SYRIA AS COTTON AREA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 138, 13 June 1929, Page 27

SYRIA AS COTTON AREA.

FRENCH AND NATIVE ENTERPRISE

To all appearances there is going to be a new cc lion-producing country. Prior to his return to Syria, M. Ponsot, French High Commissioner, gave expression to the hope that the country would be politically quieter now, so that projects necessary for its economic development might be put into execution. In particular he referred to the expansion of the cotton-growing industry. To judge from the Syrian Press, this was no idle talk, but covers a welldefined project. The plain of El-Umak, stretching along the shore of terranean and covering an area of 2oU,uuu dunums—approximately 01,000 acres—is to be drained and put under cultivation Primarily cotton-for which this area is said to'be eminently suited—flax ana fruit are to be grown. • Of water, a first consideration lor agriculture in the East, there is plenty. The drainage works art estimated to cost about £500,000 and are to be carried through within the space of tnree years. Preparing the soil for eultn ation will take another three years. Three thousand workers, for whom special quarters will be built, will be employed on these works. _ . . ~, Sakkur Pasha, a Syrian, will he granted the concession, it is reportea. The area surrounding Latakm, the capital of the Aluite State, where the Fiei ch are establishing a small harbom, also is to be put under cultivation foi cotton just as soon as the harbour works are completed. The airdrome for the Mar seilles-Svria Line is also to be erected at Latakia. Moreover, the bank Euphrates River, which cuts right across French mandated territory, and wlucn in ancient times was noted for its i tility, is to be irrigated and • again put under the plough. Here, too, in the nrst instance, cotton will be grown. _ Reports are current in Syria, for wnicn there is as vet no confirmation, to tne effect that the concession for these works will be awarded to a French concern.