49 



changes to which we have alluded have materially diminished the 

 value of exhibiting as a means of obtaining direct orders for their 



goods. 



Note. — There will be no " faker" stands or side-shows as above- 

 mentioned at the Rubber Exhibition, and every effort will be made to 

 attract the class of visitors who will benefit the Exhibitors. 



***** 



To a large extent it would appear the amount of direct benefit 

 which may be derived from exhibiting by any particular firm is 

 dependent on whether that firm is represented at the Exhibition by 

 an efficient agent. In many cases, it is said, the attendants in charge 

 of a stall at an exhibition are unable to describe the goods exhibited 

 in a correct and intelligible manner. 



***** 



A number of firms who, from the nature of their exhibits, can 

 expect little or no direct return to compensate them for their outlay, 

 still continue to exhibit at fairly frequent intervals. In doing this 

 many have no doubt been influenced by the fear that they might lose 

 their place in the trade if they failed to be represented at exhibitions 

 when their competitors were showing ; but there are, on the other 

 hand, not a few who regard their expenditure on exhibitions in the 

 light of a necessary item in their general scheme of advertisement. 

 ***** 



To a large extent the question which we have to decide is not 

 whether it pays to exhibit, but whether, under modern conditions, we 

 can afford not to exhibit. We think that the evidence which we have 

 obtained affords convincing proof that the answer to this question is 

 in the negative. 



***** 



It is difficult to find important arguments against exhibitions 

 whose utility as a whole is admitted. Some criticisms in the case of 

 special commodities based on expense and distance, and doubts 

 whether the benefits equal the outlay, seem to be the principal, but 

 for the most part opinions are in favour of exhibitions. 



Synthetic Rubber. 



As judging by the correspondence and personal enquiries at the 

 Botanic Gardens, as to synthetic rubber, it seems that there are still 

 a large number of people scared at this phantom, the following little 

 article from the India-Rubber World may perhaps relieve their minds 

 and cause them to understand what synthetic rubber is. 



Concerning Synthetic Rubber. 



Just why so many people think that they achieve synthetic rubber, 

 and why so many more — rubber planters, importers, and manufacturers- 

 are fearful that it will come and in some way upset their business, it is 

 hard to imagine. Reviewing the year's progress in this line the pro- 



