JuiY 1, 1901.] TiiE TEOPICAL AGRICULTUJKIST. 
THE CEYLON TEA CESS FUND. 
We have been compiling some figures for 
our Handbook in reference to the above 
Fund and the outlay by the "Thirty Com- 
mittee " which may be of interest to plant- 
ing readers. The Cess Collection was pro- 
vided for by Ordinance No, 4 of 1894--an 
Ordinance to provide for the continuance 
of the Export Duty on Tea levied under 
Ordinance No. 15 of 1892. The collec- 
tion commenced the next year and, so far as 
we can make out, the total collection up to 
the end of 1900 was R3, 1-10,333; but of this 
R155,799 up to the end of October, 1894, was 
taken for the Chicago Exhibition, leaving 
R2,98^,534 to be dealt with by the " Thirty 
Committee." Up to the end of 1897, their 
outlay was R575,141; during 1898 it was 
R531,344 ; in 1899 it equalled K726,799, while 
it rose to Rl, 069,209 last year, and yet ap- 
parently, so far as we can judge, there 
should be a balance of R82,000 over on 1st 
January last ? We make the total receipts 
to be .« .„ .» R2,984,534: 
Against disbursements ... R2,902,493 
Balance — ... R82,041 
Of special interest is it to know that the 
total of votes for America would seem t» 
be Rl,421,255 or not far short of £100,000, 
or between 400,000 and 500,000 dollars. For 
Europe altogether, including Mr. Rogivue's 
votes, the total would seem to be about 
Rl,033,950. 
The total votes for Russia, eo far as we 
can judge, amount to R275,957 and for the 
rest of Europe, including the Paris Exhibi- 
tion, R757,975. Very likely some corrections 
may be necessary on our figures ; but we 
think they should be found to be at least close 
approximations. 
Now, the point is what have we got in 
return for nearly £100,000 spent in America. 
It is true, as some one has said, that 
Canada should not be taken so much into 
account, because the people there were bound 
to become more and more customers for 
Indian and Ceylon teas. It was the United 
States that had to be fought for, and all we 
need say now is that if there had been no 
"subsidising" — partial and more or less myster- 
ious — but open frank advertising of a good 
article, with "demonstrations" at all State 
Exhibitions, we cannot believe that more cus- 
tomers for our teas, and permanent ones 
too, would not have been won, than by the 
policy actually pursued. We know adver- 
tising was partially tried, chiefly through 
dealers — so gaining a temporary trade in our 
teas; but the object should have been to 
gain the notice of the masses in the way 
in which every great advertiser with a good 
article goes to work. 
TRADE IN CEYLON : COLOMBO 
AND GALLB. 
We have received the following remarks on 
the present condition of Ceylon trade, more 
especially among the natives, which come to us 
from a correspondent at the leading port of 
the South : — 
"Thearlicle on Madras steamer freights repro> 
duced from the Madras Mail in the Observer of the 
24th ult. affords some interesting information re the 
cute Bombay trader. Ic appears he has encroaclied 
on the Piece Goods trade of the Madras Presidency; 
and in Ceylon, too, we find the same element in 
active competition with the ubiquitous Moorish 
trader. The latter complains that he can make no 
profit on his cotton goods, although he imports them 
direct from Europe, so long as the Bon)bay trader 
can afford to undersell hini. It was thought ak 
one time that inferior goods, unsaleable in Bombay, 
were sent to Galle ; but the secret leaks out now. 
' J W explains that the Dealers' Association'con- 
tract price from Manchester to Bombay is 10s fld 
per ton measurement with ten per cent primage. 
With such cheap freight, the Indian merchant is 
well able to secure a margin, notwithstanding the 
additional expense entailed on re-shipments to 
Galle or Colombo. 
"The Maklive Islands' tradci which was formerly 
in the hands of the Moormen and gave them very 
lucratiTC returns, is now monopolised by Bombay 
capitalists. These latter have their representa- 
tives in Galle and Colombo, and carry on an ex- 
tensive business in coconut oil, Bombay flour, curry- 
stuffs, etc. 
" Since the Indian coasting steamers commenced 
to bring regular supplies of rice from Calcutta 
and the coast, the Chittagong rice trade has been 
extinguished. The Chittagong crafts traded re- 
gularly between that port, Galle, the Maldives, 
and Calcutta, and found here a ready market for 
their rice and paddy — but at present the grain 
trade is mostly in the hands of Chetty firms witk 
agencies in all the principal rice ports, who effectu- 
ally combine to discourage outside competition. 
" Another feature of local trade is, that of late, 
with the acquisition of capital acauired during 
the plumbago boom, Sinhalese dealers have en- 
tered into keen competition with the Moormea 
and Parawas in the retail shop-keeping line. 
" It is obvious therefore that our friend, the 
Tamby, is being gradually ousted from many of his 
happy hunting grounds. Even the trade in pre- 
cious stones which has enrichod so many Moor 
dealers is doomed — if the large finds of rubies and 
blue sapphires reported as having been discovered 
in the United States and Canada prove to be equal 
to the Ceylon specimens." 
With regard to what is said above w« 
have made enquiries in a reliable quarter and 
have found everything that is said confirmed. 
What is stated is only too true. Freight! 
from Manchester to Bombay are a half, or 
a third, of what we have to pay to Ceylon, The 
quantity sent out to the former place being so 
enormous, the rates are low, and thus the 
dealers have a pull. With regard to remarks 
about the local trade and Sinhalese deajers 
having entered into keen competition, as a 
result of the plumbago boom at Galle, 
the same may be said of Colombo. During 
the last year or two, travellers for 
European houses have come to Colombo in 
large numbers, showing samples through 
native agents, and taking orders for quan- 
tities of goods far in excess of what th« 
market could take off. 
We understand that the Banks in London 
are much to blame for granting facilities for 
