32 
long time to enable all unsuitable trees being eliminated, and tbe 
process again repeated until tbe whole stock could be guaranteed. 
Instead of seeds, cuttings could be used to start with, or as an 
alternative, but in either case the whole process of selection or 
re-selection, would take at least 20 years before a final result could be 
be attained. This, therefore, does not seem a very suitable procedure. 
The other alternative is to introduce new stock from the 
Amazon. The whole matter should be under Government control, 
and seed in such quantities imported that a sufficient supply for the 
needs of the whole Peninsula could be assured. I would also 
suggest that a Mycologist be sent with the expedition to "tudy any 
disease that might attack trees in their wild state. Experiments in 
variation of yield might also be made on the spot. 
The future of the rubber industry demands immediate action. 
Such an expedition as suggested would naturally entail considerable 
expenditure, but even .£50,000 or £100,000 would not be too much to 
pay for the protection of the immense interests at stake. 
The example of the Dutch Netherlands Indies Government in 
taking control of all tobacco, sugar and cinchona seed distribution 
should be a sufficient indication to our own Government of the 
necessity of controlling an industry which is now rapidly becoming, 
if it has not already become, their chief source of revenue. 
Discussion, 
The Chairman (Mr. R>. W. Munro) : We have heard something 
extraordinarily interesting just now. We expected to have another 
paper to-day on this subject, but I think we can take it as read, as it 
will be duly published. But this from Mr. Malet is quite one of the 
most interesting we have ever had. Any planter in any country 
knows the position and knows it from the start. But the whole 
question covers so much ground that, it is rather difficult to see how 
we are going to start this very excellent proposition. In importing 
seeds and trees tb^re are difficulties, but the seed which you wish to 
have imported is the chief thing after all. The principle laid down 
by Mr. Malet is, of course, sound. In giving my own opinion on the 
matter I should certainly say that all of us planters entirely agree 
with everything that Mr. Malet says. We are, I am sure, much 
obliged to him for his very interesting paper. 
