Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/292

 240 THE BRITISH EMPIRE I — SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

siderably. They now supply a large portion of the agricultural labour. The Ovambos, like the Bushmen, are one of the native races who are not increasing in numbers.

It may be noted that the Cunene River, which formerly ran through Ovamboland into the Etoscha Pan, passes along its rorthern border into the Atlantic, and this change of course has made Ovamboland far less fertile. Ovambo labour is used for the mines and railways.

The Bastards are descendants of a cross between European farmers and Hottentots, who originally came from the Cape Colony half a century ago. They were never conquered by the Germans, and still manage many of their own affairs. They live in the Rehoboth District, which lies to the south of Windhuk, and number about 9,000.

The seat of the present Administration is Windhuk, which is pleasantly situated at an altitude of 5,600 feet, in the centre of the Protectorate. Its total population is nearly 10,000.

Up till 1920 the German Law has been in force. New legislation has been effected by Proclamations under Martial Law. In January, 1920, Roman Dutch was made the Common Law of the country, and a number of Union Acts have since been applied by Proclamations. Civil Courts have been established and all troops withdrawn, and although Martial Law has not yet been repealed, the Government has been conducted on a purely civil basis for some time past. A Parliamentary Commission from the Union has recently visited the country, with a view to formulating a scheme for its future administration. A start has been made with local government by the creation of Hospital Boards and Municipalities, and it appears that the Germans are anxious to co-operate in the work of reconstruction.

Mr. Gysbert Hofmeyr, C.M.G., who has been Clerk of the Union House of Assembly for the last ten years, has succeeded Sir Howard Georges, K.C.M.G., M.V.O., as Administrator.

Finance. — For the financial year 1919-20 the revenue amounted to 654,370/., and the expenditure to 718,100/. (1918-19 : revenue, 377,049/. ; expenditure, 744,407/.). The estimates for the year 1920-1 are: revenue, 1,025,000/. ; expenditure, 849,674/. The principal source of revenue is the tax on diamonds, which is estimated to yield 800,000/. The tax is based on 66 per cent, of the sale proceeds less 70 per cent, of the working costs. The working life of the alluvial fields is probably less than ten years.

Customs. — Customs revenue is estimated to yield 75,000/.

Trade. — The total imports and exports for the last five recorded years

Year

Imports

Exports

Year

Imports

Exports

1911 1912 1013

2,265,097 1,62-V'll 2,171,230

& 1,734,558 • 1 ,952,«*r

3,446,220

191S 1919

£

1,081,534 1,185,116

1,679,534

Mineral Production. — Five of tin Qerauu 1 >iamond Mining Companies in the Luderitzbucht area have been acquired by the Consolidated Diamond Mines of S.W.A., Ltd., which is registered in South Africa. The stones, which- are small, but of a good quality, arc found in the sand along the coast, but iu no case at a greater distance than 15 miles lioni the sea. During 1919