86 
and the work, though run on semi-philanthropic lines, is 
organized on a sound commercial basis. 
The Association has also assisted in the formation of other 
cotton growing and buying companies, and together with its 
own capital of £500,000 the total amount raised for cotton 
growing under its auspices amounts to £1,125,000. The work, 
however, continues to grow rapidly, and the provision of large 
sums of additional capital is a very pressing one. 
The Association owes great thanks to the assistance received 
from the Government, no matter which party was in power, 
and also to the officials both at the Colonial Office and in the 
colonies, and more particularly to Mr. Harcourt and Lord 
Emmott. It has also received valuable assistance and advice 
from Professor Dunstan and the staff of the Imperial Institute. 
[ Drscusston. ] 
The Cuarrman: I will ask the President, Professor Dunstan, 
to read some remarks which Lord Emmott would have made 
had it been possible for him to have been present. 
The PrestpeNT: I have been asked by Mr. Harcourt, the 
Secretary of State for the Colonies, and by the Duke of 
Marlborough and Lord Emmott to present their apologies 
and their regret that important Parliamentary engage- 
ments prevent their attendance this afternoon at this meet- 
ing. Lord Emmott has sent a written statement of some 
remarks which he would have made had he been present, and 
T propose now to read this. 
Lord Emmott: One hundred and thirty years ago a con- 
signment of 1,200 lb. of cotton purporting to come from the 
United States of America was seized by the Customs Authori- 
ties of this country because they did not believe so much cotton 
could have been grown in the States at that time, whereas if 
it were West Indian cotton it ought not to have come in a 
foreign vessel. That story illustrates how great a business 
may arise from small beginnings. The United States is to-day 
far the largest grower of cotton in the world. Once the 
cultivation was started on a sound basis it rapidly forged 
ahead. It took them a long time, however, to grow their first 
100,000 bales, and we who are interested in increasing the 
supply of cotton for the world must not grow weary because 
every effort in a new district is not crowned with immediate 
success. 
The various difficulties in the way of the pioneer have been 
dealt with in the course of Mr. Hutton's admirable paper. 
Quite apart from the vital question of transport there are 
