AWAKENING MOROCCO

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1929, Page 8

AWAKENING MOROCCO

LAND OF THE SALLEE HOVERS

WEI HD, FASCINATING, I’ll LMITJVE.

ROMANTIC PAST AND PROSPEHOUSFUTURE.

(J3y Dr JULIUS KLEIN, Assistant Secretary of Commerce, United States.)

Among the points of interest to which the crowds of Mediterranean tourists arc rushed during their few hours’ stop-over in Algiers is a room in the Rev’s palace where that potentate once slapped the face of the French consul with his fun. That was the culminating affront in a long scries of more serious difficulties which brought about the French intervention in Algiers almost exactly 100 years ago. From Algiers the French zone of influence spread eastward into Tunis in 1881, and finally, just before the world war, the greatest part of the old Moorish Empire of Morocco came under file protectorate of France. Morocco embraces about 225,000 square miles, and it has a population of four and a half millions, nearly all of whom are Moslems.

In many ways Morocco is the most interesting region in northern Africa. It has only recently been brought into contact with European civilisation, and it therefore holds all the rare fascination of a pioneer region. Morocco has been described (accurately I think) as “a potential California.” It has, indeed, snowy mountains corresponding to the Sierra Nevadas of our western commonwealth (possessing scenic grandeur quite equal to that of many famous spots in Switzerland), with bioud, fertile coastal valley, and stretches of flat stony desert matching the Mojave and Colorado wilderness, and, above all, with a mild climate, except in the southern interior, which has not much to suggest the (Golden State.

In tho case of Morocco there is. in addition, the amazingly picturesque background of one of the least “tainted” cultures of our lime--a pure strain with a minimum of hybrid influences; abounding in native artistry of rare charm and originality; and having behind it a historical past that seems like a dramatisation of the Ni'ghts.’

GLOWING WITH VIVID COLOUR• The history of Morocco glows with tho most vivid and contrasted colours. Wo hear tales of the desperate “Battle of the Three Kings” and the reign of the so-called “Golden Caliph;” of the conquest of far distant Timbuctoo: of the ancient cultivation of philosophy, or, on the other hand, of the ruthless extermination of entire dynasties. "We are thrilled, beguiled, or appalled by stories of frenzied fanaticism and of Moslem “saintlines”—the enslavement * and torture of foreign seamen—the interveming periods of wise and gentle rule—the pageantry and pride of countless Sultans who, mounted on Arab steeds under gorgeous “Imperial umbrellas,” compelled the foreign ambassadors to approach them barehead and on foot.

From the point of view of tourist interest (and remember that a “tourist crop” is, for certain countries, the most profitable single resource) there are few areas 011 the castei n side of the Atlantic so readily accessible as Morocco, so admirably served with motor and hotel facilities, and holding so much of surprising originality of appeal. How long this will last is a question, hut to-day there is no doubt in ray mind that the inland cities of Morocco are unique in their weirdly fascinating, picturesque, primitive but age-old usages, aiul in the astounding accomplishments of a venerable civilisation of extraordinary virility.

If you think that tho tales of Scheherazade are simply wild imaginings of a remote; past, just step out into the vast open square of the great brown city of Marrakesh—one of the ancient capitals of Moroccowith its 130.000 inhabitants, where vou will find hundreds of fantastically garbed natives, in groups clustered around some story-teller or juggle l . some mountebank or wild-eyed Dervish from the desert—and scarcely a European (much less an American) in sight! It is a picture never to he forgotten.

MOROCCO IN TERMS OF TRADE. I not'd hardly say that tin* buying power and standards of 1 ivinu; ol the great majority of the 4* million natives of French Morocco are far below those of a corresponding numtei of Europeans or Americans. Nevertheless, the needs of the country as a whole, in connection with its general development, afford most attractse trade opportunities for American merchandise. ' t r ./.<..)•« imnnrts last year approached £10,000.000. which is certainly a trade worthy of careful consider:!! ion. Among the leading items is sugar—about £2,000,000 a year--which is consumed in great quantities by the natives in their favourite beverage of “mint tea.’ The cotto-i goods trade amounts also to approximately £2,000,000’. largely supplied by England, with lesser quantities from the European Continent. Incidentally household supplies, such as candles and soap, account for £1,000.000. One of our great opportunities up.

pears to lie in the field of motor cars, which are givyitly in demand on account of tho lack of railways and the existence of an excellent system oT new roads in Morocco. The donkey, which from time immemorial has been +hr. iimans of locomotion for the Moor is definitely being replaced by the cheap motor car. And, incidentally, the latter is being just as hopelessly overloaded as was its patient foinfooted predecessor. It is indeed a picturesque sight to observe one of the typical countryside market days which are held out in the open country, often miles from the nearest village. On a given day each week tho Moorish peddlers, merchants, and artisans drift in, most n? thorn on donkeys, hut not a few on clattering, very much battered American cars. What was a completely empty piece of ground' at, sav, , 1 o’clock, is‘ covered in a couple <f hours with two or three thousand individuals. together with piles of. produce and countless cheap supplies of all sorts.

VERY MITCH IN THE MAKING. The Moroccan market, despite the low per capita purchasing power, is by no moans to he dismissed with contempt. Tt provides some rather curious outlets at times. For instance, a consular report that old clothes would find some demand in Morocco has loosened a quantity of shipments, and resulted in substantial profits for one enterprising American company. A well-known Amciican concern, on being told that the indispensable American institution of tomato ketchup was unknown among the Moors has now put that tasty condiment into nearly every grocery store of any size. American apples had been heard of but never seen on the local market. On behalf of a local agent, the consulate requested cabled offers from ccrtaiii American firm's, and the inquiry has resulted in sales of "700 cases with each steamer leaving the United States directly for Morocco. In a commercial sense, Morocco is a new country, and needs all that a new non-manufacturing country ordinarily requires. Labour has always ( been plentiful and cheap until the summer of 1928. when a combination of circumstances (including extensive public works and fine crops calling for extra farm labour) doubled, the rates of wages. Morocco should soon be ripe for labour-saving machinery of certain kinds Turning to the exports of French Morocco we find them running to approximately £10.(100,000 last yeara higher figure than usual, because of tiro particularly good crop of eereals. In addition to barley, wheat, and seeds, as well as hides and other animal products, the country is developing its phosphate mines. The exports of phosphate started in 1921 with 8000 tons, hut last year the total was just under 1,400,000 tons. The mines are easily exploited, yi'Td 74 per cent quite uniform quality, ( ,an command abundant very '-heap labour, and are only a short distance from the port of Casablanca, where the phosphates are delivered on what is practically a gravity railway. Consequently the cost of production is low The. extent of these Moroccan phosphate fields is greatly in excess of 150,000,000 tons. Aside from the well-known Moorish leather and hides, there is also a curious fibre made from dwarf palms—valuable for motor upholstery. Canary bird seed, wild onions, cork, edible snails represent also considerable items in Moroccan exports. Morocco is very much in tho making. Tt is a romantic land. but. coupled with its picturesque interest, t]iere is also the very attractive phase of mi awakening commerce.