Copra
p. 90 · Read in the full issue
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.
New Hebrides From a maximum of £7O/12/6 (Aust.), per ton, in IG4B, the price of New Hebrides copra recently firmed to around £5O (Aust.) per ton.
Western Samoa Canadian buyers recently were paying £53 (£66 Aust.) per ton in Apia for Samoan copra.
Territory Of Papua-New Guinea
ANGPCB Fixed Price. Delivered to Ship’s Slings:
All prices quoted are for copra delivered to ship’s slings, or to the Board’s warehouse.
Official Price for P-NG Copra sold in Sydney:
Australia has agreed to sell P-NG copra to the UK Ministry of Food for a period of nine years at fixed prices. For 1949 1 , the price will be £4B A«s. per ton. f.0.b., Territory ports; the price for each subsequent year will be adjusted by negotiation. (See article on p. 5.)
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 in March were:— No. 1 RSS, loose, 37Vi cents lb. (1/0.72d. Aust.) No. 1 RSS, baled, 37)4 cents lb. 1/0.68d. Aust.) No. 2 RSS, baled, 35% cents, lb. (1/0.04d. Aust.) No. 3 RSS. baled, 33% cents lb. (11.6 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 Plantation £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, 1945’ .. 49 10 6 49 5 0
Hot-air Smoked Jau. 7, 1947 .. . . £28 0 0. £27 0 0 June 17, 1947 ... £31 2 0 Nov. 23, 1947 ... £35 10 0 April 8, 1948 ... £40-£45 January 1, 1949: — Pt. Moresby . £48 0 0 £47 7 6 Samarai .. .. £48 0 0 £47 7 6 Madang ... £48 0 0 £47 7 6 Rabaul .. .. £48 0 0 £47 7 6 Kokopo .. .. £46 17 6 £46 5 0 Kavieng ... £45 17 6 £45 5 0
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 April, 1949 . . . £66 0 0 £65 7 6
Rubber
Plantation London Para.
Smoked Price on— per lb. per lb.
January 6, 1939 7d .. SVad July 7 7%d .. 8»/4d January 5, 1940 13d .. 11.6 7 /sd July 5 15d 12%d January 3, 1941 13d .. 12.47 7 /ed June 6 16y 2 d .. 13.5 s /sd October 10—Price officially fixed at .. 13%d
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 September, 1943 1/6% 1/4 1/2 September, 1944 1/6 % 1/5% 1/3% July, 1944 1/4% 1/3% 1/1%