Fae 
252 Vegetable Fibres Available for 
Again, the price asked for this new gold-mine of a fibre 
(probably the only feature which could raise spirit enough to 
importitat all) will bea fabulous one; one,two, or three hun- 
dred per cent above value, which raises another insuperable 
barrier against it becoming a regular import; whereas, 
the simple cost, plus a moderate profit, would enable 
the material to be consumed for some rough uses, 
whilst skill is perfecting its processes by which to prepare it 
for its finer uses. If in the future Britain sustains her posi- 
tion as the great manufacturer of the world, and increases 
her wealth thereby, as heretofore, it must be by marching 
in advance and by seizing the opportunities which the 
varied produce of her empire of all climes brings her so 
lavishly. But one is led to ask whether the true British 
spirit and pride of originality which called into exist- 
ence our most important manufacturers and the re- 
sulting wealth have not died out, when prominently 
are seen only effeminated home investments ;—hotel 
keeping, money broking, buying up established businesses, 
at ten years purchase of profits, to be left to officials to pay 
dividends from capital; whilst the elements of wealth— 
wealth moderate at first, but steadily and surely growing 
to the enormous and gigantic—lie rotting within gunshot 
of our ports, in other climes. The present day may be one 
when men cannot wait to see whether the crop be cockle 
or barley, or, if faintly discerned, cannot afford to wait until 
it grows; but such is not the spirit which has elevated 
Britain’s commerce or her people’s wealth. Ifa portion of 
the surplus capital of England, instead of being expended 
on undertakings of the “ Gottup Hotel Company ” class for 
the benefit of office holders, were directed towards pro- 
ducing useful fibres in our colonies and dependencies, it 
would produce a high remuneration to its owners of a stable 
character yearly increasing. Against this it is urged 
that these products are best brought into the market 
by colonists or natives upon the demand becoming known. 
But it is found in practice that demand is zz/ until the pro- 
duce is offered on the market at such a price as will permit 
its use. Further, a willingness on the part of colonial 
merchants to supply produce ordered in advance does not 
meet the case: nor will the growers or collectors make 
arrangements for crops for which they cannot ensure a 
regular demand; and besides, the manufacturer cannot 
give out his orders for raw materials to be supplied to him 
at perhaps two yearshence. If new or little used materials 
