Such an important matter could not be solved by half-measures; it was necessary and even indispensable to adopt a plan embracing all the solutions suggested and proclaimed as being elements of success, thus obtaining a united plan entailing some complexity in its execution, it is true, yet clear and simple in its combined purposes. And this desideratum was achieved by the Federal Law No. 2,543 A of the fifth of January, 1912. MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT—RIO DE JANEIRO CONGRESS OF RUBBER—REGULATIONS OF THE NEW RUBBER DEFENSE ACT For a long time back the attention of the Brazilian Government has been drawn to the necessity of adopting a plan of defence for India rubber, which might solve in a practical and decisive manner the so-long-debated “problem of the North.” In August, 1911, the Minister of Agriculture, after a close study, made with the aid of specialists and persons having full knowledge of that region of the country, drew up a project in the above sense and, recognizing the necessity of still hearing those who are most directly interested in the matter, convened a meeting of representatives of the State Governments, Commercial Associations and other Institutions which might lead to a perfect understanding of what was most advisable to do. The first meeting was held on August 14, and the Government’s plan was hailed with great applause, the same being approved, with slight alterations, in the last session which took place on the twenty-second of the same month. By Message of September 14, 1911, Marshal Hermes da Fonseca, President of the Republic, sent to the National Congress for approval, the plan duly elaborated; after being carefully studied by Congress it was approved and converted into Law, under No. 2,543 A and was sanctioned on January 5, 1912. On April 17, 1912, Decree No. 9,521 was enacted with the Regulation for carrying out the measures and services provided for in the law of January. The measures and services prescribed by Law No. 2,543 A of January, 1912, for the economic defence of rubber, regulated by Decree No. 9,521 of April 17, 1912, are as follows: I. To encourage the rubber extractor and the cultivator of the principal rubber-producing trees. II. To form industries for the refinement and manufacture of rubber articles. III. To aid immigrants, both from the country and those who have recently arrived from abroad, and the workmen already established in the Amazon valley. IV. To render transport easy and decrease the cost in the Amazon valley. V. To install productive centres of food supplies in the Amazon valley. VI. To hold three-yearly exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro, comprehending all that relates to the rubber industry of the country.