— 55 



"The considerations enumerated above prove that although the mono- 

 polisation of the essential oil trade might temporarily satisfy the money- 

 greed of a few interested parties, it would bring in its train the ruin of 

 the agrumi industries of Sicily. 



"The fact must not be left out of account that our production 

 unfortunately exceeds the world's requirements, and that we are therefore 

 not in a position, nor do we possess the right, to dictate laws and to 

 force our will upon the world. Rather let us endeavour to stimulate the 

 consumption of our essential oils, — which certainly cannot be brought 

 about by monopolising the business and creating an artificial advance 

 in prices. 



"In conclusion I urge upon you the necessity of uniting our forces and 

 of opposing by all legitimate means the realisation of the scheme which 

 has been laid before the Government. 



"Upon the Chamber of Commerce of Messina involves the duty of 

 preserving our city and the agrumi industry from a new and great disaster. 



"Let our opponents employ all legitimate means recognised by freedom 

 of competition to try to wrench from us the trade our industry and our 

 ability have created, but do not let them look to the Government for 

 support, or for supplying the means of falling upon us from behind." 



Exports of essential oils from 1899 to 1908. 





Exports from all Sicilian ports 

 and from Reggio (Calabria) 



Exports from 



Messina alone 





Gross weight 



Approx. value 



Gross weight 



Approx. value 





(kilos) 



(millions of Lire) 



(kilos) 



(millions of Lire) 



1899 



797,145 



11 



627,114 



8 



1900 



842,246 



11 



673,244 



9 



1901 



820,982 



13 



652,602 



10 



1902 



1085,497 



15 



903,319 



13 



1903 



864,770 



12 1 /* 



740,152 



10 



1904 



1006,103 



15 



848,352 



13 



1905 



868,244 



14 



742,567 



12 



1906 



948,328 



19 



781,139 



16 



1907 



1056,898 



24 



906,501 



21 



1908 



1059,311 



21 



879,753 



18 



Imports into Sicily in 1908 and 1909 of essential oils not specially 

 enumerated (from the Custom House Statistics): 

 Palermo 1028 kilos Palermo 



Catania 1116 „ Catania 



Messina 623 „ Messina 



1189 



kilos 



1420 



n 



220 



» 



Total 2767 kilos 



Total 2829 kilos 



