66 THE GOLD COAST 



the ports of shipment from the growing districts will be 

 facilitated by the construction of a short railway, which 

 it is contemplated making from Accra, and until this is 

 ready the carriage by head-loads, cask-rolling, and motor 

 lorries will probably continue. The presence of the 

 " tsetse " fly throughout the growing districts prevents 

 the possibility of draught cattle being used. 



A system of pooling purchases was agreed upon some 

 years ago by a number of leading shippers, in accordance 

 with which competition among themselves was sup- 

 pressed, and a fixed price was to be given for all cocoa. 

 This action was doubtless taken in order to prevent 

 ruinous competition, but had the effect of checking im- 

 provement in the quality, as no encouragement was given 

 to the planter to prepare the cocoa with greater care. The 

 few shippers who did not join in this " combine " were 

 enabled to obtain the better qualities at a very slightly 

 enhanced price. In 1906 the general quality of Gold 

 Coast cocoa had so deteriorated that the merchants were 

 asked by the Government for their assistance to improve 

 it. This led to an inquiry which revealed the state of 

 affairs mentioned above. The obvious remedy of paying 

 a price according to quality did not find favour with the 

 combine, who appear to have argued that it would not 

 profit them to pay a higher price for the small variable 

 lots of improved produce which might result. It was 

 stated by some of the local merchants in Accra that 

 Gold Coast cocoa was generally suitable for sale in 

 certain European markets, where it was adapted for 

 the manufacture of a cheap form of sweetmeat, and 

 that, if the quality were improved and the price raised 

 in consequence, damage would be done to a new and 

 rapidly growing trade. The merchants ultimately agreed 

 to endeavour to improve the standard of quality, and it 

 was arranged that all the cocoa brought in to the markets 

 at Aimensa and Dodowa should be graded, with a view to 

 regulating the price according to grade. This plan fell 

 through at the last moment, as a test sample of picked 

 cocoa was said to have been priced at only Is. 6d. per cwt. 

 over ordinary " Accra " in the European market. The 

 fall in the value of the residue was said to be uncom- 

 pensated for by the small increase mentioned. 



Improvement of Quality. Inquiries conducted by the 



