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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. X. 



The nature and development of all industrial pursuits 

 depend, to a considerable extent, upon certain conditions and 

 economic principles which are largely independent of those 

 natural resources, the primary importance of which is so 

 obvious as to generally obtain for them a degree of regard, 

 even beyond what they really deserve. A due consideration 

 of those factors is therefore necessary to a right understanding 

 of existing industries ; and if they be overlooked and natural 

 resources only be considered, much misapprehension may 

 arise, of which some remarkable examples will be adduced 

 in the sequel. In order to discuss those principles fully, 

 much more space would be required than could be given 

 within the compass of this Paper, but it is necessary to review 

 them briefly in so far at least as they bear upon the course of 

 industry in this Island. 



It may be premised that in every community in which 

 agriculture is carried on, however primitive its constitution 

 may be, the cultivators of the land produce a surplus, of 

 greater or less extent, over and above their own primary 

 requirements. In other words, the produce of the land 

 exceeds, to some extent, the necessary consumption of the 

 labourers employed. The proportion of the surplus so arising 

 and the manner of its disposal are important factors in deter- 

 mining the development and progress of industry. The 

 former depends very much upon the natural resources of the 

 country and upon the local advantages it may possess, such 

 as facilities of transport, access to markets, &c. The latter 

 is dependent upon the character and aims of the ruling 

 powers, the disposition of the people, and the relations which 

 subsist between the workers and the powers that direct and 

 control their sinew. 



Wheresoever the surplus accumulates, and wealth accrues, 

 the fact affords evidence of the capabilities of the country ; 

 but, on the other hand, the absence of accumulated wealth is 

 no criterion of poverty of resource, inasmuch as the total 

 income may be, and not unfrequently is, consumed, either 

 by the State or the people, not in the necessaries of life, but 



