole situation was resolved by the German attack upon Russia (June. 1941).

Since then, of course, the road to Ger many has been closed; and, now, Japan shows no special eagerness to buy copra from Philippines, or anywhere else.

Mr. P. R. Osborne, of Cuthbert’s Misima Gold Mine, Ltd., Misima Island, Eastern Papua, is at present in Sydney on fur lough. with Mrs. Osborne and their daughter. He is a former well-known resident of Port Moresby.