CAMPINE AND THE CONGO

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1786, 24 July 1926, Page 2

CAMPINE AND THE CONGO

The development of “another Belgium” in the new Campine coal basin —north-east of Antwerp—and The accretion of great wealth from the Congo are two points mentioned by Mr Bagge. As to the former, he says it is already providing an important factor in Belgium’s economic resources by reason not only of the additional output of coal, but also of the quality of this coal, which is admirably adapted for cooking purposes, a quality in which Belgium was singularly deficient. The development of this field means independence for Belgium in her supplies of coke, and consequently constitutes a good credit factor in her international trade balance. This coalfield is of still greater importance a's a factor in the general industrial expansion of Belgium. Already factories have sprung up in the district, but what has been accomplished is but a beginning, for the network of roads, railways and canals which are now upder construction must necessarily be completed before the real development can take place and the Campine can take its true place in Belgium’te economic resources. The Congo is complementary to the Campine, for it is to the latter that the African colony’s everincreasing output of copper, tin and other ores will be sent for refining. In addition to minerals, the Congo yields gold, diamonds, palm oil, copal and ivory, and it is yet in its infancy. Prosperity is not, and will not, be confined to and companies operating in the colony, but ils and will be enjoyed equally by the Government of the colony. The 'Government is, by reason of the conditions of the various concessions granted, largely interested, at no cost, no itself, in the .fortunes of the concessions. The value of such holdings, as at June 30th, 1925, was 1500 million frauds, and the revenue from them more than covered, the service of the public debt of the colony, of which the capital amount of 750 million francs.