第 77 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2022-04-14 11:08      字数:9322
  some cases been almost abandoned。 。 。 。
  〃The cultivation of vines for the manufacture of wine has been so
  heavily and unjustly taxed; that a great part of the vineyards have of
  late years been turned to other and more profitable purposes; or else
  have been abandoned; and consequently a branch of agriculture for which
  the island is especially suited and a remunerative article of commerce
  is neglected and allowed to decline。 An extensive development of
  vineyards and manufacture of wine should be encouraged; and with this
  object it has been suggested that it might be wise to free this
  production from all except export duty。
  〃Allusion has already been made to the injurious effect of the
  collection of the tithe (dimes) upon cotton at the time when the crop is
  gathered; instead of at the time of shipment; and it has been explained
  how the former method prevents the farmers from growing the best and
  most remunerative varieties of the plant; this is a matter that requires
  the attention of the authorities when the re…adjustment of the taxes is
  considered。〃
  Captain Savile's useful book is an echo of consular statements and
  reports written in England for government information without any
  personal experience of the island; but from my own investigations I can
  thoroughly endorse the views expressed; and I only regret that the
  miserable conditions of our occupation have rendered such necessary
  reforms most difficult; as the poverty of the present government of
  Cyprus cannot afford to run the risk of experimental lessons in
  taxation。
  When criticising and condemning existing evils; it must be distinctly
  understood that I do not presume to attach blame to individual
  authorities of the local government: I denounce the arbitrary and
  oppressive system of TURKISH rules; which; although in some instances
  mitigated by our administration; still remain in force; and are the
  results of the conditions that were accepted when England resolved upon
  this anomalous occupation。 I have to describe Cyprus as I saw it in
  1879; and in this work I endeavour to introduce the public to the true
  aspect of the situation 〃as I saw it;〃 other people have an equal right
  with myself to their own opinions upon various subjects; but; should we
  differ upon certain questions; we shall at least be unanimous in praise
  of the extreme devotion to a most difficult task in a contradictory
  position; exhibited not only by the governor; and commissioners of
  districts; but by all British officers entrusted with authority。 If
  Cyprus were free from the fetters of the Turkish Convention; and the
  revenue should be available for the necessary improvements; with
  commercial and agricultural reforms; the same energy now bestowed by the
  governor and other officials would rapidly expand the resources of the
  island。 We are prone to expect too much; and must remember that at the
  time I write; only twelve months have elapsed since the day of the
  British military occupation。 No officers understood either the language;
  or laws; of the people they had to govern; they were for the most part
  specially educated for the military profession; and they were suddenly
  plunged into official positions where agricultural; legal; commercial;
  and engineering difficulties absorbed their entire attention; all of
  which had to be comprehended through the medium of an interpreter。 It is
  rare that the most favoured individual combines such general knowledge;
  Turks and Greeks; antagonistic races; were to lie down contented like
  the lion and the lamb under the blessing of a British rule: all
  animosities were to be forgotten。 The religion of Mussulmans would
  remain inviolate; and the Greek Church would hold its former
  independence: freedom and equality were to be assured when the English
  flag replaced the Crescent and Star upon the red ensign beneath which
  Cyprus had withered as before a flame; the resources of the country were
  to awaken as from a long sleep; and the world should witness the
  marvellous change between Cyprus when under Turks; and when transferred
  to Englishmen。 〃Look upon that picture; and on this!〃 The officers of
  our army were the magicians to effect this transformation; not only
  strangers to the climate; language; laws; customs; people; but without
  MONEY: as the island had been robbed of revenue by the conditions of the
  Turkish Convention。
  In spite of the many abuses which still exist; and which demand reform;
  there could not be a more tangible proof of the general efficiency of
  the officers of our army than the picture of Cyprus after the first
  year's occupation。 Although the government has been severely pinched for
  means; and a season of cruel drought has smitten the agriculturists;
  with commerce languishing through the uncertainty of our tenure; the
  Cyprian population of all creeds and classes have already learned to
  trust in the honour and unflinching integrity of British rulers; which
  ensures them justice and has relieved them from their former oppressors。
  CHAPTER XVII。
  THE DISTRICT OF LIMASOL AND LANDOWNERS。
  The port of Limasol will eventually become the chief commercial centre
  of Cyprus; and in the depression of 1879 caused by drought and general
  uncertainty it formed a favourable exception to the general rule。 It may
  be interesting to examine the position of the revenue during the years
  inclusive from 1875 to 1878。
  CUSTOMS。
  Year。              Revenue。         Expenditure。        Balance。
  Piastres。            Piastres。       Piastres。
  1875                964;839             164;663          800;176
  1876                819;139             172;472          646;667
  1877              1;340;643             169;506        1;171;137
  1878              1;553;363             161;594        1;391;769
  The exports from Limasol have been largely in excess of imports:
  Year         Exports                   Year           Imports
  1875         77;022                    1875            47;325
  1876         59;895                    1876            50;920
  1877         93;805                    1877            41;920
  1878        101;457                    1878            99;714
  The principal articles of export from Limasol are wine and caroubs; and
  the general production of these items has been as follows:
  Year。                  Okes。              Year。                 Tons。
  1875      Wine      4;811;732              1875    Caroubs      8;690
  1876        〃       3;710;884              1876      〃          6;080
  1877        〃       2;208;617              1877      〃          6;520
  1878        〃       5;795;109              1878      〃          4;345
  The different descriptions of wine and spirits produced in the
  Limasol district during the last four years are as follows;
  values in okes:
  Year。       Raki or          …Wine。
  native brandy      Commanderiea。     Red Wine。     Black Wine。
  1875      467;711             173;946            85;008       4;056;067
  1876      251;298              87;585            56;434       2;815;567
  1877      181;269              45;522            38;563       1;943;290
  1878      378;694             180;103           133;555       5;102;757
  In the year 1878 the goods exported from Limasol may be approximately
  represented by
  Cotton for Austria 。 。 。 。 10;000 okes valued at    500 pounds sterling。
  Wool for France c。 。 。 。 。  9;500 okes valued at    560 pounds。
  Rags for Italy 。 。 。 。 。 。 77;600 okes valued at    700 pounds。
  Sumach in leaf for
  Greece。 。 。 。 。 110;000 okes valued at    500 pounds。
  Black wine for
  Turkey。 。 。 。 1;850;000 okes valued at 25;000 pounds。
  Commanderia for
  Austria 。 。 。 。 155;000 okes valued at  2;075 pounds。
  Caroubs for
  England; France;
  Russia; and Italy 。 。 。 。  10;000 tons valued at 33;000 pounds。
  Raisins for Austria;
  France; and Turkey 。 。 。 。 90;000 okes valued at    850 pounds。
  Skins for Greece 。 。 。 。 。 。9;800 okes valued at  1;025 pounds。
  Sundries 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 valued at 11;000 pounds。
  Total value of exports。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。  75;210 pounds sterling。
  The tobacco produced in the districts of Limasol and Baffo and at Lefka;
  inclusive; is a mere trifle compared to the capabilities of the
  island:
  In 1875 the crop amounted to 1;395 okes。
  1876           〃          1;280   〃
  1877           〃            857   〃
  1878           〃          1;731   〃
  This is only worth enumeration as an example of the utter insignificance
  of the production; which should be an important item in the agricultural
  wealth of the island。 The greater portion of the tobacco consumed in
  Cyprus is imported in bales from Salonica; and is consigned to
  manufacturers who divide and classify the leaves; which are cut; and
  formed into packets bearing the Custom House stamps; supplied upon
  purchase。 Limasol alone imports about 20;000 okes; which are forwarded
  from Larnaca; where the duty is paid。 No export duties of any
  description are levied upon goods from this island。
  The direct benefit to the Cypriotes conferred by the British occupation
  was exhi