Copra Grading In

Fiji

COPRA grading in Fiji—that perennial source of argument and vituperation —has broken out again. Now that Fiji finds itself suddenly and unexpectedly the chief copra producer of the South Pacific, the Government once more is trying to persuade the coconut growers that grading is all for the best.

Generally, the principle of grading seems to be approved; but there is a furious lack of agreement as to method.

The class who may be called the tough old planters object strongly to the plan under which the young men of the Department of Agriculture become the official graders. They say that grading by so-called experts, through eye and nose and touch, is not real grading; and why should the hard-working planter depend for his grade and price upon the personal copra predilections of Depart ment of Agriculture officials?

The Government, of course, asks the critics to name a better and more prac ticable system. The only way to correctly grade copra is to subject it to chemical analvsis—but such a process would be wearisome and expensive, and the system of grading bv expert officials works well enough elsewhere—in NG, for instance.

The “Fiji Times” has entered the lists with the reasonable argument that, as it is provided in the grading law that the oil expressed must not exceed 3 per cent, of free fatty acid, calculated as launc acid, some way of correctly ascertaining the free fatty acid content should be provided. “If”, says the newspaper, it was not intended to subject copra to a chemical analysis, it clearly was wrong to base the copra grade upon a specific reouirement.”

One sunnoses they will find a way out of the difficulty. For the moment, all that matters to the planter is that his copra is really worth something again, after all these years.

Mr. David Collins, of the British Colo nial Service, who was transferred from Fiji to the Gilbert and Ellice Colony (headquarters at Ocean Is.) last October, is in Sydney at present, awaiting orders.

Postal articles addressed to the follow ing residents of New Guinea (who are believed to be in Australia) have been sent to the “PIM” office. Union House, 247 George St., Sydney. If the gentlemen named will call or send their addresses, the articles will be forwarded. S. B.

Barker (Wau). Dr. Theodore Braun (Madang), J. D. Marshall (Rabaul), A. J.

Peadon (Upper Ramu).