Copra Planters Could be

Co-Operation In S. Pacific

Urged, Because—

Copra Planters Could be in Trouble after 1937

With the MOF Copra Agreement less than three years to run, and the free world price of copra declining, all interested British countries in the South Pacific should unite to organise a selling organisation to come into operation after 1957.

THE initiative has already come from planters in Papua-New Guinea where their represent atives in the P-NG Legislative Coun cil in March, urged the Australian Government to invite other in terested Governments, such as Fiji and New Zealand, to join Australia in discussions.

It is realised that any discussions and any organisation that might be set up subsequently, would have to be on a Government level. Many planters in P-NG have already ex pressed the fear that British pro ducers of copra might again become the victims of the Unilever com bine when the present arrangement ends.

Mr. B. Fairfax Ross, a nominated member of P-NG Legislative Coun cil, who is also President of the Papuan Planters’ Association, said growers had to decide whether to continue with bulk marketing after 1957, or to sell individually.

There were grave dangers in the individual system—dangers that the price would revert to the weakest seller. Mr. Ross said many planters believed it a good idea to retain the present Papua-New Guinea Copra Marketing Board, with government backing.

He was supported by Mr. Bob Bunting, another nominated mem ber, and by Mr. Don Barrett, elected member for the New Guinea Islands, who is also president of the New Guinea Planters’ Association.

Mr. Barrett suggested a meeting of all copra producers in the Terri tory to find a common ground on which to establish the future of the industry. He said his Association was at present conducting a survey of the opinions of all its members and the results would be sent to Canberra.