36 o 
tealices 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. 1 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 nulls 
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 : 
Is t' The fibre would be extracted in the form of filasse, easily 
packed, and a great saving in freight effected as compared with 
ribbons. 
2 nd. A profit would be made on the enhanced price the filasse 
could command as compared with ribbons over-burdened with 
freight. 
jrd . — 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 — 
(a) 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 I 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. 
[f 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 
errowing &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 
Citations, and by recommending capitalists to take up the planting, 
filassing, spinning, weaving, &c. 
I think the Government would do wisely to advertise the possi- 
