46
47
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the rivalry of regions
where
Every
natural advantage is associated
with the moderate
pay
and moderate
profits of the native cultivator? In the Countries I have visited such as
Siam, the Netherlands and the Spanish Eastern Archipelago there are productive capabilities which whenever they are assisted by capital and improved machinery must place
the West Indian Colonies at an
immense disadvantage. In the course of a short time the agricultural element in China will probably receive a great development. In two
years
and with small advance in prices China was able to
fill the
vacuum
in the Silk Markets created by the failure of the French and Italian crop
and to send to Europe in a single
season
of raw Silk of a value of nearly
£10,000,000 Sterling. I believe her cotton producing power to
be enormous and am
surprised that more attention has not been given to China in the discussions which have
often looked important
for a supply of this all-important raw material to regions whence only disappointment will come. The Southern Provinces of China have
great aptitudes for sugar production. I hope I may be excused for this seeming digression