COTTON 155 



have had the effect of placing those who really took trouble 

 to keep their cotton clean on the same level as those who 

 handled it carelessly. Mainly owing to representations 

 from the Association, the Cotton Rules have been redrafted 

 on a better basis. 



The first record of exports of cotton from Uganda was 

 in 1904, when 54 bales were shipped. Since then the 

 industry has advanced by leaps and bounds, as will be seen 

 from the following statement showing the crop of each year 

 in round figures: 



1906 50obales. 



1907 2,000 



1908 4,000 



1909 5,000 



1910 12,000 



1911 20,000 



1912 29,000 



1913 26,000 



It is understood that the falling off in 1913 was due to 

 some mistake about the issuing of seed, and that for some 

 unexplained reason a large quantity of seed for sowing was 

 distributed too late. 



So rapid an increase in a new industry naturally caused 

 innumerable troubles, difficulties of transport, difficulties of 

 finance, and so on. Further, there was a large amount of 

 reckless competition, and the buying price was raised to 

 such a point that many of the buying companies lost money. 

 The Association did all in their power to promote a buying 

 agreement, for they recognised that in the long run inflated 

 prices would do no good to the industry. It is difficult for 

 native farmers to understand the fluctuation of price in the 

 markets of Europe, and they would certainly be discouraged 

 when the price had to be brought down again to an economic 

 basis. 



As regards financing, the Association gave all possible 

 help by very large loans to the British East Africa Cor- 

 poration and others, and they did all in their power to 

 ensure quick sales and prompt cash returns for any cotton 

 consigned to them. They also took up the question of 

 transport very seriously at the Colonial Office, and the 

 representations they made have been most effective. A 

 railway has been constructed from Jinja on Lake Victoria to 

 Namasagali on Lake Kioga, and there is now a better supply 

 of rolling-stock on the Uganda Railway and more steamers 

 and barges on both Lakes. The Government authorised a 

 loan of 500,000 for the construction of roads and the 



