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immeasurable. Why, therefore, should it not be preserved and protected for British enterprise, assisted by our Allies to such extent as they may care to enter upon. We should be in a position then, in no small measure, as far as Nigeria is concerned, in forcing Germany's hands, should they choose to commence a commer- cial war when this present conflict is over.
As Your Excellency has rightly remarked, you cannot altogether exclude nations like Germany and Austria from trade and commerce of the world, but we can take steps in our own colonies, where raw materials are produced, to protect these from being monopolized by German capital, as they practically were before the War, and the question is a very open one, that, if after this War we allow neutrals to trade in our colonies on the same footing as Britain and its Allies, Ger- many's influence would soon get to work through a channel of this kind. But with- out doubt points of this kind have already been anticipated by such a strong com- mittee as the one which is sitting under the chairmanship of the Right Honourable Lord Balfour of Burleigh.
In your speech you referred, sir, to your admirable policy of developing for local use local resources. You enumerated a number of undertakings which have been commenced by the Nigerian Government, amongst which was the felling of native timber for the manufacture of furniture. The thought has occurred to me that, with the large number of shooks which are imported into this country for the setting up of casks for the shipment of palm oil, that eventually some timber may be found which would prove suitable for this purpose. The local manufacture of staves for casks in Nigeria would, I am sure, be of great assistance to the trade of Nigeria.
In your yesterday's speech, sir, you referred to the tin industry in Nigeria. It is a pity that the honourable member representing the mining community has been prevented from being present. May I, therefore, be permitted to express one opinion on this important export of our Colony.
The production of tin this year has shown an appreciable increase, and there is every reason to hope that this will be more than maintained. I have heard it expressed by competent mining engineers that a great deal more tin could be won if the field was more systematically developed by the aid of the small settler, as is done in places like Australia and Rhodesia. It is a point which I briefly refer to with the hope that this can be confirmed by better authorities than myself, and in the event of this being so it would mean an additional source in helping to develop the wealth of this country.
Another matter which I should like to touch upon is the large trade which is done in hides and skins. At the present time the majority of these are I think being exported to America, the principal shippers being neutral subjects. Unless this trade is protected it is likely to be lost to the British Empire, which should be taken into consideration. It seems a pity that nothing so far has been done to teach the native the correct manner in which hides and skins should be flayed, and, as this trade is greatly on the increase, I put forward the suggestion for what it may be worth.
Speaking about this brings to my mind your reference to the Nigerian cattle for food purposes, sir. Both are closely connected with each other, and as I am given to understand that when the strain of the Nigerian cattle has been improved by the importation of suitable animals, the hump in time will be eliminated altogether, thereby making a hide much more valuable for tanning purposes than it is at the present time. It is too great a subject to enlarge upon at the moment, but the industry, if I may describe it so, is going to be an important factor in Nigeria one of these days.
I was at Zaria a few days ago and was very much interested when shown a piece of sugar, weighing about a pound, which had been produced by a small portable crushing mill from the native-grown sugar canes. As you know, in the north sugar is largely consumed by the Hausas generally, so perhaps in time this will prove another local product manufactured for local purposes. We might in time go so far as to export sugar if developed on a large scale and assisted by a cheap freight.
I also understand that experiments are being conducted by the Forestry Department at Illorin to grow leaf tobacco similar to that which is imported so largely from America. I am very interested in this. as I have seen samples produced which to all appearances are the same as the American-grown article. I have a quantity with me, which I am taking back to the Niger for distributior
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and trial. Throughout Nigeria exceedingly large quantities are imported, so if this could be produced locally it would prove a most valuable asset.
There are no doubt many ideas which could be advanced by the members of this Council for developing the resources of Nigeria if due time was given to them to prepare statements. I can only hope that some of the preliminary suggestions which have been put forth may encourage the committee at home to further invite our views.
You, sir, know as well as any of us present, the great future which is in front of Nigeria, and your own indefatigable efforts during your long career out here have laid the foundation of a country which I am sure we hope one of these days will be as self-supporting, alike to white and black, as Canada or Australia. Perhaps, with legislation, increased facilities will in due course be afforded which will attract the British settler, and vast tracts of the country which at the present time remain undeveloped will be systematically worked from an agricultural point of view, in a like manner as suggested previously with mining. We possess a country in the north admirably suited for European occupation on a large scale, with enormous resources only waiting to be developed on the same lines as laid down in other British possessions. By the introduction of machinery and agricul- tural implements the produce of the country could be greatly improved, and in this I refer particularly to products like palm oil and shea nuts. This was discussed at length by a committee which recently sat at home, supported by the evidence of some of our most experienced men from West Africa generally. The subject, as a whole, is a most inexhaustible one, and if enlarged upon by every member present our sittings would extend into many weeks. I am sure that everyone present will one of these days be able to look back on Nigeria with pride as a country which he assisted to develop so largely, and you, sir, especially, will have cause for great satisfaction in seeing the policy you have laid down during your tenure of office being enlarged on a scale of such magnitude which will place Nigeria as one of the foremost countries of the great British Empire.
THE HONOURABLE MR. BUCHAN :-Your Excellency: I feel that I must be guilty of reiteration, because, after listening to the excellent speech made by Your Excellency, I fear that the notes I have prepared have been forestalled in that speech in every direction.
The recommendations put forward by the Paris Conference cover all the points that are essential to recover and retain trade which has been lost during the War. So far as Nigeria is concerned, there are now export duties on her three principal products, and I suggest, if they are, as I understand, a war measure, that export duties should be imposed, after the War, on all produce shipped to the countries which are now neutral. There are huge profits made out of shipments of hides and
skins to America, and that is a class of products which remains untaxed.
I think, if exports are taxed, imports from neutral countries restricted, and mills erected in England for the purpose of dealing with the palm kernel industry, it will be of great benefit to Nigeria and keep the trade within the bounds of the British Empire.
THE HONOURABLE MR. MILLER :-I am in exactly the same position as the honourable member (Mr. Buchan) who has just spoken, in that all I have proposed to say has already been said by the previous speakers. I have, therefore, little to say, and I think all I can do is to say that I am in agreement with all of Your Excellency's proposals with the exception of one of them, and that is in connexion with the proposed policy of the
open door."
To a large extent, the German manufacture of goods imported into Nigeria consisted of cheaper imitations of the better class of articles which were originally imported from England, and I think something should be done in connexion with the tariffs with the view of preventing the further importation of such goods into Nigeria. It is not good for the community to go in for such cheap articles. After all, it pays one much better
to have the best article, even though it costs more than the inferior quality.
With regard to the trade in spirits. I must say that, personally, I agree with Your Excellency in all that you have said, and I certainly think that it would be of more benefit to the natives if the foreign imports of spirits were replaced by articles of British manufacture, which are more useful to them and more conducive to their interests and happiness.
HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR AND ADMINISTRATOR, Southern Provinces and Colony :-I think perhaps it is only right, if Your Excellency will allow me to make one remark, to say that it is unfair to members of this Council
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