That Iniquitous Mof Copra
p. 85 · Read in the full issue
Contract
Letter to the Editor IN the oversea news of Sydney Morning Herald on May 20 appeared an item that the British Ministry of Food had increased the price of household fats, margarine, etc., by fourpence per lb.; or £37/6/8 Stg. per ton, equivalent to £46/13/4 Aust.
As the prices by the British Ministry of Food at ports of shipment for Pacific Islands copra is not much greater than this amount, planters will be justified in think ing that this may portend a big increase in the MOF price to them.
One is inclined to speculate that the MOF has repented of its evil ways and has decided to compensate planters for the price shortcomings of the iniquitous MOF contract—in particular, to do the decent thing and allow them the benefit of the revaluation of sterling. This re valuation of sterling is now coming home to roost so far as the cost of production of copra is concerned. Prices of calicos, tinned meats for rations, copra bags, machinery and equipment, etc., are sky rocketing. Rice is up another £8 per ton.
A recent news item stated that Canada was compelled to buy copra from the Philippines, no Empire copra being available. This is symptomatic if what happens when bureaucracy takes charge of commerce. Before the war a steady trade with Canada was being built up for Pacific Islands copra. The MOF contracts mean that Canada must seek fresh sources of supply, or purchase copra from the MOF. In the latter case it is heavy odds on that they will not be able to purchase on anything like the same advantageous terms as the MOF.
I am, etc.,
Mug Planter.
Editorial Note:: During the past two months, the price of copra, in European ports, has fluctuated between £llO and £145 Sterling per ton. But under the MOF contract the British Socialist Government, by the trick of devaluing Sterling over 30 per cent, in relation to the dollar after the MOF contract was made, is paying the South Pacific planters only about £55 Sterling per ton.
Mr. K. H. Grove of the Methodist Church in Tonga, was attending the Methodist General Conference in Adelaide, SA, in May. He said that the Methodist Church in Tonga has 26,000 members.
A passenger to Sydney by Qantas flying boat in early May was Julian Toganivalu, a 19-year-old Fijian who was on his way to the United Kingdom to enter Sand hurst—the first Fijian ever to do so.