Dec. 1, 1899.] ■ THE TROPICAL 
To the Editor. 
COLLLECTIVE ACTION FOR TEA 
GROWEKS. 
London, Nov, 17. 
Dear Sir,— Those who have caretully investi- 
gateil, admit that a combination exists among 
buyers, which is undoubtedly evidenced by their 
strong Buyers Association at Birmingham and 
what is soon started in London, extraneous 
evidence too iias come from America, shewing 
conclusively that an arrangement has existed 
among the larger buyers in London, for some 
years. 
LOSS BY FALL IN EXCHANGE, 
What is unsatisfactory in the position ot tea 
just now is the loss the interest has sustained 
by exchange. If this were recovered, profits 
would average 4 per cent, more than at present, 
but so long as the buyers are strengthened by 
their Associations ; unless met by similar methods ; 
it is diflicult to see how a permanent recovery 
can be accomplished. Organization must alwajs, 
in the long run, beat what is not organized ; 
discipline what is indisciplined. 
REGULATION OF SUPPLIES, 
Supply and demand will undoubtedly in time 
fairly adjust prices, but in the lengthened pro- 
cess of the swing, first credit and then capital 
CO, By a system of regulation, now almost 
universally adopted by the various industries of 
Great Britain, the great extremes of the crude 
supply and demand process, are eased and a 
more moderate result ensues. It has been found 
that by allowing the price of any product to 
fall to a low level, that it is next to impossible 
to re-establish it. This, of course, applies more to 
imperishable, rather than perishable commodities, 
and in this respect tea is favoured. When 
Patiison's Whisky Company failed, the trade 
arranged that the stock should not be thrown 
on ibe market, simply, in case it should establish 
a lower price. Thus within the process of supply 
and demand, the extremes produced are modified, 
a more average result ensues, investors know 
better where they are ; and an industry is better 
established and accredited. 
3o far everything goes to shew that the 
organization is only on the side of the buyers, 
the seller, using no means of meeting them ; 
in this the produce markets of Great Britain 
stand alone. 
THE INDIAN TEA ASSOCIATION'S MEASURES. 
Since most of the foregoing was written the 
Indian Tea Planters' Association in London has 
wisely regulated its sales, and if Ceylon would 
only do the same, say, from 1st May to .31st 
October, prices would be improved. (Since " re- 
gulation " has come in, it is only necessary to 
compare now much better, relatively, Indian teas 
have sold than Ceylons. A very casual glance 
over sale lists will prove this. It should be the 
endeavour of Ceylon to begin regulating their 
sales from May next. 
The beneficial result of regulation by Mie 
Indian growers is shewing itself in an earlier 
return to better prices and against a less favour- 
able statistical position at the same time last 
AGRICULTURIST. 429 
A TEA PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION MUST BE FORMED. 
The only way of meeting buyers on equal 
grounds now ; is for a Tea Producers' Association 
of London to be formed and after due attention 
has been made, to regulation of sales of all teas, 
to bear the following in view. 
To facilitate also the production of tea to its 
requirements, the Association should have a record 
department, wherein should be kept at the dis- 
posal of members, complete statistical and 
general information, with compiled tables made 
therefrom. These should be as complete aa 
possible so as to have some influence in pre- 
venting unwise extensions. 
EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC. 
There should also be some effort made at 
educating the public, for already, although the 
less discriminating are satisfied, those who can 
pay for their teas have little opportunity of 
obtaining the choicest blends and of which, 
most know nothing. 
There is a large grocer in an important pro- 
vincial town who buys wholesale Is Id, Is 2d and 
Is 3d, teas which he retails respectively at Is 4d, 
Is Sd and 2s per lb. Indeed a close investigation 
shews that such anomalies exist small sides. 
OBNOXIOUS REDUCTION IN VARIETY OF TEAS. 
The worst feature, from a producer's point of 
view, is the growing efforts to reduce teas to only 
two or three kinds ; when there should really be 
as great a choice as there are of wines. Against 
this the strongest stand should be made. So far 
as has brought • the staple down to an indiscri- 
minate mass, without distinctive flavour, or 
character, a practical blending of port, sherry, 
and claret to a general average. To anyone with 
a palate for what is delicate and choice it has 
no attraction and the fear is that amongst our 
customers, who are prepared to pay for a choice 
article, that they will sooner or later revert to 
coffee and chocolate. Unfortunately this catering 
for the masses, in cheap teas in packets, has 
drawn in the thrifty, though well-to-do, house- 
Avife to purchase Is 4d instead of 2s teas, and 
until some effort is made to shew the distinction, 
things are likely to become worse rather than 
better. From cottage to palace, one and all are 
buying cheap teas in a manner never known 
before, not from choice, but ignorance. 
Medium teas have little value in the public 
market. Large quantities of low-priced are blended 
with a strain of anything likely to make them pass 
muster. Buyers recognise two kind.s, high and 
lose, but are determined to throw the bulk, the 
medium teas out of competition, consequently, 
whether by a preconcerted arrangement or not, 
they fall to the buyer without any apparent 
public competition whatever. 
THE PUBLIC BUYS AS IT IS TAUGHT. 
There are people who will say, the public buy 
what they want. This is a mistake, those of 
the public who have an opportunity of judging 
are not satisfied. The bulk are led by advertis- 
ments and what appears in the interested public 
papers, and which the Association should refute 
for instance it is advertised everywhere, " that 
the best tea the world produces " can be bought 
for Is 7d ; personally, the writer considers this 
Is 7d tea dear at tlie money, and not Avhat a 
gentleman or lady should have on their table. He 
also recognises among well-to-do people, that 
good China is gaining ground; which can only 
