Uropeans Giving Up

Nc Coffee Industry

From Our Noumea Correspondent L/fORE Europeans in New fl Caledonia are giving up their coffee plantations to Javanese r native planters.

Javanese get the plantations on a isis of two-thirds of the crop for lemselves and one-third for the uropean landowners.

For the native planters things are Dt quite so good, the division being 1-50.

In 1954, the value of coffee exports as 10 pc higher than in 1953. This Dwever, was due to higher prices ither than to increased production.

Nearly half the output came from native producers.

Of the 1850 tons (approximately) produced, 1,336 tons was Robusta and 522 Arabica. The price for Robusta was 70 francs a kilogram and for Arabica 90 francs. These high prices were due mainly to crop failures in other producing countries, notably South America.

Although New Caledonia’s coffee had a reputation for high quality, the standard is slipping. Recently the return on an acreage basis has not been good

Among travellers to Papua-New Guinea from Sydney per "Bulolo" in June were (left to right): Mrs. J. M. Graham of Sydney, who was farewelled by members of her family as the left to visit her son, Mr. C. G. Graham of Steamships Trading Co., Samarai. Miss J. Pennefather, of Tokua Plantation, Kokopo, NB, who was seen off by Mr. J. Houstan and Mr. J. Swilk.

Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Ainsworth, who returned to Lae after leave. Mr. Ainsworth is attached to Department of Works there.