i'ki:sii)K.V'ri.\i. addkkss — skctiox .\. i^ 



say that, considered as an investment of capital, it is, therefore, 

 the one that l)ays the best returns. 



Of the whole tonnage dealt with at Lourenco Marques, that 

 same year. 682,000 tons were in transit, and only 30,000 tons were 

 destined for local trade, which shows the unriuestionable regional 

 function of the harbour that, it must be noted, is becoming ever 

 more important on account of the rapidly increasing export of 

 Tran'^vaal coal and the re-exportation of Mozambique products' 

 from the more northerly ports of the Province. 



Some conclusions may already be arived at as to the specific 

 feature which the economical function of this harlx)ur imprints 

 on this place. Not having its own industries, the reason for 

 I.ourenco Marques's ocmmercial existence lies only in its port's 

 traffic ; it is therefore quite natural that not only the affairs of 

 the community, but also the physiognomv of the town must be 

 influenced by the circumstances under which that traffic is carried 

 on. As most of the navigation lines that call at this Port are 

 foreign, and the shipments consigned to a foreign country, no 

 wonder that shipping and forwarding agents are also foreigners, 

 as well as the numerous staff em])]oyed by them ; this is why the 

 ])rincipal trade of the town is in the hands of foreigners. 

 Attracted bv such an important Ixjdy of foreigners, people of 

 other nationalities are carrying on retail businesses, small indus- 

 tries and other vocations. This circumstance is the source of the 

 accentuated cosmopolitanism that prevails amongst us, and blots 

 out from the general outlook of the town as well as from the 

 habits of its people, the national cachet that is to be met with in 

 other Portuguese Colonies, excepting those few where identical 

 circumstances are in force, as, for instance, the town of Beira. 

 The welfare of the community depends, in fact, upon the foreign 

 clientele of the Harbour, which, offering unequalled materia' 

 advantages, and affording every facility for the quick and easy 

 despatch of goods, might hold its own and help the rapid de- 

 velopment of the town, were it not for the competition of rival 

 ports trying to deviate, for own profit, the Inilk of the traffic 

 which has naturally gravitated to this harbour. 



Competition being a striking feature of modern life, it is no 

 matter for surprise if we see ev-ery effort being made to flivert 

 and secure the benefits that accrue to a foreign harbour, although 

 this may be the easiest and most accessible maritime gateway to 

 the interior. 



It must, however, be saifl that trade once following its 

 natural course can only be deviated towards a less convenient 

 route by means that, in many cases, are anti-economical. 



The rivalry among .South African Ports in respect of the 

 competitive area traffic brought about the Mozambique Cijnven- 

 tion, a treaty that provided for the division of the seaborne trade. 



It must, however, be admitted that this agreement has failed 

 in achieving its purpose, and that the true interests of the hinter- 



