Directory_and_Chronicle_1935 — Page 1713

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BRUNEI

AGRICULTURE

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Rubber, Sago aud Rice are the chief agricultural products of the State.

The area under rubber is estimated to be about 9,000 acres of which some 4,000 acres belong to European companies and the remainder to Asiatic smallholders. The export increased from 1,473,829 pounds in 1932 to 2,270,249 in 1933 and the total value of the rubber exported increased from $104,899 in 1932 to $236,249 in 1933.

The area under Sago is estimated to be about 5,000 acres. It is mainly cultivated by the natives and has proved a most valuable reserve of food not only for the native population but for alien coolies employed on estates. The amount of Sago flour exported in 1933 differed little from that exported in the previous year, but the value of the exports showed a considerable decrease. The figures are 5,125 piculs to a value of $4,524 in 1933 as against 5,148 piculs to a value of $8,508 in 1932.

In many respects rice is the most important crop in the State. The area devoted to its cultivation is greater that that under any other crop; its culture is the chief industry of the native population, and it provides the staple food of the great majority of the inhabitants. The total acreage under rice cultivation in the State in 1933 was approximately 8,255 acres with a yield of 1,023,960 gantangs as against 12,000 acres with a yield of 991,223 gantangs in 1932. Of the 1933 figures 4,835 acres with ayield of 573,856 gantangs were under dry padi and 3,420 acres with a yield of 450,104 gantangs under wet padi as against 7,000 acres and 5,000 acres with a yield of 536,927 and 454,296 gantangs under dry and wet respectively in 1932.

COMMERCE

The aggregate value of trade for the year 1933 was $4,620,805 as against $3,935,985 in 1932 and $2,695,805 in 1931.

Imports.-The total value of imports was $2,411,768 as against $2,430,247 in 1932 a slight decrease. This decrease in value is partly due to lower prices of commodities. Noteworthy increases were recorded in provisions, sarongs, tobacco, machinery, fuel oil and miscellaneous. Decreases in value were found in rice, although the quantity imported increased slightly, petroleum, motor vehicles, and coin and bullion.

The large decrease in motor vehicles was due to purchases made by the Oil Company in 1932. The cars were still serviceable in 1933. The large building pro- grammes of both Government and the Oil Company caused 2,324 tons of cement to be imported valued at $33,253.

Exports. The total value of exports for the year was $2,191,037 as against $1,505,738 in 1932. Greater exports of crude oil and plantation rubber were responsi- ble for the increase. Decreases were shown in most other exports. The low prices prevailing made trade in these commodities uneconomical.

The total revenue derived from Customs Duties amounted to $178,266 for the year 1933 as compared with $152,969 in 1932.

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