INTRODUCTION. ~ 13 
instead of being sent to Great Britain. Thus the hardening process has prevented an 
enhancement of the prices of the basic materials, and of the soap itself, which would 
have considerably restricted both the consumption and the production. 
The extent to which the use of soap is increasing in all civilized countries may 
be judged from the example of the United States. The Census of Production in that 
country for 1904, published in 1905, showed a production of 605000 tons, while the 
Census for 1909, published in 1910, gave as much as 775000 tons, that is to say an 
increase by weight of 27,4 p.c. corresponding to an increase in value of as much as 
54,8 p.c. Without the additional sources for the supply of basic materials which have 
been newly disclosed by the progress of chemical technology the production would 
have been unable to keep pace with the requirements of the consumption. According 
to the results of the two North American census years which have been quoted, the 
consumption of tallow in that country decreased between 1904 and 1909 by 27679 tons, 
and that of caustic soda by 19000 tons, while in the same period the consumption of 
cocoa-nut and palm-oil increased by 20000 tons, of cotton seed oil by 44000 tons, of 
rosin by 17857 tons, and so on. The utilization of linseed oil has become of increasing 
importance for the soap industry of the United States, as for that of all other countries.” 
We reproduce this article in full, because it will no doubt greatly interest our 
readers among the soap manufacturers. 
The conditions governing the sale of our manufactures in Australia have been 
normal. In view of the fact that the climatic conditions have everywhere been 
favourable, and especially because rains have not been wanting, an abundant wheat 
crop is expected, and sheep-farming also has progressed favourably. It may therefore 
be taken for granted that these factors will have the effect of increasing the purchasing 
power of the people. 
In British India, however, a different state of affairs prevails. Business, which has 
been brisk, is now growing somewhat duller, mainly owing to the failure of the so- 
called winter rains, which usually set in in India towards the end of December, but 
which this season have either been wanting, or have been insufficient, over almost 
the whole of the country. In many districts the crop has been a complete failure. 
This applies especially to the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, and to certain 
districts in the Presidency of Bombay'*) where it is said that in some parts the con- 
dition of things is very bad indeed. Throughout an area in the United Provinces 
covering 17000 sq. miles, with a population of over five millions (equal to the 
population of Australia), there is said to be great distress, while over a further area 
of 30000 sq. miles, with a population of 14 millions, the prospects are described as 
being but little better. In many districts the peasants are said to be selling their 
cattle cheaply, while in other parts, for want of fodder, comparatively large numbers 
of cattle are reported to be dying of hunger. The Government has already ordered 
the carrying out of relief-works, such as the making of canals and roads, in order to 
provide work and sustenance for the population. This is always done in similar cases 
in order that the people may have a chance of providing a livelihood, at any rate to 
some extent, for their families. Of course the districts which have been afflicted by 
distress up to the present constitute only a small proportion of the country, both in 
respect of area and of population, and although the local significance of the famine is 
very serious, the further course of events must be awaited before general conclusions 
can be drawn. It is yet too early to express an opinion whether the distress will 
1) Nachr. f. Hand., Ind. u. Landw. 1914, No. 24. 
