In Japan. however. there are relatively large supplies of oysters. and with the development of new freezing methods it may be found practicable to ship the raw product. The statements I have made were predicated entirely upon the findings of the Tariff Commission. combined with my own lifelong knowledge of the oyster industry. The importation of Asiatic canned oysters is now* such a serious menace to the domestic trade that unless a duty is imposed on the imported product the cannedoyster industry in the United States will be completely wiped out. While I speak with a great deal of feeling on the subject. and again refer to the fact that onethird of the entire domestic oyster industry is centered in the Chesapeake Bay waters of Maryland and Virginia. yet it is interesting to note from the statistics I have submitted that in the cannedoyster trade the production in the State of Mississippi in 1928 was valued at $1.119.123. in South Carolina $728.870. in Alabama $176.330. in Louisiana and Texas $165.043. in North Carolina $145.102. in Georgia $119.730. and in Florida $73.160. as against only $233.218 in the State of Maryland for the same year. The competition of Asiatic countries in the canned oyster market has only been developed within the past two years. but prolises to wipe out the domestic trade unless a duty is imposed on the imported article. The duty suggested. 8 cents per pound. will in no way increase the price of domestic oysters to the consumer. but will merely permit our domestic producers to compete with the Japanese product.