Tahiti Copra Price

FROM a correspondent in Tahiti:—“The December ‘PIM’ contains a grave error, on page 5, under heading, ‘French Copra.’ The figures quoted are the price per kilogramme, not the price per pound. Our last actual realisation figures gave us a return of Frs. 2,810 per ton of 1,000 kilos, or approximately £2O (Aust.) per metric ton. Owing to unfor tunate contracts, we are not getting any where near to-day’s market value. The speeding-up of production can only lead to one thing—bad copra—and we are be ing penalised on nearly every shipment on this account.”

Various concessions given to copra producers in Fiji when the copra indus try was depressed, about two years ago, have now been withdrawn. Copra plant ers—except in special cases of hardship, are now to pay all the usual fees and licences in connection with the use of commercial motors, use of firearms, dog licences, residential tax, and telephone rentals.