217 



We are suffering of course from disability, clue to the circum- 

 stance that our crop has not yet been through even one generation 

 under cultivation. 



What the figures of yield show is this, — that, carrying out a cer- 

 tain programme of tapping on trees of a certain age planted at a 

 certain number to the acre in the locality to which reference is made, 

 it is possible to manufacture so much rubber and generally this is 

 intended to be without apparent injury to the future. In the Company 

 reports for 1913, or for 1912-13, readily available, the highest figure 

 returned is at the rate of in lbs. per acre over 2,982 acres, including 

 some of the oldest rubber in Malacca. 



The steadying of prices is a great boon to the industry, though 

 it indicates the approximation of production and demand. 

 Although the long steady drop in prices through 1913 (on the 

 London market from 4s. 8d. in January to 2s. 5/^d. in December — 

 highest prices for first quality), undoubtedly went below the natural 

 limit which undisturbed supply and demand would have fixed, on 

 account of strikes, floods and financial uncertainty in America 

 (which country uses 60 per cent, of the world's output) and on 

 account of political anxiety in Europe, where in addition all the 

 markets received an extra quantity of the raw product in 

 consequence of stagnation in America, the fall was certainly 

 due to the increasing output ; and the drop after the present 

 recovery may be expected to be resumed. Recognising this all estates 

 seem to have been making most serious efforts to ascertain every 

 possible economy. 



The one economy of which most has been heard is that of the 

 reduction of wages. It cannot be denied that wages were excessive, 

 especially when in 1910 "a boy of 12 could get 40 to 50 cts. per 

 diem as a tapper and his work was over at 10-30 or li a.m." 

 Meeting on August lOth, 1913, the Malacca planters decided to 

 reduce wages from the 1st of October to 60 cents per diem for a 

 Chinese coolie or 40 cents for a Tamil, Malay or Javanese coolie ; the 

 task for a tapper to be 400 trees, or for weeding an eight-hours day. 

 With very little friction this change was brought about; and the 

 labour force in the country was demonstrated obviously sufficient for 

 the country's needs. It was estimated that the reduction in wages 

 would save twopence on each pound of rubber. 



Local selling, both in Singapore and Penang, is increasing, as it 

 results in a considerable saving in certain cases, especially when 

 direct shipment to the country of consumption follows. Freight 

 to, and wharf charges in, London have been reduced also. 



On the estates there is the natural economy due to the maturing 

 of the trees under which they yield more to the same amount of 

 labour, and further there are economies in cultivation thus: in 

 Malacca there are clean-weeded estates and estates on which a thin 



