vi COCONUT CULTIVATION 



for human consumption become proportionately 

 dear. 



That the outputs from present supplying areas 

 will be further restricted is known from the fact 

 that about half of present yields goes back into 

 the ground as seed nuts for new areas; a quarter is 

 used for local consumption ; and only the remain- 

 ing quarter is available for foreign markets. 



There is no other course open to the foreign 

 consumer than to protect himself against famine 

 prices by planting ab initio. 



Furthermore, be it noted, a paternal Govern- 

 ment now prohibits by law the Malay in the 

 Federated Malay States from parting with his 

 holdings as being against his best interests ; and 

 it is with great difficulty and uncertainty that a 

 property can be obtained in the Dutch Indies, 

 where the proposed owner must be a Dutchman ; 

 and in the case of a British company a directorate 

 in Holland is necessary. Much time is taken up 

 in securing the official signatures to a concession, 

 and until the Queen's seal is affixed to it, a Dutch 

 grant is said to be of little commercial value. The 

 country where the Government extends a hearty 

 welcome to the capitalist planter is British North 

 Borneo. Its possibilities as a coconut centre 

 are great, and are generally acknowledged to be 

 as good, if not better, than in any other tropical 

 country, the Philippines included. Land near 

 the sea, complying in every way with the require- 

 ments of the palm, is to be had on Government 

 grant at an annual quit rent of 50 cents = 1/2 per 



