CO885-(26N14) — Page 30

1913...

1914

1915

1916

1917

1,800,000

1,440,000

1,160,000

814,000

+1

11

Taking the normal requirements at 1,400,000 tons there would be a shortage of Enlly 1,500,000 tons at the end of 1918. For agricultural purposes after the War it wonld be necessary to aim at obtaining the maximum possible supply for several years after the conclusion of peace. If it could be obtained, British and Irish, farmers could, it is estimated, atilise with advantage as mach as 1,600,000 tons of oil cake annually.

4

The following is a moderate estimate of the seeds which might be obtained under favourable conditions provided shipping were available :—

British Malay states Dutch East Indies Philippine Islanda Other Countries...

Total ...

Sood.

Oil Cake.

Tona.

Tons,

Palm kernels...

250,000

140,000

Copra ...

***

200,000.

80,000

Cotton-seed

HI

$00,000

480,000

Ground-nute...

260,000

150,000

Linseed

460,000

900,000

Other kinda

150,000

100,000

1,000,000

1,950,0011

On this basis the United Kingdom would still need to import 350,000 tone of manufactured oil cake, in addition to 1,900,000 tons of oil seeds.

Agriculture has suffered very severely owing to the shortage of feeding stuffs during the latter years of the War, and special and exceptional treatment is necessary in order to restore the livestock industry to its former position. Not only is this essential as an item of agricultural policy, but on wider grounds as a means of increasing the meat and milk supply of the nation from home resources, The supply of meat, milk, butter and cheese has been seriously diminished. The importation of a large supply of oil seeds is the most effective, and from a national point of view the most economical, means of restoring the balance. In addition to its direct effect on livestock, it also increases the general fertility of the soil and augmente the yield of crops. The minimum requirements of oil cake are 1,600.000 tons of which 1,250,000 tons night be provided by the importation of 1,900,000 tons of oil seeds and 350,000 tons by importation as manufactured oil cake. If the latter quantity cannot be obtained, it will be necessary to make an endeavour to import more oil seeds.

As regards the position of British and Irish producers of butter in the face of the competition of margarine makers, the demand for edible fats of all kinds after the War will be likely to absorb all available supplies, and one of the most effective ways of helping butter producers to regain their former position is the provision of ample supplies of feeding stuffs.

In the opinion of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland it appears to be absolutely essential that ample stocks of concentrated feeding-stuffs should be provided for the cattle-rearing and dairy industries in Scotland if these branches of agriculture are to be restored to a vigorous condition after the War. That Board are not, however, at present in a position to say whether the estimated quantities of oil seeds and manufactured oil cake mentioned above will be sufficient. They would wish to reserve a definite expression of opinion in this connection until they have had an opportunity of consulting the oil-crushing and feeding-stuffe firms in Scotland with a view to ascertaining their views as to the quantities which would be required for Scottish farmers.

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland concur generally in the views of this Board as briefly expressed above. They do not, however, concur in the proposal that the control of distribution should be maintained for some time after the War.

is

APPENDIX II.

(See paragraph 21.)

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

Imports of Copra.

1919.

1914.

1915.

1916.

Tone,

Tons.

Tone.

Tons.

24,001

32,307

29.198

31,97H

66.7L5

63,759

43,841

50,271

2,220

8,796

3,150

949

2,776

4,271

4,856

4,616

95,742

104,066

81,361

W7,857

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

Exports of Copra and Coconut Oil,

18.

194.

1915.

1918.

Copra Coconut oil

Tons. 92,099

Tons.

Tons

Tons.

115,760

77,881

79,008

...

6,799

7,125

10,242

8,901

36

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

885/26

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