36o 
teahces  us  to  our  cost.  A Lancashire  Cotton  Famine  would  not 
be  possible  if  supplies  of  Ramie  were  forthcoming.  It  would  also 
help  to  make  a self-contained  Empire — we  should  produce  all  we 
want  independently  of  other  countries,  d he  fibre  is  as  easily 
worked  as  it  is  grown,  and  I see  no  reason  why  the  industry  should 
not  be  fostered  in  your  Colony,  from  cultivation  to  spinning,  or 
even  weaving  (from  the  field  to  the  loom). 
I would  suggest  the  Government  provides  seeds  or  plants.  It  is 
easily  grown  from  seed.  In  every  District  where  the  plant  is  freely 
grown,  set  up  decortication  and  degumming  stations,  such  as  mills 
grind  the  corn  here  or  the  central  stations  crush  the  sugar-cane  in 
Queensland.  If  the  Government  does  not  put  up  these  stations, 
then  they  should  encourage  the  capitalists  to  form  Syndicates  by 
giving  a bonus  on  the  amount  produced. 
The  degumming  stations  would  be  highly  profitable  : 
ist. — The  fibre  would  be  extracted  in  the  form  of  filasse,  easily 
packed,  and  a great  saving  in  freight  effected  as  compared  with 
ribbons. 
2nd, — A profit  would  be  made  on  the  enhanced  price  the  filasse 
could  command  as  compared  with  ribbons  over-burdened  with 
freight. 
^rd, — The  waste  products  would  be  source  of  income,  and  would 
shew  a profit  on  the  cost  of  working  the  fibre  to  filasse. 
The  by-products  are — 
fa)  the  gum,  which  is  very  valuable. 
(h)  the  fibre  in  the  leaves  and  lateral  shoots  could  be  worked 
into  proper  pulp — this  would  command  a high  price,  as  it  makes 
the  finest  paper. 
All  these  products — the  filasse,  the  gum  and  the  pulp,  would 
command  good  prices  in  England,  and  if  your  manufacturers  will 
treat  the  fibre  in  the  Colony  there  is  no  reason  why  the  yarns 
should  not  be  sent  over  here  after  retaining  sufficient  for  your 
home  supplies. 
If  the  Government  will  fall  in  with  my  suggestions  1 shall  be 
pleased  to  offer  my  services  on  the  principle  ‘no  cure  no  pay’ — i,e. 
I am  content  to  take  my  remuneration  in  share  of  profit. 
If  the  Government  is  of  opinion  the  trade  would  be  best  con- 
ducted by  private  enterprise,  I think  the  initial  stages  could  be 
fostered  by  Government  making  the  preliminary  experiments  as  to 
growing  &c.,  offering  planters  the  seed  or  plants,  either  free  or  at 
very  low  rates,  and  by  offering  assistance  in  the  shape  of  loans  for 
planters  to  get  large  tracts  under  cultivation,  and  to  the  District 
Councils  to  enable  them  to  put  up  decorticating  and  degumming 
stations,  and  by  recommending  capitalists  to  take  up  the  planting, 
filassing,  spinning,  weaving,  &c. 
I think  the  Government  would  do  wisely  to  advertise  the  possi- 
