QUOTA SYSTEM IN MALAYA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21184, 3 November 1938, Page 2

QUOTA SYSTEM IN MALAYA

PROTECTION OF RUBBER AND TIN INDUSTRIES Trade conditions in Malaya and Ceylon were described as quite good by Sir George Shirtcliffe, of Wellington, who returned in the Orient liner Orcades from a six weeks’ holiday visit to those parts of the East. He was accompanied by Lady Shirtcliffe. Sir George said that the rubber and tin-mining industries in Malaya and the production of tea in Ceylon were now operated under a quota system which cut down the possible production by 50 per cent. The operation of the quota had resulted in maintenance of payable prices and the result 'was that the three Industries were now operating on a satisfactory basis. The huge graving dock at the Singapore naval base was opened about the time Sir George and Lady Shirtcliffe arrived there. Sir George said that the air defences of Singapore were being considerably strengthened, nevertheless, he could not help but feel that the Eastern countries he had visited were still very vulnerable to attack. It was evident, he added, that Britain was working in with Holland to increase the strength of the combined defences of both nations in that part of the world. Holland, of course, had valuable colonial possessions in the Dutch East Indies. Sir George said he did not notice afiy effect on trade in the East from the Sino-Japanese war except that there were fewer Japanese goods on sale in the shops.