Considerable evidence is available that industrial projects of importance are maturing in the Netherlands East Indies, material and equipment for which can best be supplied through the United Kingdom. Conditions favour Great Britain in this respect, as her imports from the Netherlands Indies are very much greater than her exports to that territory. There are clear indications that large sums of money are to be laid out in Netherlands East Indies in the further development of transport facilities such as railways, tramways, motor traffic and shipping. There are vast oil fields to be developed, and the mining industry, which is undoubtedly rich, more especially in the island of Sumatra, offers great possibilities for further development. Agriculture is, of course, in need of many implements, and quite g large number of proprietors of rich estates are prepared to pay high for modern and efficient plant.
Concessions for generating and distributing electricity are being granted at Tjilatjap (South Java), Rembang, Blora and Tjepu (North-East Java) and Sabang (North Sumatra).
The Ngagel-quarter, which comprises some five million square metres in the city of Sourabaya, will be drained at a cost of gids. 14 millions.
Harsour RequiReMenTs, Comparative estimates for the proposed harbour works at Samarang show that the construction of an up-to-date harbour, possessing every accommodation and served with modern equipment, would _involve an expenditure of 35 million guilders, whereas a storm-fare anchorage would cost less than a third of that sum. No final decision has yet been arrived at.
The State Railways are constructing a large shunting-depot at Sidotopo (Sourabaya). This depot will be a mile long, and will contain tracks, as well as an engine-shed capable of holding eight locomotives.
The first Netherlands Indies glass works at Medan has, to begin with, a capital of 750,000 guilders, of which 560,000 is issued in shares vf 1,000. 500 and 950 guilders. The project is being accorded co-opera tion from many quarters. It is intended that the works shall be used principally for the manufacture of rubber cups. although activities can be extended to all articles in daily use that are made of glass.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.