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Customs duties collected in Nigeria at the various ports, which are published in the Nigeria Gazette at the end of each month, we find that every large port shows a falling off as compared with last year, except one port-the port of Burutu. In fact, every port shows a falling off except Burutu and Akassa, and Akassa is also one of the Niger ports. Notwithstanding that, I am told that there are large stocks of trade spirits which are lying in certain districts on the Lower Niger because, as I have said, the natives will not buy them. Is it possible, then, that the trade of Nigeria can be carried on without trade spirits? It has been said by some people that it cannot be carried on without spirits. Perhaps the honourable member (Mr. Maidman) from the Niger, who is sitting on my right, might be able to give us an opinion on this subject. I am sure there is nobody more competent than he is to speak on the subject of the trade of the Niger, more particularly the Lower Niger, to which my remarks apply. Has it been the case that the native has been willing to carry on his trade-not, as previously, by bartering his produce for gin or to buy gin, but by selling it for cash? It may be asked how it is that, if the trade in spirits has fallen off in such a manner on the Lower Niger, the Customs duties col- lected at Burutu have not decreased. I am afraid that the answer to that question is that, although the spirits have not been sold, they are still being imported. On looking up the returns for the last ten months this year, I find that the amount collected on spirits at Burutu is, in fact, slightly higher than that in respect of the corresponding period of last year. As the duties were increased early this the

year, volume of the trade is not necessarily the same.

The second question to which I would venture to refer is one connected with our exports. Taking our present exports, and our potential exports, so far as we can see them, they all, with two exceptions, come under the category of raw material. There is one export, to which allusion has been made already in a different con- nexion, which does not exactly fall under the category of raw material, to which I would allude, and that is coal. I think we ought perhaps to take steps now in good time to consider this question of coal, to which, personally, I attach a great deal of importance. We hope that, during perhaps the closing months of next year-I do not think I am unduly optimistic in saying that--we may have sufficient coal at our disposal for us to sell some after supplying the large requirements of the railway, marine department, harbour works, etc. Well, I would suggest, sir, for considera- tion, that in the matter of coal, particularly in the matter of bunker coal-the Government is in a particularly strong position, because the coal belongs to the Government, and the Government can sell it as it pleases: our measures can be carried out without any legislative action-that, in regard to bunker coal especially, we should consider the advisability of adopting the same policy as may be adopted under the last paragraph of Clause IV. of Table B of the Paris Conference as to recommendations dealing with the ships of the Enemy Powers. I propose that the policy with regard to bunker coal should follow that policy, and that, during the period of reconstruction at least, a distinct preference should be given to the ships of the Empire first, and to those of the Allies afterwards. Later on, perhaps it may take some time, we will have more coal, and then, if we have any to spare, neutral countries can come in.

Your Excellency also alluded to the question of cattle, rather more in connexion with the consumption of our own cattle in Nigeria, but I believe, sir, there is a prospect and perhaps not a very distant one of our being able to export cattle. We know that the demand for meat all over the world is very much larger than the supply, and the export of cattle from Nigeria may become a very important ques- tion, especially as we are so near to the British markets. I would suggest, in con- nexion with the consideration of this question, that the export trade in cattle should be dealt with somewhat on the same lines as I have ventured to suggest in the case of coal.

*THE HONOURABLE MR. MAIDMAN:-Your Excellency and gentlemen: I am of the same opinion as the honourable members who have spoken before me, that most of the ground in this important discussion has been well covered by your own remarks. sir, with which I am, for the most part. thoroughly in accord.

+

Before passing on to the different points in your speech, sir, I should like to say a few words in answer to the Central Secretary as regards the increase of Custom duties received at Burutu during the present year. It is accounted for in many

* Substituted for the shorter speech delivered by Mr. Maidman.

ways, which

will endeavour to explain. The trade in the Niger has certainly increased during 1915 and 1916, partly, no doubt, with the absorption of trade which was formerly done by the Germans. On this account more goods were imported through the port of Burutu by the Niger Company and other firms trading in the Niger; also we had certain contracts to honour as regards trade gin fron Rotterdam, placed before duties were raised by the Government. A large quantity of this gin has been placed at our various trading stations, and advanced duty was paid on same, but the gin remains unsold unless we choose to sell at a loss, and 1 am given to understand that other firms throughout Nigeria generally have large stocks lying idle for the same reason.

You, sir, have mentioned about other imports taking the place of trade gin, which, although exported from Holland, is largely made up from material supplied from Germany. In this regard my own company has endeavoured to introduce to the Niger a cheap British whisky, which at first met with considerable success, but unfortunately the Customs have decided that this comes under the Trade Spirits Ordinance, and have recently advanced the duty against this, thereby killing a purely British industry, which in time, to my mind, would have ousted the German- made article altogether.

In returning to the speech you have just made, sir, the honourable member for shipping referred to British trade carried on in the colonies belonging to our Allies and neutrals. There may be other members present who can speak more authorita- tively on this subject than myself, but I do think that if the "open door" after the War is extended to our Allies and neutrals, that the facilities we give them should be accorded in a like manner to ourselves. I agree with the other members who have spoken, that German competition should be eliminated from the colonies altogether, but, if it is impossible to do this, some scheme should be evolved whereby preferential treatment should be accorded to British firms, and every encourage- ment given to them by the Government to develop. As regards our Allies, I have no doubt that some satisfactory arrangement of trading in each others' colonies will be arranged by the committee now sitting at home, but a very important point which has to be settled is the present position regarding neutrals.

As the honourable member for banking points out, neutrals in Nigeria at the present time are escaping all the extra taxation which is placed on a British firm. and if this is allowed to continue after the War British capital will be placed at a great disadvantage.

Germany's commercial success before the War was attained by the valuable help given by their Government, and various undertakings carried through by trad- Ing and shipping firms were subsidized in such a manner which guaranteed success. This is a point which I am sure will be taken into due consideration by the Home Committee of the Paris Conference, and Nigeria will benefit by any resolution passed which protects British capital and industry, I trust.

As you and others have admitted, sir, our present shipping line, Messrs. Elder Dempster & Company have generously shown their patriotism during this War and refrained from raising their rates unduly, when, owing to the monopoly they enjoyed, they might well have done so in conjunction with other lines operating in different parts of the Empire. Such consideration shown by this concern should, 1 think, be remembered when peace is once more restored, and if a competitive line to the West Coast of Africa is eventually started in the near future, I only trust it will be one which emanates from our Allies, and a French firm for preference, seeing they are so closely connected with the produce trade of West Africa as a whole.

In following the Paris Conference discussion in the newspapers at home, I notice that a suggestion was made that an all-British trade-mark should be regis- tered or printed on all class of goods manufactured throughout the British Empire. This is a move in the right direction, and would be invaluable in bringing before the natives of West Africa the importance of British manufacture and its superiority, compared with the cheap and flimsy character of the goods imported from Germany in the pre-war days.

Goods from the countries of our Allies could be imported under their regis- tered trade-marks. It would benefit Nigeria and other parts of British Africa if goods under these conditions were accorded facilities for importation, rebates given on shipping, and Custom dues, etc.

The development of Nigeria, as Your Excellency expressed, is yet in its infancy, and all members I am sure will agree with me that its possibilities are

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