NEW GUINEA RUBBER

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 40

NEW GUINEA RUBBER

SUPPLIES FOR AUSTRALIA

(Fhom Otjb Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, December 5. A very interesting conference was held in Melbourne the other day between represen- ,< iatives of Australian rubber manufacturers and' the rubber growers. I* marked a distinct stage in the rubber-growing industry in the South Seas. Prior to the war a great deal of the rubber used in the commonwealth came from the Malay States. Now praotically all the available supplies are wanted by the British Government for distribution among the allied nations, and, owing to the great shortage of shipping, supplies for Australia for ordinary commercial purposes are closely limited to only those which have the endorsement of the Imperial authorities. But stocks are becoming- increasingly available from the_ large new plantations in Papua and adjacent islands, and the Federal Government has taken the view thai it ia the interests of the Allies that these should be used in N Australia before demands are made on the valuable shipping space to bring rubber to Australia from A considerable amount of Australian capital has been invested in rubber plantations in these islands, and .the growers are naturally anxious to find a market as near home as possible. This polioy has been followed for some time. The rubber "has been shipped direct to Sydney, where considerable stocks have accumulated. But the question of price led to a deadlock. » The growers said they wanted only a fair price; the manufacturers would not look at the price asked. Neither side showirtg any sign of giving way, the Government called & conference, with the result that everything in dispute was amicably settled. The growers are to send all their rubber to Australia, tnjifl freeing Singapore supplies for 'the Allies j the manufacturers are to take all the rubber at the price fixed, which has not been disclosed i and the Government ia to see that the shipping is available, and that freights are kep'i within limits. This should greatly stimulate the important rubber-growing industry in New Guinea.