CO885-(20-21) — Page 276

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.885

Reference :-

21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Miscellaneous

No. 250.

Printed for the Use of the Colonial Office.

MEMORANDUM ON COTTON-GROWING IN CROWN

COLONIES.

About 1902, the interest of the British Colonies in cotton-growing was suddenly revived. Lancashire was then suffering severely froni violent fluctuations in the price of cotton, caused partly by shortage in the world's supply and partly by American speculation based on that shortage. The Lancashire mills ran short time for considerable periods, and it was estimated that manu- facturers, spinners, and operatives in one year alone suffered a direct loss of £2,000,000, apart from the losses entailed on merchants and others indirectly interested in the cotton trade.

The question was perforce raised whether the British dominions could not be made to yield within a reasonable time a sufficient supply of cotton to reduce the chances of such crippling fluctuations in price, and eventually to satisfy from Imperial sources Lancashire's main demand for raw material.

The chief impulse came, as was only natural, from Lancashire. The British Cotton Growing Association was founded in 1902, and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1904, for the purpose of promoting and extending the growing and cultivation of cotton in the Colonies. Its charter did not exclude operations in India and Egypt. The Colonial Office from the first recognised the importance of the movement, as being calculated, in the process of supplying Lancashire's need, to create or revive an export trade from Colonies many of which were financially in none too happy a position. The Colonial Office and the Colonial Governments interested have throughout either directly co-operated with the Association, or have taken up the work on their own account, or in many cases have done both. The work of the Association is fully described in the annual and special reports issued by them. The following is a short account of the part borne by various Colonial Governments.

WEST INDIES.

The kind of cotton grown in the West Indies is that known as "Sea Island Cotton," a long-staple variety which Hourishes to the best advantage under the influence of sea air. It is not suited for inland areas. Hitherto the best qualities have been cultivated on the islands off the coast of South Carolina; other qualities are produced in certain districts of Florida and Georgia.

The Sea Island Cotton was re-introduced into the West Indies in 1903-4. It had been cultivated long previously in the West Indies, and was transplanted thence to islands off the coast of the Southern States of America. Since its re-introduction the area under cultivation has increased to about 30,000 acres. with an annual output of nearly three million pounds of cotton lint and six million pounds

(18769-2.) Wc, 9036-G 81, 50, 6/10. D & S.

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