File 21/1911 Pt 2 'Aden Protectorate:- Recruitment of coolies for employment in British East Africa.' [‎90r] (139/166)

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481 G
The Under Secretary of State for India
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. .
i.
11 / 12 / 12 .
Sir,
We, the undersigned, representing the coast planta
tion interests of British East Africa have the honour to
submit to you a proposal for utilizing the resources of
Southern Arabia to supplement the East African labour
supply which is at present inadequate to our needs. The
rapid opening up of this colony during the past decade
has led to an influx of settlers into the highland re
gions, a great extension of public works, and the invest
ment of a great deal of Capital in plantations in the
coastal area of rubber,sisal cotton and, other tropical
produce. This development has naturally caused a corres
ponding increase in the demand for unskilled labour, so
much so that the supply available, which is dependent
largely on the native tribes of the interior being brought
into close touch with the government, necessarily a grad
ual process, has failed to keep pace with the demand for
it; and though it is considered probable that the natives
of the protectorate itself will eventually prove sufficient
for all requirements, a severe shortage exists at the
present time. Important government undertakings have
had to be suspended in consequence. Several large planta
tions are approaching the producing stage and unless
Hv-C - vT; ° .sufficient labour is forthcoming to work them those who
14 DEC 1912 1
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COPY to INDIA
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