Copra

Prices During World War Ii

The copra market was controlled by Govern ments from outbreak of war in 1939 until the end of the war in 1945. Controls are still being exercised in the post-war period.

London Fixed Price, per ton, c.i.f., Plantation Hot-air:

From January 1, 1949, the British Ministry of Food is buying Fiji copra at a fixed price. For each subsequent year until the end of 1957 the price will be adjusted by negotiation, but will not be more than 10 per cent, higher or lower than the preceding year.

New Hebrides From a maximum of £7O/12/6 (Aust.), per ton, early in 1948, the price of New Hebrides copra has firmed to around £5O (Aust.) per ton.

Western Samoa Canadian buyers are paying £53 (£66 Aust.) per ton in Apia for Samoan copra.

Territory Of New Guinea

ANGPCB Fixed Price, Delivered to Ship’s Slings:

(According to quality) All prices quoted are for copra delivered to ship’s slings, or to the Board’s warehouse.

Official Price for NG Copra sold in Sydney.

Papuan Rubber Prices

During World War 11, Papua’s rubber pro duction was controlled by the Australian Govern

ment. The fixed prices paid at plantation, per lb. (Australian currency) were:—

Current Rates Since the price control on rubber was lifted, most Australian trading firms are using the Singapore day-to-day quotations as a basis when buying Papuan rubber. The Singapore Exchange gives buying prices for four grades and average rates ruling have been:— No. 1 RSS, loose, 36 7 / 8 cents, lb. (1/0.66d. Aust ) No. 1 RSS, baled, 36% cents lb. (1/0.55d. Aust.i No. 2 RSS, baled, 35% cents lb. (1/0.2d. Aust.) No. 3, RSS, baled, 34% cents lb. (11.88 d, Aust.)

October, 1939—January, 1940 Sterling . £12 7 6 January-April, 1940 13 5 0 After April, 1940 . . 12 17 6 Fiji Local Buying Price in Store, Fiji Currency.

June, 1942 Plant’n £16 0 0 £15

Fms

0 0 July. 1942 16 12 6 15 12 6 June. 1944 19 10 0 18 0 0 October, 1944 .. 20 0 0 18 10 0 December, 1945 .. 19 7 6 17 17 6 January, 1946 .. 18 5 6 18 0 0 August, 1946 .. 23 10 6 23 5 0 February, 1947 . .. 29 15 6 29 10 0 June 9, 1947 .. 36 19 0 36 13 6 December 8, 1947 . 38 5 6 38 0 0 March 15. 1948 .. 46 5 6 46 0 0 January 1, 1949’ .. 49 10 6 49 5 0

Jan. 7, 1947 ..

Hot-air Smoked .. £28 0 0 £27 0 0 June 17, 1947 . £31 2 0 Nov. 23, 1947 . £35 10 0 April 8. 1948 . . £40-£45

Hot-air Dried Smoked January, 1947 . .. £36 10 0 £35 10 0 July. 1947 . .. .. £51 5 0 £50 5 0 April, 1948 . .. .. £61 0 0 £60 0 0

Rubber

Plantation London Para.

Smoked Price onper lb. per lb.

January 3, 1936 6%d .. 6%d June 5 9d .. 7>/ 4 d January 8, 1937 1/2 .. 10V 2 d June 4 lid .. 9 5 /ad January 7, 1938 7*/ 4 d .. 7d July 1 , 6 3 /id .. IVtd January 6, 1939 7d .. 8Vsd July 7 . 7%d .. 8V4d January 5. 1940 13d .. 11.6 7 /ad July 5 . 15d .. 12%d January 3, 1941 13d .. 12.47y 8 d June 6 IGVad .. 13.5 5 /ad October 10- -Price officially fixed at .. 13 3 / 4 d

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 September, 1943 . 1/6% 1/4 1/2 September, 1944 . 1/6 y 2 1/51/2 I/31/2 July, 1944 1/4V2 I/31/2 I/I1/2