RUBBER PRICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 44, 22 February 1926, Page 7

RUBBER PRICES.

THE AMERICAN VIEW. SUGGESTED "RETALIATION." I According to recent Press cables. J America ia much exercised over the increasing price of crude rubber, which it is claimed has been brought about by the restrictions placed on the production of plantation rubber under the British Stevenson scheme. It should be understood that Great Britain controls CO per cent of the capital invested in rubber plantations, and the U.S.A. only 4 per cent. The present situation 'is cleverly "hit off'" in the following extract from the New York "Evening World." The extract is in the form of an exchange of open letters between two old friends, and is as follows: — To John Bull, London, England.— Dear Old Pal, —Things are rather jumpy over here, and I thought I would write you a line and see what you could do. Rubber prices are especially jumpy, with the accent on the jump. Every morning I call up my garage to find out what tyres cost to-day. It is terrible. Folks are walking on their uppers —they can't afford rubber heels. When I park my car along the kerbing I don't care who steal 3 my motor or crankshaft if they only leave the tyres alone. I have been making inquiries about the high cost of rubber, and they intimate that it has something to do "with you. This naturally surprised mc. I didn't think you raised anything but novelists and lecturers. But no, they say you control four-fifths of the world's supply of rubber. And I want to tell you, John, your control is perfect. There is certainly some bounce to your rubber prices. Now of cour3e I appreciate how you feel about it. You owe mc a lot of money from the late war, and you are squaring up with this rubber embargo. But, John, be reasonable, please. We have practically paid for the war by buying your crude liquor without soaking us with this crude rubber thing. I am sure you don't realise what you're doing to mc. or do you? I admit all my folks are prosperous. Everybody here owns his own motor ear, bvit only the rich can now afford to buy tyres. It is pitiable to see my people on the highways trying to patch inner tubes to stand one more blowout. Tf you could spe these sights along the roads on Sunday afternoon I am sure you -would choke up. At least, I hope you'd choke. Millions of my people ride around in. Fordfi and it's a mighty tough hardship on them. For I ass-ure you, John, that tires make some difference when riding in a fliv, though heaven knows it's not much. But your rubber quotations are causing intense suffering to many other folks. Babies are crying for rubber nipples, flappers arc losing their marcel waves for lack of bathing caps, and cross word puzzle fane are frantically clutching at erasers as a drowning man grasps at a bale of hay. "What's the matter with you, anyhow? Didn't we give the Prince of Wales a good time? Haven't we made your distilleries prosperous? Well, then, I what's ailing you? If you don't lay off this rubber holdup P.D.Q. we mar Ido a little retaliating ourselves. We i can more than get even with you any time we wish by repealing prohibition. Think this over. John, and I'd appreciate a prompt reply. Your friend, UNCLE SAM. To Uncle ?am, Washington, U.S.A. Dear Sam, —Replying to your lovely letter, would say that it has certainly been top-hole weather we've been having lately. My folks are having great sport up in Scotland shooting grouse and we admire your President Cool-i-dge very much. Michael Arlen is at; work on a new novel. The cinema ree.l3 you send over are perfectly rotten, but we go to see them because we love you. Your jazz bands are also ripping, old fruit. Well, Sam. toodle-00. It was simply corking of you to write, and if then/is anything I can do for you, be sure to let mc know. Affectionately, JOHN* BULL.