ENG-1953 — Page 101

PRODUCTION

Plasticwares. Thirty factories employing a total of over 800 workers are represented in this section of local industry, but only two are engaged in modern methods of production. A very wide range of products is available-toothbrushes, mugs, plates, combs, coat hangers, cigarette cases, electrical fittings, signboards, chopsticks, poker chips, toys, etc. Exports during the year were valued at £302,899, and the main markets were Malaya, Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma and Thailand.

Sugar refining. There are four sugar factories and refineries in the Colony, employing a total of over 500 workers, but the only large scale refinery is that of the Taikoo Sugar Refining Company Ltd., which was established in 1884. From raw sugar obtained principally from Mauritius it produces light quality refined sugar, granulated sugar, crystals, half cubes, brown sugar and golden syrup.

Miscellaneous. Other local industries which employ sub- stantial numbers of workers are mining and quarrying-2,000; wearing apparel, footwear (other than rubber), and made-up textiles-3,900; wood and cork manufactures (other than furniture)-1,400; printing, publishing and paper dyeing-5,800; chemicals and chemical products (other than paints and lacquers)-2,000; clay, pottery, abrasives, glass and glassware-

1,700.

Co-operative Societies

Fish Marketing Organization. In 1945, Government set up a Fish Marketing Organization to control the transportation and wholesale marketing of marine fish. The main aim of the Organization is the provision of orderly and efficient transport and marketing facilities so that fishermen may receive a fair return for their produce and so be encouraged to increase production. The Organization is self-supporting and has been so planned that eventually it may be taken over by the fisher- men and run as a co-operative enterprise.

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