THE PRICE OF COCOA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 9, 12 January 1915, Page 6

THE PRICE OF COCOA.

Amongst the 'various articles of produce which have shown a substantial rise since the war started cocoa figures are well in the front rank, in fact there has been an advance of about 8s per cwt. during the last week (states the London commercial record of December 4). Of course the various parcels sold for export may be for consumption in neutral countries, although it is rather difficult to see why the inhabitants thereof should suddenly display such •ia fondness lor what is considered by many as anything but a pleasant beverage. As to the nourishing properties of cocoa there can bo no two opinions, and it is all the more surprising that; considering it as a food as well as a. beverage, no embargo has been placed on exportation, and it would seem that the tea traders have a certain amount of reason for their complaints as to preferential treatment. Personally we could never see that to prohibit the export of such an article as tea could by any 1 possibility shorten the duration ol ' the war by a solitary day. Tea can--1 not be considered a munition of war ) (even that supplied at certain rail--1 way refreshment rooms which shall bo nameless) although in its green stage it is sometimes known as “gunpowder,” and every pound of I tea Germany received through neutral countries she had to pay dearly for, and where luxuries are concerned, and tea is after all a luxury and not a real necessity, every penpy drawn out of the enemy’s hands constitutes a gain for our side. When we come to real necessaries of life, actual munitions of war, or articles from which the same may bo manufactured, then of course exports must be suppressed ; with a firm hand, but let us be sys- ■ teraatic in our methods, and not ' strain at a gnat and swallow a camel, i hump and all. In regard to cocoa , there is now practically nothing offer- . ing at all; 'there will be no more Guayaquil of good quality this season I unless some of the interned vessels I are released, but we understand that 1 fairly large arrivals of Grenada are 1 expected shortly; of course it may he .that these lobs may be snapped up before landing, but pride invariably goeth before a fall, and the price is assuredly ‘high enough at-the present moment.