BRITISH COTTON-GROWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20228, 12 April 1929, Page 11

BRITISH COTTON-GROWERS.

SUDAN, INDIA AND IRAK.

GREAT PROGRESS NOTED.

LARGE AREA CULTIVATED.

(Received April 11. 7.55 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, April 50. The progress of cotton-growing in (lie Sudan, India and Irak is discussed in a preliminary report issued by Sir William Hamburg, managing director of the British Cotton-Growers' Association, who has just visited those countries. Sir William says the progress made in Gezira iri the last three years has been enormous It reflects great credit on the Sudan Government, An area of 130,000 acres is under cotton of the Sakel type. At the research station in the Sudan some splendid results have been achieved.

Referring to tho association's estates and ginneries at Khancwsl, in the Punjab, and elsewhere in India, Sir William describes the Sukkur barrage as a colossal undertaking. Sixteen spans of 60ft. each were completed last year and the engineers expect to complete a further 23 spans this year, this will leave 27 spans for next year, making 66 spans in all.

There are four canals on the left bank of the river and three on the right and tho masonry for these is virtually completed. About 10,000 men are engaged in the work and it is expected that it will bo completed by 1932. Tho report shows that in Irak, where King Foisal is a keen cotton-grower, progress is also being made. The production increased from 60 bales in 1921 to 5400 bales last year.