Copra’S High

Value

Malayan Was Over £100 per Ton In July

From a Special Correspondent

London, July 16.

THE Copra market here has been all over the place.

Philippines copra, after having been very firm during the early part of the year, shows signs of easing off. The price in the Philippines at the time of writ ing is 260 dollars FOB (£AB6) while about six weeks ago it was quoted 310 dollars (£AIO3). At the moment there are still certain sellers of Philippines copra at to day’s price.

The typhoon that hit the Philippines last Christmas was apparently the cause of the firmness during the first half of this year. Lots of trees were damaged and the supplies that have come in have been pretty small. It is expected that de liveries will increase from now onwards.

The Dutch East Indies have shown a small increase in production over last year.

There has been quite a business doing in Straits copra the last month or so.

Singapore is now a free port and this copra can be shipped from this teiritory without any restriction as to destination.

The prices ruling have been fairly high.

To-day the price is round about £95 (£A118). Clf. European ports. During April-May it was in the neighbourhood of £B4/£B5 (£AIOS/106). At the moment the Straits copra market seems a little quieter, in sympathy with the lower irnilippines market.

South Sea Copra.—We have heard rumours that there may be some relaxa tion of control. We should imagine, how ever, that the Australian Government will control the selling, although they may give producers possibly a little more freedom.

Mr. R. W. Robson, editor of the “Pacific Islands Monthly,” paid a short visit to Fiji and Norfolk Island in August.