World View Of

Copra

Plea For Lower Prices

From a Special Correspondent

London, Aug. 20.

THERE is little of interest I can write to you, as things are very upside down. The main difficulty to busi ness seems to be the currency question and how we are going to solve this is a bit of a problem. I cannot help feeling that in the long run we may get lower prices for produce, as one or two countries are trying to sell, but the consuming countries are unable to buy because they are short of currency.

It would appear that at the moment America holds the whin hand in finance, and it is up to the Americans to assist the world by a judicious handling of their financial position. However, one cannot see how prices of commodities'' can be kept at the present high level for any length of time if people have not the money to pay for them.

While I do not wish to see prices for such articles as copra down to the figure ruling in the 1930’5, I do feel that it would be better for all if the copra price came down to £2O/£3O.

At the present moment, I feel that most commodities are unduly high. This, also, m inclined to make the general worker a httie discontented, as he can get so little for his money, and if prices were to come down to a more reasonable level where he could get better value for his money, perhaps he would take a little more interest and put more energy into his work. Certain countries seem to want high prices, but I think, from the point of view of Europe, it is better to have a reasonable level of prices—not too high. .The production of copra in the Philip pines continues to improve, and increased allocations have been made this year The price ruling in February and March ln J he neighbourhood of 250 dollars f.o.b. To-day, there are sellers at 137 dollars, f.o.b.

The production in the Dutch East In dies has also increased, and the Dutch are now trying to sell copra to other have allocations from the lEPC of Dutch East Indies copra.