Description

From a speech made by the Duke of Marlborough, Morris is glad to see that something is going to be done regarding the development of agricultural matters in West Africa. The Duke mentioned that it is proposed to appoint a Commissioner or Director and have a department. When Morris was at home, Thiselton-Dyer asked what he could do at the Colonial Office to try and induce Lucas and Antrobus to be more sympathetic to the men Thiselton-Dyer sends out to appointments on the West Coast. From what Morris could gather from Antrobus, the difficulty was that the ordinary RBG Kew man occupied a somewhat peculiar position and could not be easily placed. This is why first class passages are not granted and other incidents occur to discourage the men and place them at a disadvantage. Morris thinks that if a regular department were organised with a chief officer who would take his place amongst the leading members of the Government, many of these difficulties would disappear. The same difficulties have been encountered in the West Indies but they have never been so deeply felt as in West Africa. Morris discusses the matter of continuation of policy; under the Colonial system it is impossible to prevent individual tastes overruling all other considerations. He thinks it is useless to try to convert the official at the Colonial Office to a more rational and intelligent treatment of agricultural matters in West Africa. Morris discusses the current muddle with regard to the mail contract. He supposes that Thiselton-Dyer has seen that there is to be a Colonial and Indian Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. A good many exhibits have been sent from the West Indies, especially Jamaica and Trinidad. Morris encloses a copy of the HANDBOOK OF BARBADOS [not attached]. If RBG Kew desires a set of exhibits of West Indian Sea Island cotton, lint and seed, he will be glad to arrange to send one. Page 1 of 4.

Description

From a speech made by the Duke of Marlborough, Morris is glad to see that something is going to be done regarding the development of agricultural matters in West Africa. The Duke mentioned that it is proposed to appoint a Commissioner or Director and have a department. When Morris was at home, Thiselton-Dyer asked what he could do at the Colonial Office to try and induce Lucas and Antrobus to be more sympathetic to the men Thiselton-Dyer sends out to appointments on the West Coast. From what Morris could gather from Antrobus, the difficulty was that the ordinary RBG Kew man occupied a somewhat peculiar position and could not be easily placed. This is why first class passages are not granted and other incidents occur to discourage the men and place them at a disadvantage. Morris thinks that if a regular department were organised with a chief officer who would take his place amongst the leading members of the Government, many of these difficulties would disappear. The same difficulties have been encountered in the West Indies but they have never been so deeply felt as in West Africa. Morris discusses the matter of continuation of policy; under the Colonial system it is impossible to prevent individual tastes overruling all other considerations. He thinks it is useless to try to convert the official at the Colonial Office to a more rational and intelligent treatment of agricultural matters in West Africa. Morris discusses the current muddle with regard to the mail contract. He supposes that Thiselton-Dyer has seen that there is to be a Colonial and Indian Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. A good many exhibits have been sent from the West Indies, especially Jamaica and Trinidad. Morris encloses a copy of the HANDBOOK OF BARBADOS [not attached]. If RBG Kew desires a set of exhibits of West Indian Sea Island cotton, lint and seed, he will be glad to arrange to send one. Page 1 of 4.