THE WORLD'S RUBBER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 262, 5 November 1930, Page 4

THE WORLD'S RUBBER.

PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION. The growth in rubber production, following the removal of restriction, has exceeded the expectations of many authori-S ties, and the recent fall in the price to a new low record has undoubtedly" been partly due to the indications of a further increase in output for .. July, 'says the "Times." But iigures of consumption and shipment for ,tlie first half of 1930 compiled by a well-known Mincing Lane firm provide a reminder, that falling off in consuiription rather than increase in production has been chiefly responsible for the rapid deterioration in the statistical position. These figures of shipment and consumption compare as follows with those for the first half of 1929:— (Six months ended June 30.) 1930. 1929. Shipments— Tons. Tons. Malaya 215,000 218,000 Ceylon 36,000 38,000 Dutch East Indies ... 125,000 132,000 Other Eastern plantationg 22,000 23,000 Brazil and wild ..... 11,500 14,000 409,5,00 425,000 Consumption— 220,000 269,000 United Kingdom 32,500 31,500 Other countries 126,000 140,500 378,500 441,000 Thus, while consumption exceeded pro-' duction by 16,000 tons in the first half of 1929, production exceeded consumption by no fewer than 31,000 tons in the past six months. These figures also appear to show that although the May tapping holiday could not produce any internal improvement in the situation owing to the rapid decline in consumption, it was probably responsible for smaller shipments in the firsti half of the year. , I