N. Guinea Copra

Pool

No More Payments Unless War Compensation Paid

BETWEEN the time that the New Guinea Copra Pool was formed, and its operations ceased, as a result of the occupation of the Territory by the Japanese, the Pool handled approximately 20,000 tons of copra and distributed to the growers thereof an amount equal to about £4/10/- per ton.

Many New Guinea planters who de livered copra to the Pool believe that they are likely to receive an additional sum at an early date by way of a distribution from the Pool. But, we are informed, there is very little likelihood of that. The belief that substantial sums were accu mulating in the Pool for distribution was based on reports that certain classes of copra were sold in Sydney and elsewhere at fantastic prices soon after the Japanese invasion.

But it appears that none of the 20,000 tons handled in the Pool received the benefit of these high prices. The best price at which copra was sold by the Pool was £9/10/- per ton. And, we under stand, that there is no margin of profit between the £4/10/- already paid to growers and the final average price re ceived by the Pool.

But the Pool lost a great deal of pro perty especially copra when the Japanese occupied New Guinea, and a claim for compensation amounting to £90,000 has been presented by the Pool to the War Damage Commission. The managers of the Pool are confident that most of this claim will be met. It is understood, however, that the War Dam age Commission will make no payments until after the war.

In the opinion of one man who knows something of the inside workings of the Pool, the position is that those who de livered copra to the Pool can expect little, if any, additional payments between now and the end of the war; but if, after the war, the War Damage Commission meets the claim that has been lodged, pro ducers may expect additional sums equal to at least £2/10/- per ton for all copra delivered.

No statement showing the financial operations of the Pool, and how funds have been disposed of, is available, and it is not expected that anything will be available for some time to come.

Two cousins, members of a family well known in the Central Pacific, are together in a prison camp in Germany.

They are: J. D. Whitcombe and D. S.

Whitcombe. The latter is a son of Mr.

J. D. Whitcombe, Snr., who is now an Auckland resident, but who spent 30 years of his life in Tonga and Fiji— mostly in the service of the Tongan Government. Others of this family are also members of the fighting services.

On the motion of the president, Mr. A.

E. Stephen, the Pacific Islands Society, at its February meeting, passed a vote of sympathy with the Governor-General of Australia (Lord Gowrie) in the death of his son, on active service; and with the widow and family of Mr. Raphael Brudo, of Papua, a member of the Society, who died in January.