169 
The quantity of kernels or palm oil brought in by the natives 
seems to depend very largely on the facilities of communication, 
and wherever such facilities have been improved either by means 
of railways, improved roads, or by water, an increase in the amount 
of kernels or palm oil reported has quickly followed. 
In Sierra Leone the wastage of fruits appears to be due to the 
sparseness of the population, but in the other Colonies it is without 
doubt owing to difficulties of transport. 
The Acting Governor of Sierra Leone reports as follows :— 
“Traders buy as much palm oil as is brought to them by the 
natives, and consequently the supply is never equal to the demand. 
In some parts where the palms are very thick, it is probable that 
all are not utilised on account of an insufficient population, The 
District Commissioner of the Panguma district reports that ‘there 
are now sufficient palm trees to meet all possible demands for many 
years to come.’ ‘The District Commissioner of Sherbro states 
that “the population of the two districts is not sufficient to handle 
adequately the produce abounding in the country.” This shows 
that the reason why the full benefits are not derived from the 
existing supply of palm oil and palm kernels is one of sparseness of 
population but not of want of willing buyers ” (Haddon Smith). 
From the figures given under the heading ‘ Exports’ it will be 
seen that the completion of the railway in Sierra Leone has had a 
marked effect on the export of palm oil and kernels from the 
olony. 
According to the report from the Gold Coast it appears that 
only a very small proportion of the Oil Palm products is exported. 
“ All the palm oil and kernels brought to the various markets are 
readily purchased by the mercantile community. quantity of 
the oil and kernels is utilised by the natives as food and for 
lubricating purposes, but by far and away the largest quantity is 
left to decay on the trees. I am inclined to think that not more 
than one-tenth part of the products of the Oil Palms in this Colony 
finds its way to the export market. 
“The chief reasons why this industry has not been increasing of 
late years are :— 
Ist. Low price paid for the products. 
2nd. Transport difficulties. 
3rd. Lack of machinery. 
market, he only realises about one-third of what he did 20 years 
ago. The result is that the farmers are leaving the palm o 
industry and planting cocoa. ae 
“It requires two carriers to convey the products which one man 
can produce, so that only one-third of the products that could be 
grown is grown ; the consequence being that, with the fall in prices 
of palm oil, the farmer is unable to pay the carriers the same rate 
of pay, and as the carriers will not work for less, but are asking for 
