Page:(Commercial character) The Joseph Fisher lecture in commerce, delivered at the University of Adelaide (IA commercialcharac00jessrich).pdf/31

27 and in 1902 at £5,560,000, an increase of only £230,000; while the value of the exports for the same period rose from £11,335,000 to £19,300,000. In other words, there was a growth in the excess of exports over imports in the period of no less a value than £7,735,000. The production of soda rose from 42,000 tons in 1878 to about 400,000 tons at the present day; while the production of sulphuric acid increased from 112,000 tons in 1878 to 857,000 tons in 1901. The principal chemical manufactures exported were Antipyrin, Antifebrin, Alizarine, Aniline, and other dyes made from coal tar, Oil of Aniline, Quinine, Cyanide of Potassium, and Indigo. My statements in reference to Germany are drawn from a volume entitled "Modern Germany," by Mr. O. Elzbacher [sic]. He tells us that the commanding position of Germany's chemical industry is in no way due to Nature's bounty, for she is largely dependent on foreign nations for the supply of chemical raw products, which she works up into chemical manufactures. The great success of Germany's chemical industry is attributed by Mr. Elzbacher to the simultaneous action of the following causes:—


 * 1) The natural disposition and aptitude of the individual German for close, patient, persevering, and painstaking work and study.
 * 2) The munificent and enlightened assistance and encouragement given by the German Governments to the study of chemistry in all its branches, regardless of expense and regardless of immediate profitable returns.
 * 3) The spirit of combination and the absence of jealousy among