LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE, SIR: There is submitted herewith a report on the markets for American hardware in British South Africa and the neighboring colony of Portuguese East Africa. Since 1914 the United States has made substantial progress in supplying hardware to this territory, and the Bureau's investigators are of the opinion that, with proper care and attention to special requirements, much of this trade can be retained and new and profitable lines developed. South Africa imports ordinarily about $12,000,000 worth of hardware per year. More than $2,000,000 worth now comes from the United States. To aid American manufacturers to maintain and improve their position is the purpose of this bulletin. Respectfully, To Hon. J. W. ALEXANDER, Secretary of Commerce ROY S. MACELWEE, 4 SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS FOR AMERICAN HARDWARE. INTRODUCTION: GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TERRITORY. GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND GOVERNMENT. In this report on markets for hardware in South Africa, the territory covered is considered as an economic and commercial whole, without much regard for the boundary lines of Provinces, which have but slight effect on the course of trade. This territory lies between longitudes 15° and 40° E. and between latitudes 34° 51' and 10° S. This includes all of British South Africa, Portuguese East Africa, the former German territory of Southwest Africa, and that part of the Belgian Kongo that is closely connected commercially with South Africa. A rather interesting comparison of natural conditions may be made by imagining South Africa as located in the Northern Hemisphere. Disregarding longitude and taking into account latitude only, the corresponding territory would extend from Central America through Mexico to Los Angeles, Cal., with Cape Town in about the position of the southern California city. The Union of South Africa is a self-governing British dominion, comprising Cape, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Natal Provinces. British territory in South Africa also includes the native protectorates of Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland, and the British South Africa Co.'s territory of Rhodesia. Portuguese East Africa has but one city of commercial importance, Lourenco Marques, which is very closely connected, economically, with the Union of South Africa. AREA AND POPULATION. The area and population of these territories are shown in the following table (the population figures for the Union of South Africa being those of the 1911 census): b Includes native African races and all colored people other than Indians. |