THE COCONTJT BELT 43 



the coconut, and we understand that important 

 developments are now pending in the Moluccas, 

 whereby a large area of coconut land will be brought 

 under cultivation on the European system by an 

 influential group which has coconut estates in 

 various parts of the world and has recently acquired 

 the above-mentioned area from the Dutch Govern- 

 ment on very favourable terms. 



Hitherto these islands, being situated out of the 

 track of the great ocean trade routes between the 

 Far East and Europe, have not been recognised by 

 the world at large, according to their merit, and 

 consequently they have not developed with the 

 rapidity that their enormous resources would fully 

 justify. Despite this neglect, however, the Dutch 

 have made wonderful progress during the past 

 twenty years and are likely to continue their 

 forward policy. This isolation has naturally 

 affected the coconut industry, European capital for 

 planting purposes having flowed more freely into 

 Ceylon, Malabar, and other more prominent regions. 

 But with the improved health conditions through- 

 out these islands, the greater activity of the Dutch 

 Government and the Colonial Administration and 

 the ever-growing demand for the coconut, it is 

 practically certain that the coconut industry in 

 these islands will attract the special attention of 

 European planters, capitalists, and investors, who 

 cannot fail to be impressed by the eagerness of 



