Copra Price in French

Oceania

REPLYING to complaints by the New Caledonian representative in Paris CM. Roger Gervolino) that France was paying a much higher price for copra imports from the Philippines than from New Caledonia or the New Hebrides, the Minister for Overseas Territories stated:— “The price of Pacific copra is fixed for Tahiti on ruling world market prices.

Supplies from New Caledonia are i per cent, lower, and from the Hebrides per cent, lower than Tahitian. This corresponds with the practice before the war. If one considers the Philippines price as constituting the world price, it is still wise to follow with reasonable prudence any sudden rise in order not to be caught by any sudden slump likely to dislocate Pacific economy. The de partment increased the price of Tahitian copra from 4,750 to 6,000 francs last November, and again to 8.100 francs on January 1. Afterwards the price of Philippines copra climbed to 235 dollars.

The department refused to follow this T, lse I?, Oceania believing it excessive, and f he l Philippine price had. in fact fallen l*ist May to 160 dollars (apparently F. 0.8.).