Copra

Possibility of a New Industry

rpHE world outlook generally indicates J. that the market for copra should remain sound and firm for a con siderable period.

The two main copra-producing terri tories of the world—the Philippines and the Netherlands Indies—are still suffering the after-effects of the Pacific war.

Conditions are rapidly returning to normal in the Philippines although there are hints of insurrection in the interior of Luzon and similar places— and it is likely that the Group’s huge production of copra will be resumed at a fairly early date. Trading relations between the Territory and the US, how ever, are likely to continue close for a considerable time. Before the Pacific war it was supposed that when the Philip pines had gained full independence in 1946. the US market would be closed to certain of the nrimary products of the Philippines, including copra. However, the Pacific war has altered all that—it seems likely that the original indepen dence plan will be carried out according to timetable: but it Is equally likely that the US will be eager to import every available ton of copra for at least three or four years. In other words. It is not likely that there will be much surplus copra from the Philippines for the hungry European market.

The other large producer of copra, the Netherlands Indies, is torn by civil war. and until these internal disturbances have been cleared up it i? unlikely that the Territory will resume its customary enor mous production of copra. This In turn will tend to leave the European markets bare.

Production of copra in New Guinea, which might have been dT some assist ance to Australian consumers, has been disorganised and delayed by the Aus tralian political lunacy which insists upon regarding primitive New Guinea as a place where “the natives must be pro tected against the exploitation of the white man.” A few New Guinea planta tions have been taken over again by their owners, but for the most part they are neglected or are being looked after in a casual manner bv emnloyees of the Pro duction Control Board.

The Solomon Islands, once a consider able producer of copra, also is under some sort of Control Board, and is mak ing very slow progress towards normal.

There is very little news to hand about what is happening there. Some reports say that Levers Pacific Plantations, Ltd., will make no serious attempt to re-estab lish their plantations in the Solomons.

MEANWHILE, there has been an in teresting development in relation to the copra industry generally.

Research work during the war estab lished the fact that the “milk” that is expressed from the freshly-grated coconut has a very high vitamin content; and already one hears that in different parts of the world this product of the übiquitous palm is being canned.

Keen interest in the possibilities of making use of the coconut in this way has been evinced in Britain and in the US, and it would not be surprising if something along these lines were attempted in the Pacific Islands.

Flying-Officer H jorring (RNZAF), member of an old Levuka family, has been awarded the MBE for his services at Base Workshops an the Pacific.