PART II.
THE CHIEF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS FOR WHICH A
SATISFACTORY MARKET COULD BE DEVELOPED IN EAST
AFRICAN TERRITORIES.
(Colonel R. B. Turner, C.M.G., D.S.0., Trades Commissioner for the
Union of South Africa attended for the discussion on this item.)
COL. TURNER said that there were very few openings in British
East Africa for raw agricultural products from South Africa; there
was a small but growing trade in fresh deciduous fruits, also in horses
and pure bred stock. Strangely, there was quite a fair trade in
ostrich feathers, which were imported into Kavirondo. There was
little hope of increasing the trade in agricultural raw materials to any
extent, but there was a considerable opening for manufactured
articles. There was a possibility of there being an importation of
fruit but Kenya regulations regarding pests and diseases placed
restrictions thereon.
THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) said that the Conference at a later
date would consider the question of legislation covering importation of
fruit.
Mr. SIMPSON asked what articles manufactured from South
African agricultural products were likely to be exported to East Africa.
COL. TURNER stated that the most likely were tobacco, jams,
canned and dry fruits and wines. After the war East Africa was
regarded as a sort of dumping ground for South African products; a
portion of a big consignment of wine imported then was still on the
hands of the importers and was being offered at 609, below cost.
This wine was in very bad condition and was giving South African
wines a very bad name. Steps were being taken to endeavour to
remove this consignment from the market altogether and to give
present day South African wines a chance. Very good reports had
been received regarding the dried fruit from Kenya merchants. With
regard to tobacco, Kenya was considered by the Tobacco Combine as
falling within the sphere of the Northern Hemisphere, and tobacco
was being mainly imported from factories in that zone. However,
there was an increasing trade in South African and Rhodesian
tobaccos and cigarettes. The shag trade at present was wholly in
the hands of Holland.
THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) asked if there was anything that
the Con'erence could do and if Col. Turner could give any information
regarding the ** Chapell ** Report. The question of reciprocity might
be considered by the Conference: South Africa had prohibitions
against Kenya produce.
COL. TURNER observed that the East African Dependencies
could not give preference to any Dominion so long as the Congo Basin
Agreement was in force. The Agreement was in force until 1929.
. THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) said that the Government of the
Union had prohibited the importation of Kenya maize on the grounds
of the presence of disease, and during a period of shortage of supplies
in South Africa it might be advantageous to both countries to obtain
maize from Kenya.
COL. TURNER, in reply to Messrs. Kirby and Simpson, stated
that there was no manufacture in South Africa of agricultural
implements and machinery suitable for export to Kenya, but that
South Africa acted as an entrepot for such machinery.

109