474
1
a
48
Rhodesia before the War imported considerable quantities of goods from enemy countries. In most cases these goods were purchased from other countries, either because they were not manufactured in Great Britain or owing to prices being too high, and frequently on account of the impossibility of getting a reasonable early delivery owing to strike troubles.
It is for the British manufacturer and workman to remedy this state of affairs, assisted, where necessary, by legislation framed for special industries, and, if neces sary, by Government subsidies where required.
It should be brought to the notice of British manufacturers that in Rhodesra and South Africa generally German firms, prior to the War, built up large busi- nesses in certain articles by means of consignment stocks. They were particularly enterprising in this direction, and, as far as we are aware, without suffering any loss.
German trade has been largely built up by the support of banks, and we believe that industrial banks are necessary to assist in the development of British trade.
To prevent dumping, or any other unfair mode of competition, it is essential that the country of origin of all imported goods should be known, and we advocate legislation on the lines of the resolution passed by the committee and forwarded to His Honour the Administrator on the 23rd of August, 1916, which reads as follows:-
**
That, with a view to preventing the general use of enemy goods after the War, the Administration be approached with a request that legislation be introduced requiring that every foreign-made article imported into Rhodesia should, wherever practicable, bear a mark showing its country of origin. The mark should be conspicuous and indelible, and its removal, covering over, or defacement, should be punishable by imprisonment of the offender and confiscation of the goods."
It has been resolved by the committee that the following be added to the above resolution:-
"It should be made illegal for any manufacturer to place on goods manufactured within the British Empire the name or trade-mark of com- panies or individuals registered in foreign territory."
Question (c).
To what extent and by what means the resources of the Empire should,
and can, be developed.
The Rhodesian Government and the British South Africa Company should do everything possible to foster all productive industries and to help in establishing such on a solid basis. The production of raw material should be stimulated in every way possible. Our Government should be assisted, if necessary, by the Imperial Government, and everything possible should be done to promote the extension of our railway systems and other means of communication throughout the territory.
A thorough investigation of all the resources of the country is urgently required.
A considerable amount has already been done in this matter by this com- mittee, but its work is very much hampered for lack of funds. The lines on which such industrial research should be carried out are those on which the Industrial Research Committee of the South African Union are working, and to prevent overlapping there should be, as far as possible, co-ordination between Rhodesia and the Union in their research work.
This committee could carry out a good deal more work than at present if funds allowed the employment of a permanent paid secretary.
In conjunction with this, much more scientific investigation than is being carried out at present is required. As an instance of this we would mention the advisability of investigating the economic possibilities of indigenous plants. Means whereby this might be carried into effect were suggested in our Interim Report of June, 1916, page 28.
Travelling and research scholarships granted to various universities and technical colleges would help in the development of the Empire's resources. Those
to whom they were awarded should conduct research in Rhodesia as well as else- where under responsible heads, and the reports of their work should be available for general information.
49
It is of the utmost importance for the development of the country's resources that cheap transport rates should be available by land and sea, and we strongly urge the establishment of such, by subsidy if proved to be necessary, particularly during the period when any industry is in its initial stages of development and requiring fostering.
The development of our base metal and other industries is retarded by many difficulties experienced in commercial investigation and the lack of knowledge of overseas markets. A central bureau of information might well be established in Rhodesia to give information on all points connected with the working and sale of economie products. We suggest that one or more scientifically trained representatives of the Imperial Institute be appointed to deal with this matter in each Dominion, Colony, or Protectorate, and the salaries of such men might be borne jointly by the Imperial Government and the Colonies they are appointed to It is urged most earnestly that steps be taken to secure for all European children a liberal measure of science in their education. It seems abundantly clear that of the various advantages enjoyed by German and other foreign, over British, industrialists, the chief is their scientific habit of mind, and, born of this, their better methods of organization, standards of labour, and discipline.
More should be done towards promoting the training of the natives by the establishment of industrial schools and other means, so as to make them of greater use as unskilled labourers for the growing industries of the country, which, without their labour, could not possibly become successful. In this cheap, unskilled labour we have a great and not yet realized source of strength and wealth, for good training ought to improve all native efficiency by seventy-five per cent., and the gain to the country would be enormous.
It is of vital importance to the whole of Africa that the ravages of the tsetse fly should be checked and some means found to prevent this deadly pest from spreading beyond its existing boundaries. A most thorough and complete scientific investigation should be put in hand and continued until the evil is eradicated or until some form of treatment is devised which will prevent the fatal effects to man and animals following infection from this scourge. This is a matter of real urgency to Rhodesia.
An employment clearing house for the colonies should be established in Great Britain, where employers of labour in the colonies could apply, when their requirements could not be niet locally, with the certainty of being able to get what they wanted, e.g., the trained organizer, the scientific workman, the skilled artisan, the shop assistant, clerical assistant, farm labourer, or whatever form of labour is required. Special care should be taken to examine into the credentials of every applicant and only first-class men recommended.
14073
(No. 32.)
SIR,
No 13.
UGANDA.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 16th March, 1917.)
Government House, Uganda, 29th January, 1917.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular despatches of the 25th September and 24th October, 1916,* requesting the views of this Govern- ment on the recommendations of the Economic Conference of the Allies held at Paris in June last, and on the subjects of reference to the Commercial and Industrial Policy Committee.
I.-RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE OF THE ALLIES.
Section A.
2. This deals with measures to be taken during the period of the War, with regard to which this Government receives instructions from the home authorities.
* No. 1, and 45879: not printed.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
İC.O.
Reference :-
885/25
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
H