The time is most opportune for holding such an Exhibition. This year will 
be a critical one in the history of the Rubber World. On the average price 
realised for the crude rubber will depend the prosperity of many planting 
companies. During 1907 the price of fine hard Para declined from 5/9 lb. to 3/3 lb. 
owing to various causes. The mere fact that an exhibition such as this is about 
to be held should encourage the aspirations of producers, for it offers the one chance . 
that the trade has hitherto lacked to show the numberless uses (practically 
unknown to most people) to which modern science and ingenuity have enabled 
rubber to be put. When the public realise the comfort, and often the economy, 
of using rubber flooring in front of and inside public and other buildings, on 
board ship, as well as for means of communication, mechanical, domestic, and 
a thousand and one other purposes, it cannot fail to stimulate the demand for, 
\nd, consequently, the consumption of, the raw material. 
The organizers are making arrangements for the delivery of Illustrated 
Lectures and Addresses on ct Rubber, its Uses, &c.,” and other cognate subjects. 
It is hoped that producers, as well as the trade generally, will attend such Lectures 
and, by taking part in the discussions, contribute to the general knowledge of the 
various matters dealt with. Their utility is exemplified by the fact that 
Mr. Herbert Wright, at the Society of Arts in London, delivered such an one, 
and this (as well as the discussion that followed) has been published and is now a 
recognised text-book. There is every reason to believe that an equally favourable 
reception will be extended to the publication of any of the Lectures delivered at 
the Exhibition; and rubber brokers, by taking part in the discussions and 
otherwise collaborating with the Committee, can greatly help to advertise London 
as a distributing centre, thus attracting the chief growers and dealers, and so help 
to develop the trade and prevent its transference elsewhere. Another feature of 
these Lectures will be the dissipation of mistaken impressions; for instance, it has 
been stated that Rambong {ficus elastied) and Castilloa Rubbers are not appreciated 
in London ; but as both these Rubbers form excellent foundations for certain 
goods, the probability is that the prejudice against them has been engendered 
by improper curing. The Lecturers, Scientists, and Engineers dealing with the 
matter will point out the remedy, and so remove an erroneous impression. The 
Exhibition and these Lectures will also afford the first opportunity that has been 
offered in this country for producers of Rambong, Ceara, Funtumia, Landolphias, 
etc., to exhibit the utility of their products prepared on scientific principles. 
No means will be neglected to secure the attendance of that class of visitors 
which will benefit exhibitors, and to this end the Committee will issue many 
thousands of invitations. In this connection a specially convenient and novel 
arrangement has been made, by which exhibitors themselves may send their own 
