RUBBER PRICES INCREASE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21811, 17 June 1936, Page 10

RUBBER PRICES INCREASE

RESULT OF RESTRICTED v OUTPUT f PLANTATION MANAGER VISIT* DOMINION [THE PRESS SpeeUJ Serrtce.l DUNEDIN, June 16. “Rubber planters have been having a difficult time lately because of-over-production resulting from extensive planting by the natives "in the Dutch Eact Indies,” said Mr L. E. White, plantation manager of the Dominion Rubber Company’s estate at Khota Baru, Malaya, in an interview to-day. “Lately, however, the output has been restricted by an international agreement, ■which ha* had the effect of putting up the price.” When Mr White left Malaya, rubber was selling at 7d a pound, which, meant that they were just able tomake it pay. The rubber output in--1935 was 416,891 tons, and by the, international agreement only 65 per cent, of the total crop was allowed to be exported. Under this agree . ment stocks were going down at the rate of 10,000 tons a month, and the . potential output and consumption were expected to balance about 1940After that it was thought that the agreement would continue, but that the planters would be able to export 100 per cent, of their crop. i The two plantations which are managed by Mr White cover about 2000 acres, and between 300 and 400 trees are tapped every day. Each is tapped on alternate days, the process consisting of cutting a spiral incision in the bark and placing a cup beneath, into which the sap drains. One tree will produce 61b of dry rubber a year.