Copra

Effect of Jap Invasion

rE invasion of New Guinea by the Japanese, and the general dislocation of Pacific shipping, have caused an unforeseen situation in relation to the copra market in the South Pacific.

There now has developed in Australia a sharp demand for copra, for soap making and various other purposes; and, because of the conditions referred to, it has been impossible to meet this during the past month.

It is not possible to make the details public but it would appear that Australia now is capable of absorbing all the copra available in Papua, Solomons, New Heb rides and Fiji, if there are vessels available to carry it. .

At the same time, owing to the occu pation of the Philippines by the Japanese, the United States have had to look else where for the considerable supplies of copra which they need; and as communi cation with the Dutch East Indies (where there is much copra stored) is interrupted, there is naturally a demand in North America for whatever supplies are avail able in the South Seas.

It is impossible to say at the moment, however, that this situation is likely to react for the profit of the copra-grower or merchant, because there is every in dication that this now vital copra trade will be controlled by the Allied Govern ments, in future, as an essential part of the Allied war effort.

That is all that it is possible to say at the moment.