CO885-(25-26) — Page 499

472

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

THELICO.

885/25

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

44

and small European population, as is the case in Rhodesia, it is usually difficult to secure, at any rate for some years after construction, a reasonable return on the capital employed on the building of new lines. The small volume of traffic makes it impossible to fix the rates at the lower levels obtaining in more settled and more populous countries, and the result is that production of materials which have to compete in the world's markets is hampered or insufficiently stimulated, while those who find the money for building the railways are apt to be deterred by popular agitation for low rates from risking further capital in the country, The position would be greatly relieved, fresh railway construction facilitated, and development generally advanced if the Imperial Government were to guarantee for a fixed period some interest on capital expended on approved developing lines. In a new country, also, it is most desirable that everything reasonably possible should be done to eliminate diseases constituting serious menaces to the building up of a large population, and to the establishment of industries connected with cattle, horses, and other animals. It is safe to say that this is fully recognized Very encouraging progress has been by the Government of Southern Rhodesia. made in connexion with the treatment and prevention of stock diseases, and, in proportion to the population of territory, the staff of veterinary experts is large.

With regard to human diseases, it is common knowledge that, as the country gets more settled, the people become more careful in their habits, live better, and In the Government schools in have greater powers of resistance to disease. Rhodesia practical instruction is given as to the dangers of, and prevention of, malarial fever, etc. Certain inquiries and experiments in regard to the question of the tsetse fly which had been resolved on, and were to have been undertaken in conjunction with the Administrations of neighbouring territories under Crown control, had to be suspended on the outbreak of war. but it is hoped that, on the restoration of normal conditions, this important work will be resumed, and that assistance. at any rate in the way of expert advice, may be furnished by the Imperial Government.

D. With regard to question (d)

To what extent and by what means the sources of supply within the

Empire can be prevented from falling under foreign control.

The answer to be given to this question would seem to depend chiefly on the adoption of a common policy by Great Britain and the Dominions. I have already indicated some means by which the Imperial Government could assist in preventing The resolutions of the the acquisition of raw material by foreign capitalists. Association of Chambers of Commerce of South Africa, quoted in paragraph 5 It may also be possible to insist on the compulsory above, suggest other means. marking of many kinds of imported goods with the name of the country of origin. 7. In conclusion, I can say with confidence that the general sentiment of Rhodesia is entirely in favour of supporting and co-operating in any procedure which may be adopted by the Imperial Conference with a view to making the Empire more self-supporting and protecting its industries against penetration by German capital. It would be a source of great gratification to the people of Rhodesia if, in the event of any overseas representatives in addition to those of the Dominions and India being invited to attend the proposed Conference, Rhodesia itself could be allowed to send her own representative. In any case it is hoped that the suggestions made in this despatch may receive consideration, and may be taken as evidence of a desire to promote the objects which His Majesty's Government have in view.

I have, &c.,

The High Commissioner for South Africa.

His Excellency

F. D. P. CHAPLIN,

Administrator.

The Right Honourable Viscount Buxton, G.C.M.G..

&o.

&c.,

&c.,

Cape Town.

45

RHODESIA Munitions and RESOURCES Committee.

MEMORANDUM,

SETTING OUT THE VIEWS AND Recommendations of tHIS COMMITTEE regarding the DESPATCH FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES DATED 25TH

SEPTEMBER, 1916.

FROM paragraph 4 of the despatch we note that a Conference will be con- veneu representative of the United Kingdom, the Dominions, and India, and that the Secretary of State for the Colonies will represent the Colonies and Protectorates.

We urge that consideration be given to the appointment of a Rhodesian repre- sentative.

We support and are in full sympathy with the recommendations of the Economic Conference of the Allies.

Enclosure 2: Question (a).

The following list gives the economic mineral products of Southern Rhodesia: Regularly exploited :

Gold. Silver. Lead.

Copper.

Coal.

Chrome ore.

Exploited but irregularly:

Tungsten ores. Antimony ores.

Arsenic ore.

Tin ore.

Asbestos (chrysolite).

Precious stones. Limestone.

Fire clay.

Clay (for brick and cement).

Iron stone (as a flux).

Paint material (ochre, etc.). Nitrate.

Decorative stones (marble).

Discovered in some quantity but requires exploitation:

Molybdenite.

Barytes.

Magnesite.

Pyrites (as sulphur ore). Talc.

Tantalum ore.

Amphibole asbestos.

Abrasives (corundum and garnet). Graphite.

Iron ore. Salines.

Southern Rhodesia is the largest producer in the world of chrome ore.

It promises to be one of the most important sources of the world's supply of asbestos.

The bulk of the copper produced in Southern Rhodesia is, owing to lack of facilities in Great Britain, shipped to the United States for refinement.

The following list gives the chief economic vegetable products of Southern Rhodesia :-

Grown in sufficient quantities for export:

Maize.

Citrus fruit. Tobacco.

Dahl beans. Ground-nuts. Sunflower seeds.

Proved to be suited to the country, but not yet grown in sufficient quantity for

export:

Fruit other than citrus. Kaffir corn.

Buckwheat.

Onions. Castor-oil beans. Linseed.

Believed to be suited to the country, but still in experimental stage:

Cotton.

Chillies.

Chicory.

Oil seeds, such as sesamum and

Niger oil seeds.

Cassava.

Fibre plants, such as Mauritius

hemp, ramie, sunn hemp.

In addition to the above there are considerable areas of timber suitable for various purposes.

Cattle ranching has proved highly successful in Southern Rhodesia, and we recommend investigation and organization of this industry, with a view to exporta- tion of meat and its by-products.

D 2

.