Copra Prices

May Be Less

British Ministry of Food has in formed Australia, Fiji and NZ that, “on account of the downward trend of oil prices during 1952,” the 1953 contract price will be reduced by the full 10 per cent, allowed under the contract.

All three countries are strongly opposing the reduction. Despite re cent fluctuations, world price is still above MOF contract price.

The MOF officials, however, may try to force a reduction on Australia on the ground that too large a pro portion of the New Guinea copra is poor quality smoke-dried. One of the largest Pacific shippers replied to this last month by offering to pur chase all New Guinea smoke-dried, for shipment to Canada, at the last MOF rates.

Xmas Box For Planters

All P-NG planters who supplied copra to the Copra Marketing Board in the year ended June 30 last are to receive, in addition to amounts already credited, another £2/10/- per ton, as a result of a squaring off of accounts by the Board.

In Lae, New Guinea, in mid-No vember, District Commissioner Niall, on behalf of Acting Administrator Cleland, presented the MBE, awarded for distinguished service in develop ing the Territory’s resources, to Mr.

Michael J. Leahy. Mr. Leahy, in cidentally, still is carrying on his campaign against the plan to build a bridge across the Markham at Mark ham Point—he contends that, from

the developmental point of view, this would be a major error. When he found that officialdom was obstruct ing his arguments in what he felt was an unfair way, in October, he walked out of the Morobe District Advisory Council. Mick always was a fighter.

The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Ignatius Doggett with Archbishop Marella, Apostolic Delegate, who installed him as Prefect Apostolic of Aitape, New Guinea, at Mary Immaculate Church, Waverley, Sydney, in November. —Photo Courtesy Catholic Weekly.