32 



long time to enable all unsuitable trees being eliminated, and the 

 process again repeated until the whole stock could be guaranteed. 

 Instead of seeds, cuttings could be used to start with, or as an 

 alternative, but in either case the whole process of selection or 

 re-selectiou would take at least 20 years befoi^e a final result could be 

 be attained. This, therefore, does not seem a very suitable procedure. 



The other alternative is to introduce new stock from the 

 Amazon. The whole matter should be under Government control, 

 and seed in such quantities imported that a sufficient supply for the 

 needs of the whole Peninsula could be assured. 1 would also 

 suggest that a Mycologist be sent with the expedition to study any 

 disease that might attack trees in their wild state. Experiments in 

 variation of yield might also be made on the spot. 



The future of the rubber industry demands immediate action. 

 Such an expedition as suggested would naturally entail considerable 

 expenditure, but even =£50,000 or d8100,000 would not be too much to 

 pay for the protection of the immense interests at stake. 



The example of the Dutch Netherlands Indies Government in 

 taking control of all tobacco, sugar and cinchona seed distribution 

 should be a sufficient indication to our own Government of the 

 necessity of controlling an industry which is now rapidly becoming, 

 if it has not already become, their chief source of revenue. 



Discussion. 

 The Chairman (Mr. R. W. Munro) : We have heard something 

 extraordinarily interesting just now. We expected to have another 

 paper to-day on this subject, but I think we can take it as read, as it 

 will be duly published. But this from Mr. Malet is quite one of the 

 most interesting we have ever had. Any planter in any country 

 knows the position and knows it from the start. But the whole 

 question covers so much gi-ound that it is rather difficult to see how 

 we are going to start this very excellent proposition. In importing 

 seeds and trees there are difficulties, but the seed which you wish to 

 have imported is the chief thing after all. The principle laid down 

 by Mr. Malet is, of course, sound. In giving my own opinion on the 

 matter I should certainly say that all of us planters entirely agree 

 with everything that Mr. Malet says. We are, I am sure, much 

 obliged to him for his very interesting paper. 



