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Forest Flora of Portuguese East Africa. 
CHAPTER VI. 
Recommendations Concerning Utilization. 
I MMEDIATELY after my return to Lourenzo Marques from my journey through Gaza, M’Chopes, Inharreme and Inhambane, I submitted to the Provincial Government a 
general report on the economic conditions which attracted my attention in these districts, and on my return from Zambesia I submitted a further and somewhat similar 
report on the general conditions prevailing there. . . 
These two reports, which cover the general ground rather than the purely forest aspect, contain a good deal in reference to the Province which is not otherwise 
included in this work, so I have considered it advisable to introduce them here in full, followed by such further recommendations as may appear necessary, finding that nothing 
stated in these reports requires alteration or qualification after several months fuither study of the subject:— 
Report on the General Economic Conditions in the Districts of Gaza, M'Chopes, Inharreme, and Inhambane. 
Reprinted from “ 0 Futurof Lourenzo Marques , July 18 , iqo 8 . 
“The economic development of the Province of Mozambique depends on many problems so intimately interdependent that for general purposes they must be considered 
together rather than separately, though each may be specialised afterwards. In the small portion which I have seen so far, viz.: — the neighbourhood of Lourengo Marques and 
the coast districts from the Limpopo to Inhambane, the following general features struck me. 
(a). The happy , contented , loyal , industrious , agricultural, native population. — Forming as it does in some districts the total population, in all others almost the total, this 
factor is, I consider, the one of first importance. Without the settled and friendly relations which exist between Government and population, agriculture or any other 
culture or development would be practically impossible, and in this matter the position as compared with the British portions of South Africa where influence from 
England often affects local action, and leaves the native in a position altogether unintelligible to him, is all in favour of the Portuguese method in which the strong 
but gentle hand is recognised as all powerful. Possibly the natives are naturally more agricultural, more peaceable, and more industrious, than those in the other 
South African Colonies, but it is the fact that the Government has here a better nucleus from which to develop an actively productive native agricultural community 
under European management than exists elsewhere, while at the same time settlers and concessionaries have the necessary labour available at easy rates for whatever 
they may take in hand. The position thus is practicable of having large producers or Companies working side by side with native growers, and each able to obtain 
satisfactory results. The exploitation of large areas, — probably whole districts, by means of native producers, in such manner as to produce much more than the 
local requirements, of material having value elsewhere, requires earnest consideration and assistance. But this brings along with it the fact that: — 
(b). Better transport arrangements ate necessary . — The country already produces much that might be exported were transport available; since transport is not available 
all surplus (and probably more) is converted into fermented liquor for local consumption, and against the public good. The Inharreme River forms a waterway of 
great value, but at present it leads to nowhere. Were this connected by rail with one or both of the neighbouring ports an export of produce in addition to or 
instead of an export of men would certainly result. Considering the level nature of the country, the sandy soil, and the low local value of labour, I consider light 
development rail tracks, even without engines, would be of high value as feeders to a main line. 
(C). Each locality requires separate consideration — Geographical position, soil, climate, available transport, and the local cost of labour, all tend to render impossible any 
general treatment, and this is accentuated when the northern sections of the Province are also considered. In each of the districts I have seen there are immense 
possibilities, practically in every portion, but the crops and the treatment differ sharply within very short distances. 
(d). Lourenfo Marques. -There is scope for an immense development in this district in the direction of providing winter supplies and early crops to the Transvaal and 
other South African Markets, as well as for the better supply of the local market. With a climate capable of carrying Garden crops which are impossible in most 
parts of the Transvaal during winter, and for which demand exists, it seems strange that these should be practically absent. In Natal there are growers who send 
