Produce Prices
p. 109 · Read in the full issue
(Unless otherwise stated, quotations are in Australian currency. Australian dollar (April 20) iquals New Zealand, $1,002 (buying), $0.9980 selling); Fiji, $0.9662, $0.9504; Western amoa, $0.8132, $0.8019; US, $1.1934, $1.1886; IK, 45.7875 np, 45.5373 np; French Pacific, 10.06 FP francs, (selling only); Tonga, $l.
Copra
Copra industries are controlled through copra cards m NG, the Solomons, the GE IC, both arrroas, Fiji, Tonga and the US Trust Territory, lew Hebrides, the Cooks, French Polynesia and lew Caledonia don't have boards and copra is ither sold individually by growers to overseas uyers or used for local making of soap, etc.
The boards were born after World War II nd their functions, which vary among terri jries, include orderly selling overseas, main lining stabilisation funds, raising government avenue and developing copra on long-term ases.
NEW GUINEA: The board, with planters' eps, directs distribution and sales and pays lanters. Shipments are made to UK, European larkets and to Australia and Japan, and coco ut oil mills on New Britain.
Latest prices, delivered main ports, were: ot-air dried, $lO3 per ton; FMS, $lOO per on; smoke-dried, $9B per ton.
FIJI; —The board fixes prices on Philippines opra, taking into account freight, taxes, selling osts, shrinkage, etc. Prices recently were: st grade, $71.75; 2nd grade, $61.75, CAS, 140.25.
WESTERN SAMOA: The board makes pay tents to producers through its agents—local irms—and sells the copra on the open market rith a portion to Abels Ltd., NZ. Recent irices: Ist quality, $84.10; 2nd quality, 170.40.
TONGA: All copra is sold to the board rhich sends it to Europe and the ooen market. Recent prices to growers were Ts7o st grade, and TssB 2nd grade, per ton. er coconut 1.2 c.
SOLOMON IS.: —All production through board t prices based on Philippines rates. Output oes to the UK, Japan, Australia and the rest o the open market. Recent prices were: Ist rade, $65; 2nd grade, $6l; 3rd grade, $5l er Ton, BSIP ports (Honiara, Yandina and lizo).
GILBERT AND ELLICE—2£c per lb (Ist grade); c per lb (2nd grade).