Annual report on Basutoland / Colonial Office.

  • Great Britain. Office of Commonwealth Relations.
Date:
[1951]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on Basutoland / Colonial Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    53/96 (page 41)
    In the following table a comparison of the volume and value of produce exported, and of societies’ annual net surpluses (or profits) is made between the years 1949/50 and 1950/51 : As at 31.3.50 As at 31.3.51 Exports Volume Value Wool . . 345,8891b. £49,902 Mohair . . 28,1801b. 3,064 Hides & Skins . 11,0801b. 735 Net Surpluses Exports Volume Value 390,4501b. £136,187 33,214 1b. 9,107 20,715 lb. 3,203 Net Surpluses Totals . . 385,149 1b. 53,701 £1,380 444,379 1b. 148,497 £4,059 Bulk Purchases 1,111 1,426 Bulk purchases indicated in the table above represent wholesale purchases of stock salt, fertilizer, farm implements and other goods made by wool and mohair marketing societies on behalf of their members. All societies of this type have been encouraged to erect their own office and store accommodation as soon as possible out of their annual net surpluses. Four societies have already erected such buildings, and three have buildings under construction. In view of the large sums of money which were paid out to members by their societies the importance of thrift became more pressing than ever. Members were advised to save as much as possible of their new¬ found wealth against the inevitable leaner times ahead, by means of the Post Office Savings Bank, building societies and commercial bank deposit accounts. A good many responded to this advice, but not nearly as many as might have been wished, and some members showed an embarrassing preference for leaving the bulk of their money indefinitely with their society. CO-OPERATIVE CONSUMER SOCIETIES » The number of these Societies was increased by two new registrations during the year, making 19 in all. One of these, of mixed European and African membership, situated in Maseru, is the first co-operative store to be registered in Basutoland. It has been handicapped by inadequate capital but appears to have a fair chance of success. Two African societies in Maseru, which had never functioned properly and whose members will now join the store society were about to be liquidated when the year ended. The demand for consumer co¬ operation remains great, but few of the societies already registered have worked with much determination or success. Difficulties con¬ nected with transport, with the choice and purchase of goods from