WEALTH IN THE TROPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18942, 13 February 1925, Page 9

WEALTH IN THE TROPICS

EMPIRE'S GREAT ASSETS. NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT. LONDON. Jan. 30. The Secretary for tho Colonies, Mr. Amery, in appealing to London business men for funds to help in tho development of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture at Trinidad, pointed out the possibilities of enormous wealth accruing to the Empire from the training of planters and farmers, and tho translating of research into practical developments in the tropical regions of the Empire. The Colonial Office, be said, was considering tho whole question of training its agricultural officers, beginning with a course at Trinidad, which was destined to become the centre of inspiration to the whole Empire, especially regarding the technology of sugar production. The success of this college would probably inspire the initiation of similar colleges throughout the tropical Empire. The United States, continued Mr. Amery, possessed many such colleges because it had wealthy business men's support. There was no reason whv the application of scientific results at Trinidad should not breed enough millionaires to support similar colleges in all tropical parts of the Empire. Sir Arthur Shipley, the well-known tropical agriculturist, referred to gifts by the colonies, tho Imperial Government, and private firms, including £20,000 worth of machinery from manufacturers, also £IOOO a year for five years from the trustees of the International Health Board, to found a professorship of tropical sanitation and hygiene.