CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4] — Page 21

19

:

1875

this year, though I do not anticipate any marked measure

of success. Even if successful the inhabitants of the New

Territories are not likely to substitute largely the culti-

-vation of cotten for that of the rice and vegetables which

constitute part of the food supply of the Colony. If they

did so and the entire cultivalable area of the Territories

were devoted to cotton the annual supply derived from them

would not be more than the 20,000 bales of 400 pounds that

the one Cotton Spinning Mill of Hongkong can work up inte

yarn in the year. If cotton were extensively grown in the

New Territories its cultivation would, however, spread

over the Kwang Tung Province. In that event the cotton

spinning industry here, which at present gets its raw

material from India, would probably greatly develop. This

would not, however, assist the Lancashire Mills and so

would not effect the object of the Association referred to

in Mr. Lyttelton's Despatch No. 34 of the 25th. January,

1904.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

M. Hatton

Governer,

800..

3.