C. C. Vattier Kraane (also rendered C. G. Vattier Kraane) was a Dutch colonial economic advocate who addressed public meetings on the economic development of Netherlands Indies in connection with its defence, speaking alongside former Governor-General J. B. van Heutsz at the Bond van Vrije Liberalen on 13 January 1917 and at the Industriebond (Industriële Club) on 17 February 1917.
Public Addresses
Vattier Kraane spoke at two meetings in early 1917 that formed part of the broader Defense of Netherlands Indies debate (1917). At the Bond van Vrije Liberalen gathering on 13 January 1917, he appeared alongside J. B. van Heutsz. He spoke again at the Industriebond (Industriële Club) on 17 February 1917, a meeting reported in the Handelsblad of 18 February 1917.
Economic Development and Defence
On both occasions, Vattier Kraane’s subject was “De verhooging der economische ontwikkeling van Nederlandsch-Indië, in verband met zijn defensie” (The increase of the economic development of Netherlands Indies in connection with its defence). He proposed that gouvernementsbedrijven (government enterprises) could be run more intensively or economically to produce better results. He advocated exploiting the “onschatbare rijkdommen” (inestimable riches) still lying fallow in and on the soil of India.
Proposals for Djambi Oil and Benkoelen Gold
Vattier Kraane specifically discussed the exploitation of oil fields in Djambi and gold fields in Benkoelen. Regarding the Djambi oil fields, he advocated exploitation through a Naamlooze Vennootschap (limited company) in which the state held predominant participation (medezeggenschap). Regarding the Benkoelen gold fields, he expressed less satisfaction that the Minister seemed to favour pure state exploitation (Staatsexploitatie) rather than the same public-private model applied to Djambi.
General Principle
His general principle was that exploitation should be carried out by private parties under state control, with government participation in capital. This model of public-private economic development under state supervision aligned with the revenue-generation side of the Van Heutsz–Van der Weyden defence programme, as set out in Van der Weyden’s defense brochure.
Idealistic Conclusion and Satirical Reception
Vattier Kraane concluded his address idealistically, envisioning a future in which “de blanke en de bruine broeder elkander beter begrijpen en waardeeren; naast elkander werken tot ontwikkeling van Indië en zoo noodig te zamen onze koloniën tegen vreemde indringers verdedigen. Eerst dan zullen wij met recht kunnen spreken van een tropisch Nederland.” Van der Maaten, in his pamphlet of 1917, satirised this sentiment as “aandoenlijk mooi zooveel onbaatzuchtigheid” (touchingly beautiful, so much selflessness).
Significance
Vattier Kraane’s proposals represented the economic dimension of the broader Van Heutsz defence advocacy campaign. By linking increased exploitation of colonial natural resources to the financing of defence, he provided the fiscal argument complementing J. Van der Weyden’s military proposals and J. B. van Heutsz’s political campaign for appointment as buitengewoon Regeerings-Commissaris.
See Also
- J. B. van Heutsz
- J. Van der Weyden
- Van der Maaten
- Bond van Vrije Liberalen
- Industriebond defense meeting (17 February 1917)
- Van der Weyden’s defense brochure
- Defense of Netherlands Indies debate (1917)
- Netherlands Indies Fleet Bill (1914)
- Van der Maaten’s pamphlet on Van Heutsz and the Defense of Netherlands Indies
- Djambi
- Benkoelen
Source
K. van der Maaten, Z. E. De Oud Gouverneur-Generaal J. B. van Heutsz en de Defensie van Nederlandsch-Indië (‘s-Gravenhage: Martinus Nijhoff, 1917)
C. C. Vattier Kraane (also rendered C. G. Vattier Kraane) was a Dutch colonial economic advocate who addressed public meetings on the economic development of Netherlands Indies in connection with its defence, speaking alongside former Governor-General J. B. van Heutsz at the Bond van Vrije Liberalen on 13 January 1917 and at the Industriebond (Industriële Club) on 17 February 1917.
Public Addresses
Vattier Kraane spoke at two meetings in early 1917 that formed part of the broader Defense of Netherlands Indies debate (1917). At the Bond van Vrije Liberalen gathering on 13 January 1917, he appeared alongside J. B. van Heutsz. He spoke again at the Industriebond (Industriële Club) on 17 February 1917, a meeting reported in the Handelsblad of 18 February 1917.
Economic Development and Defence
On both occasions, Vattier Kraane’s subject was “De verhooging der economische ontwikkeling van Nederlandsch-Indië, in verband met zijn defensie” (The increase of the economic development of Netherlands Indies in connection with its defence). He proposed that gouvernementsbedrijven (government enterprises) could be run more intensively or economically to produce better results. He advocated exploiting the “onschatbare rijkdommen” (inestimable riches) still lying fallow in and on the soil of India.
Proposals for Djambi Oil and Benkoelen Gold
Vattier Kraane specifically discussed the exploitation of oil fields in Djambi and gold fields in Benkoelen. Regarding the Djambi oil fields, he advocated exploitation through a Naamlooze Vennootschap (limited company) in which the state held predominant participation (medezeggenschap). Regarding the Benkoelen gold fields, he expressed less satisfaction that the Minister seemed to favour pure state exploitation (Staatsexploitatie) rather than the same public-private model applied to Djambi.
General Principle
His general principle was that exploitation should be carried out by private parties under state control, with government participation in capital. This model of public-private economic development under state supervision aligned with the revenue-generation side of the Van Heutsz–Van der Weyden defence programme, as set out in Van der Weyden’s defense brochure.
Idealistic Conclusion and Satirical Reception
Vattier Kraane concluded his address idealistically, envisioning a future in which “de blanke en de bruine broeder elkander beter begrijpen en waardeeren; naast elkander werken tot ontwikkeling van Indië en zoo noodig te zamen onze koloniën tegen vreemde indringers verdedigen. Eerst dan zullen wij met recht kunnen spreken van een tropisch Nederland.” Van der Maaten, in his pamphlet of 1917, satirised this sentiment as “aandoenlijk mooi zooveel onbaatzuchtigheid” (touchingly beautiful, so much selflessness).
Significance
Vattier Kraane’s proposals represented the economic dimension of the broader Van Heutsz defence advocacy campaign. By linking increased exploitation of colonial natural resources to the financing of defence, he provided the fiscal argument complementing J. Van der Weyden’s military proposals and J. B. van Heutsz’s political campaign for appointment as buitengewoon Regeerings-Commissaris.
See Also
- J. B. van Heutsz
- J. Van der Weyden
- Van der Maaten
- Bond van Vrije Liberalen
- Industriebond defense meeting (17 February 1917)
- Van der Weyden’s defense brochure
- Defense of Netherlands Indies debate (1917)
- Netherlands Indies Fleet Bill (1914)
- Van der Maaten’s pamphlet on Van Heutsz and the Defense of Netherlands Indies
- Djambi
- Benkoelen
Source
K. van der Maaten, Z. E. De Oud Gouverneur-Generaal J. B. van Heutsz en de Defensie van Nederlandsch-Indië (‘s-Gravenhage: Martinus Nijhoff, 1917).