THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 415

Cotton Supply Association; they will go to a large
expense in carrying out the objects of the Association
which have been advocated here. One very important
object is to supply information. What the Cotton
Supply Association furnished has been printed in
every language used in Turkey, and has been dissemi-
nated through the provinces. With regard to Bruss,
the trade has been taken out of the hands of the
English by the French merchants. This must be
recovered by our industry and energy. The Italian
agents have penetrated into Persia and Central Asia
in search of what is called grain—the silkworm's
eggs. This Association could obtain a large supply
of silk from Central Asia by using its energies in
that direction. I should like to confirm what our
Indian friends have said with regard to India. Silk
culture is particularly available for the Mussulman
population. In Syria, silk culture is carried on, not
by the poorest classes, but by the wives and daugh-
ters of the respectable classes, nominally for the
purpose of pocket-money, but in reality as a means
of subsistence for the family. What this Association
has to do is to communicate to these persons correct
information as to improving the quality. I only
regret there is not time to go into many matters
which would strengthen our case, but this Association
will set a great deal of machinery in motion.

Mr. J. VAVASSEUR said:—The objects of this
Association, I take it, are twofold—to increase the
supply of silk and to improve the reeling. Mr. Jupe
objects to increase the field for supply; there is good
ground for his objection, because there is a large
amount of silk on the market, and yet the price is
very high; but Mr. Jupe loses sight of one thing,
that while you give a high price for silk, you do not
get the quality improved. While you continue to
give the Chinese such a high price for silk, they will
not pay any attention to its improved reeling. There
is a general concurrence of opinion as to the large
field in which silk can be produced: there is no
difficulty about the growth of the mulberry tree—
there is no difficulty in the reeling up to a certain
point—the great difficulty is when the cocoon is
spun; the growers of silk are at a loss to know what
to do with it; information should be disseminated
upon this point. Measures should be adopted for
taking the raw material direct from the growers. I
must say that the objects of the Association will in
a measure fail, unless efforts are concentrated on that
point. If the grower finds a difficulty in getting rid
of the material, he will be discouraged from further
efforts. If information is placed in his way, there is
every chance of success.

Mr. BROOKE said:—We deem it desirable, under
a certain form, to establish an Association; but I am
satisfied, unless you get every section of the silk trade
in England to support you, you cannot succeed. I
am not going to say anything to discourage the
attempt, but I want you to look the difficulties in the
face. It may be very well if you can supply the
throwsters with a large quantity of silk—it is very
well to supply large quantities for the brokers and
speculative dealers—but it will be of little use unless
you can interest the large body of manufacturers in
England. (Mr Brooks then spoke of the influence
of the French Treaty upon the silk trade, and
continued.) I should like to see the matter taken
up by all the large manufacturers and throwsters.
Unless you can show to our operatives that you can
improve their rates of wages, nothing in the world
will improve the silk trade of this country. I do ask
you to take a serious view of the large manufacturing
silk industry of this country, and obtain for it terms
as advantageous as possible. You will thus confer
a great benefit on a large portion of the population of
this country which is now almost starving.

The CHAIRMAN said:—In the Borough of Maccles-
field we have two thousand empty houses, arising
from distress in the silk trade. We are trying to do
something to increase the prosperity of silk manufac-
ture by attempting to increase the supply of the raw
material. This Association has nothing of a political
character; it has nothing in regard to Acts of
Parliament, Art Education, or any other questions
brought into connection with the silk trade. Unless
we confine our attention to the sole object of increasing
the supply of the raw material without reference to
whom it will or may affect, I believe we shall go
wrong. Every department of Her Majesty's Govern-
ment will no doubt aid the efforts of this Association
to the utmost extent in their power. The Association
is not attempting to secure individual profit; it is a
combination for the good of a trade which is really
of national importance. We must not mix up this
question either with the French Treaty or questions
of Free Trade; if we do, we shall be shivered into a
thousand sections. We must have one common
ground on which to unite. I took occasion to bring
this subject before the Chamber of Commerce at
Macclesfield, at their last meeting. It was unani-
mously approved of by the silk men of Macclesfield,
who cordially agreed with the objects of the
Association. We have not received one letter or
communication which throws the slightest doubt on
the necessity and practical nature of the objects on
the Association—every one wishes it success; it is
really a Silk Manufacturers' Association. We cannot
expect to have the support of the great houses of
brokers. We have not failed to appeal to Messrs.
Durant, Messrs. Eaton, and others. They have said
in effect, "We shall be glad to sell as much silk as
you will bring to us." Whilst we hope to continue
on friendly terms with the great brokers, this is a
manufacturers' question; therefore, when we get
samples of silk, our friend Mr. Dickins will have to
make use of the silk brokers, as the Cotton Supply
Association does of the cotton brokers.

Mr. DAVID CHADWICK, M.P., proposed, and Mr.
BROCKLEHURST seconded the resolution:—That Mr.
Thomas Dickins be requested to accept the office of
President of the Association.

Mr. CHADWICK said a more able President they
could not have. Mr. Dickins had retired from
business, and was willing to devote a great portion of
his time in futhering the objects of the proposed
Association, and congratulated those present upon
having secured his co-operation.

Mr. THOMAS DICKINS moved that David Chadwick,
Esq., M.P., do accept the office of Treasurer to the
Association, and said:—Before I put this resolution
I wish to thank you for the great honour you have
conferred upon me by placing me at the head of this
Institution. I have not sought this honour; I have
desired that some more worthy person should occupy
the position. But at the request of my friends
Messrs. Chadwick and Brocklehurst I agreed to accept
it. I have studied the question of silk culture for
many years, and have paid dearly for it. I am content
to study it still more. I am willing to give as much
time as I can to promote the objects of this Associa-
tion, and to give information to every one willing to
receive it, in any part of the world, with reference to
silk industry.

Mr. KIPLING seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.

Sir DANIEL COOPER. Bart., moved:—That P. L.
Simmonds, Esq., F.S.S., be requested to act as
honorary secretary.

Dr. HYDE CLARKE seconded the motion, which
was carried, and said:—It will be a great benefit to
the Association that it has for its honorary secretary
a gentleman who is so well known for his numerous