COCOA PLANTATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 7

COCOA PLANTATIONS.

ANGLO-FRENCH COMPANY FORMED. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. LISBON, 26th March. An Anglo-French company, with a. capital of £6,000,000, has been formed to purchase the Portuguese cocoa plantations in Sao Thome and Principe Islans. It will offer the owners 60 per cent, in cash and 40 per cent, in shares. [The conditions of labour on the islands has been a subject for warm condemnation. One-fifth of the world's supply of cocoa comes from Sao Thome and Principe. The plantations are cultivated by imported black labour, chiefly from Angola. A report made by Mr. J. Burtt was submitted to the British Foreign Office, and afterwards published in 1908, stating that thousands of labourers were taken by force to the islands, and that in practice no attempt was made to secure their repatriation. As a result of these statements, the leading British cocoa manufacturers commissioned Mr. Cadbury to visit the islands, and on receiving his report at the beginning of 1909, they announced that they would purchase no more cocoa from Sao Thome and Principe until the labour abuses were removed. Their example was followed by some of the largest manufacturers in America. The facts were brought before the notice of the Portuguese Government, which, in July, 1909, suspended recruiting in Angola for three months, and in the meanwhile drew up regulations for its conduct. Sir Edward Grey, in addressing a deputation, on Ist July, 1910, said that *' the regulations were so framed that if they were effectively carried out, they must put a stop to the abuses which had previously existed, but, of course, what they all desired in these things was not regulations, but results."] We specialise in^Roslyn Pure Wool Unshrinkable Flannel and Underwear, "Delta" finish, for men, women, and children. Wellington Drapers. — Advt. Tenders will be received by thß Commercial Agency, Limited, Wellington, up till noon on ltt April, for. the purchase of ft ftujttfcty pi luesdi ftnd jt'fiS&dj.