205 
de Mocambique to settlers in its territory is also given: these 
include a labour bureau, a system of hiring out agricultural 
machinery, assistance in boundary surveys, provision of pack- 
ing materials for agricultural produce, the purchase of farm 
stock by instalments, and assistance in the sale of produce in 
Europe. 
Similarly the Companhia de Zambezia, with a view to 
developing tobacco cultivation in its territories, has instituted 
a scheme whereby settlers are provided with land, draught 
cattle, machines, drying stores, food and pay for native 
labourers, on condition that they grow tobacco on the land 
and pay interest at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum on the 
sum expended by the Company for their benefit. The Com- 
pany buys all the saleable tobacco produced, at the rates 
current for tobacco in Nyasaland, and is prepared to take back 
the farm animals and machinery, less depreciation at the rate 
of 20 per cent. on the initial outlay, when the contract expires. 
THE WORKING OF CREDIT BANKS IN THE NETHERLAND 
EAST INDIES. 
By H. CarpenTIeR ALTING, Batavia. 
(No abstract supplied by the author. ] 
[ Discussron. ] 
Sir James Witson: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen—Sir 
James Douie and I have had a similar experience in India, and 
I think I agree with him upon most important points, although 
there are some little details over which we might argue very 
hotly. But on this question of agricultural credit J agree with 
almost every word he has said. He has given you a very 
masterly exposition of the state of things in India, and his 
advice, I think, is very wise. I should like to emphasize one 
or two points. One is about the extent of State control which 
is required in tropical countries. Of course, things differ very 
much as between European countries, with intelligent popula- 
tions and a large body of trustworthy educated men, and 
countries like India and most tropical countries, where there 
is a very small proportion of the population who are sufficiently 
educated and trustworthy to conduct a movement of this kind 
apart from State assistance. In backward countries it is ex- 
tremely necessary that the State should control such a move- 
ment for many years, at all events, after its inception. After 
all, credit and other forms of co-operation also depend upon 
confidence. Confidence can only be acquired by providing the 
