The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-23
The MiI<ado's Government Now Has
Monopoly of the Output

II
a Monopoly of the Output.
Within year the camphor trade of
the world has become a monopoly The
trees which yield this fragrant and use
full gum are to be found all over Asia
and the East indies, but the principal pro-
duction from them is confined TO the ISL
and of Formosa, which belongs to Japan
China was never able to furnish more
than 100000 pounds year. and Japan now
produces about 100000 Formosa's annual
output for several years past has been
between 500, 600 and 100000 pounds Little
is 20 be had at present from any other
source, and there is no prospect of any
change in the situation for a long time
TO come.
In deciding 20 exercise control over the
production OF camphor. Japan has been
actuated by two motives. In the first
place, she wants to obtain revenue there
FROM as France does from the match and
cigar industries. But she also seeks t.
avert the killing of the goose which las
the golden eggs for her. In other words,
she has undertaken to protect the cam
phor forests. which were in danger of
extinction. A recent consular report from
Tamsui declares that no fewer than ]. 500
armed guards are to be placed on duty
on the edge of the forests, in order to
enforce regulations which have recently
been adopted. The destruction of young
camphor trees and of shoots from old
stumps has been prohibited by law The
gum Is obtained by telling the larger
trees, splitting them up and boiling the
wood. In the past ID has been common
to cut down young trees for fuel, but
this practice is now TO be stopped.
So ,ong as the law is complied with any
body may collect gum and prepare it for
market but il can be sold Only to the
government For that purpose Offices are
established all through the camphor dis
trict, with headquarters at Taipeh. De-
livered al this point crude camphor brings
30 yen per picul or SIS for 1873 pounds. A
limit is placed to the annual output, how
ever. and when this is reached the gov
eminent may refuse to buy. Moreover.
there must he a rigid Inspection of the
camphor before 1t is paid for. And 10
insure the taking OF pains In it's prepara-
ton standard samples have been dlstrib-
uted among the producers. The govern
ment has refinery at Taipeh. where the
stuff is subjected TO further publication.
1t is then compressed by hydraulic power
into ten-kin blocks d333 pounds). These
are wrapped in oiled paper. and packed by
tens in zinc-lined boxes for the market
The distribution and sale of the product
are conducted by an agent to whom the
government lets n contract. Bids from
prominent commercial houses were invited
last year. and the highest came from an
English firm of high standing The con-
tract has three years 10 run, and may
then be awarded 10 some one else n more
advantageous terms can be secured The
price which the contractor must pay ia
pan for the semi-reined gum is $3.50 pr
pcul and 1880 for the crude The redn-
Ing process wastes about 35 per cent. OF
the weight and the government so must
consider the cost OF running is camphor
bureau ard refinery. II II estimated that
an OF these items ada about $3.50 per
picul 10 the Si5 paid 10 tho PRODUCER
Hence the government clears about $40