ABSTRACT

The development of the Northern Rhodesian mines has affected the economic situation of the country in various ways. In the first place, by greatly increasing the demand for labour it has accelerated the process of transition to a wage-earning economy. It has speeded up the growth of the urban, capitalistic, economic organisation and has brought it into stronger contrast with the self-sufficient, communistic, rural existence. Within the area adjacent to the railway and to the mines the growth of economic crops has considerably developed. Various suggestions have been made at different times for the development of different industries. At the 1927 General Missionary Conference of Northern Rhodesia papers on Native industries were read both by the Rev. J. A. Ross and the Rev. J. R. Shaw which were concerned with the problem. The development of a Native trade in Northern Rhodesia has long suffered under one very severe handicap.