4 PART 11.
Mr. KIRBY stated that when natives had learnt through mutual
co-operation that ploughs were useful they would each wish to possess
one of their own. An interesting fact was that in the northern districts
of Tanganyika, ploughs were being used for harvesting groundnuts.
In bringing up the subject he had in mind a system of co-operative
credit which had been found very useful in the West Indies based
on the Raiffeiran system. He did not know whether anything of
that kind had been introduced into the East African territories.
Mr. WORTLEY stated that natives in Nyasaland had not formed
co-operative agricultural societies.
THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) observed that, in order to go as
far as Mr. Kirby had indicated, it would be necessary to pass legislation
dealing specifically with the activities of co-operative societies, largely
for the protection of the members themselves. He thought that those
who had been acquainted with co-operative movements must realise
the difficulty which had been experienced in practice in managing the
societies, many of which had come to grief in the first instance.
Personally he would not advise that co-operation along any very
extensive lines or involving the expenditure of very considerab.e sums
of money should be encouraged or promoted. Such agreements as they
might make among themselves, such as the common use of the plough,
might be a useful method of co-operation. Beyond that he did not
think that the African was ready for a co-operative movement at
present.
TOBACCO GROWING BY NATIVES AND ITS DEVELOPMENT
AS AN INDUSTRY.
Mr. SIMPSON stated that in Uganda there were considerable
tracts of land suitable for growing tobacco and the natives were
increasing their consumption. They were endeavouring to cultivate
a suitable plant for local consumption but were not, for the time
being, attempting an export trade as that would require a considerable
technical staff of Europeans. They thought that it would be a good
thing if the natives could be encouraged to learn something about the
proper cultivation and growing of tobacco, and he would be glad of
advice concerning the experience gained in. Nyasaland in this
connection.
Mr. WORTLEY stated that there would be some difficulty in
answering Mr. Simpson’s question if the information were restricted
to the growth of tobacco for local consumption. He, therefore thought
it preferable to give a short description of the present position in
Nyasaland. The native tobacco industry has expanded considerably
in recent years.
In 1924, 500 tons were produced by natives.
In 1925, 1,100 tons were produced by natives.
In 1926 over 1,600 tons, and it was estimated that over 2,000
tons would be produced in 1927.
The natives in Nyasaland had a great advantage. Tobacco had
been grown for many years by Europeans and many of the natives
now engaged in the industry were familiar with tobacco culture owing
to the experience gained as labourers on European tobacco estates.
In the Central Province the natives had received close supervision

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