Basic HTML Version
386
-SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
7 . - 4 summarized statement of any developments in the agricultural- forestal,fishing,mining, and other industries
of the Colony during the year under review, ivith a statement as to progress up to date. A special account should be y-*-^
of Government grants or other action for the development of the natural resources and industries of the Colony.
CypruH is* essentially an agricultural country, and the agricultural population ia extremely conservative,.
Nevertheless owing to the lower prices offered for exportable produce and the loss or partial loss of some nearby market^
for certain products on account of tariff or other restrictive measures, the necessity of searching for alternative crope.
and markets, has lieen brought h o m e to producers and exporters. Furthermore farmers have shown an increased
desire to improve their methods.
i
-
...
During 1934. as was the case in the previous year, the main agricultural developments were connected rather with
marketing than production, and were rendered possible only by an improvement in the quality of produce offered
In order to protect the local wheat production protective duties were imposed on imported foreign flour. .,vLji'
A considerable improvement in the grading and packing of citrus fruit for export resulted in increased sales ia
the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. This improvement was assisted and fostered by the newly-organizect
fruit inspection service, by regulations governing the exportation of citrus fruit and pomegranates, and by intensi-nL
propaganda, advice and instruction.
'* '**'
J:
"'T-*.
There* has l>een an expansion of the exportation of wines to the United Kingdom, which is the result of increased}
demand due to improvement in quality. This improvement is due in large measure to propaganda carried out by the*
Government and to instruction and assistance afforded by it to producers.
*;•;•&
A steady demand exists in neighbouring countries for cattle, mules and donkeys from Cyprus. Unfortunatelw
unfavourable seai-nns have somewhat reduced the supplies of animals available to meet this demand, but the services.
maintained by Government at Stud Stables throughout the Island and the* provision of premium donkeys and other-
stud animals on i loan have maintained and improved the quality of the stock.
t
.
tm
The rla>: spinning and weaving establishment at Zodhia and the flax scutching mills at Zodhia and Yeroskipo*
were conduct*-'* during the year by private enterprise with the advice and assistance of flax officers of the Agricultural
Department.
' i'.*>
The provision of Tobacco Instructors by Government to assist the growers and instruct them in the proper methodi
of growing and preparing tobacco was continued. M u c h of this tobacco is consumed locally, but there is also an increased
interest in the u:-e of Cyprus yellow-leaf tobacco for the manufacture of Cyprus cigarettes in the cigarette factories.
established in England.
-'v.'.
The silk industry was carried on under the close supervision of Inspectors, who are responsible by law for
encouraging and: assisting production and giving advice. Prices are at present not such aa to encourage increased
interest in this industry, and owing to the unremunerative price of silk the Silk Filature at Yeroskipos was closed.
down.
The threshing machinery and tractors purchased from funds granted by the Empire Marketing Board have-
aroused considerable interest. The demand for the use of the threshing machinery is not vet up to the full wnrkin*r
capacity but the demand by the more enterprising and enlightened farmers is steadily increasing.
Apart from these special forms of assistance to particular industries, the Agricultural Department of the Colony
continues to give advice, to encourage the cultivation of all suitable crops, to assist agriculturists, to control animal
and plant diseases, and, generally, to foster agriculture, the main industry of the Colony, in all its branches, by
means of its various organizer! technical services and by instruction given by itinerant agricultural officers.
The investigations to locate sub-soil water with the aid of the drilling plants were continued during the!
year. The amount of additional water m a d e avadable from these activities was 1,495,584 gallons per day. Twenty-five
wells were drilled, aggregating 4,929 feet of borehole, and of this number 12 wells were successfully carried to a second
source producing the amount of water mentioned above.
Owing to lack of funds re-aft'orestation by artificial methods had to be reduced to small scale experiments and to-
repair-planting in existing plantations. S o m e 9,016 seedlings were sold to private individuals during the year.
T
Continued low prices and a restricted demand in the European markets have adversely affected the sales of copper,
and sulphur. The Cyprus Mines Corporation has completed the construction of the n e w metallurgical plant and is
n o w in a position to ship high-grade concentrates. The Corporation has also actively worked the gold-bearing lode
at Skouriotissa with encouraging results, and the Cyprus and General Asbestos Company, Ltd., in spite of keen
competition, has increased its sales of low-grade fibre. The amount of labour employed on both mines is well
maintained.
There has been an increase in the number of prospecting permits issued, but on outstanding discoveries are to be
recorded.
Among minor industries, carpet-making and broom-making showed continued activity.
' •' Shoe-making and frumiture-making are progressing. Owing to change in policv, the Forest Department gave up
lettmg contracts tor the manufacture and sale of wooden articles, but one carpenter is continuing and others in various
parts of the Island are taking up this kind of working in wood. .The manufacture of wooden articles bvthe local
carpenters is increasing, following the original work started by the Forest
1
Department.
The art of embroidery is also well advanced ; a great number of girls and women are engaged on needlework and
lace-making. Lace is in wide demand abroad.
" '
The making of stockings by machinery mainly for local use'has "spread considerably and the industry of
hat-making, for ladies, is gaining ground.