616 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[Septemher I. 1913. 



The Struggle Between Brazil and the Far East. 



WHILE the "Awakening of Brazil" has been generally 

 recognized as one of the most interesting factors in the 

 economic history of the day, it has given rise to criti- 

 cism in Europe. In particular, the (piestion is discussed by M. 

 Jules Tilmant, in the "lUillctin de 1' Association des Planteurs de 

 Caoutchouc," and being published in the organ of that repre- 

 sentative body, his remarks, while specially intended for Eu- 

 ropean capitalists, invite general attention and consideration. 



One of the chief points urged is that what might have been 

 possible in Brazil had systematic plantations been established 

 ten years ago, is now difficult, if not impossible of execution. 

 In other words, had Brazil gone in for rubber planting at the 

 same time as the Far East, she would now have been in a bet- 

 ter position to meet Asiatic competition. Taking matters, how- 

 ever, as ihey are. M. Tilmant asks whether it is still possible to 

 make up for lost time, and whether the measures proposed are of 

 such a nature as to offer a prospect of the desired results being 



accomplished. 



INCRE.XSED PRODUCTION. 



In view of the position occupied by plantation rubber as a re- 

 sult of larger production, the increase of Brazilian output 

 has naturally engaged primary attention. This end would ap- 

 parently be attainable through planting on an extensive scale 

 and through the adoption of modern methods of tapping. But, 

 as M. Tilmant remarks in speaking of the former subject: 



"This augmented output might have been anticipated had plant- 

 ing been undertaken at an earlier date and had the necessary 

 labor been available in Brazil. But, apart from the difficulties 

 and tentative methods inherent to every new industry, and the 

 obstacles presented by the unhealthy climate to the introduction 

 of foreign labor — some five years must elapse before the first 

 results can be looked for. By that time, what will be the price 

 of the article? Admitting simply that the actual progress of the 

 Far Eastern plantations will be continued upon the same scale. 

 a new and serious fall in rubber must be foreseen." 



ADOPTION OF EASTERN TAPPING METHODS. 



With reference to the adoption of Eastern tapping methods. 

 M. Tilmant expresses the opinion that the advantages of mod- 

 ern processes will only exercise any real effect when the system 

 as carried out in the Far East has been fully introduced. This 

 would consist in the estnbli.sbment of regular plantations, form- 

 ing blocks containing several thousands of Hevea trees, which, 

 by the concentration of their working, would allow of intensive 

 and regular tapping by a relatively small number of native 

 laborers. 



Concentrated exploitation being an indispensable factor of re- 

 munerative working, M. Tilmant asks whether this method could 

 at present be applied in Brazil to the extraction of wild rubber. 

 He does not regard such a course as probable, the Hcvcci trees 

 being generally in small groups. If the Malayan system were 

 applied, the scriiigiiciros would have to remain all the season at 

 the same place, tapping at the most forty or fifty trees evei'y 

 two or three days. In order that their work may be remunera- 

 tive, they should tap at least 100 to 200 trees a day, which is 

 impracticable, seeing that the Hcvea trees are scattered in small 

 ■groups, sometimes at great distances. 



SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR PI..\NTAT10NS. 



While expressing doubt as to the general policy of Brazilian 

 plantations, il. Tilmant calls attention to the fact that there are 

 regions not far from Para where plantations might be estab- 

 lished. It would, however, be necessary to choose relatively 

 elevated locations, above the level of inundations and with good 

 facilities of transportation to the point of export. Among the 

 general heads calling for investigation would be that of ob- 



taining labor at a rate which would not be prohibitive. As the 

 climate in the immediate vicinity of Para is far from being as un- 

 healthy as in the forests of the Upper Amazon, it is considered 

 likely that workers could be obtained on suitable terms for 

 the former region. It is added that the above subjects deserve 

 thorough investigation on the spot. 



EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS. 



It is recommended to follow in Brazil the policy at first adopt- 

 ed in Ceylon, of being guided by the results shown by the ex- 

 perimental stations, before planting on a larger scale. Trials 

 should be conducted for several years and the results compared 

 with those of the Far East. In the establishment of these ex- 

 perimental stations it is suggested that an examination be made 

 of the chemical composition of the soil, as well as of the drain- 

 age. The latter point is indispensable for the successful cultiva- 

 tion of Hcvea. in view of the height attained by the waters of 

 the Amazon during the rainy season. Another subject of in- 

 vestigation should be the supply of water available in the dry 

 season. 



FISCAL MEASURES. 



Attention is called to the fact that the graduated reduction of 

 export duty, which would diminish that charge by one-half within 

 five years, would still leave it at 10 per cent., as compared with 

 2 per cent, in the Far East. Disapproval is expressed of the 

 granting of premiums for planting rubber, as being detrimental 

 to the finances of Brazil. 



RMLW.WS. 



While the advantages of the proposed new railways are con- 

 ceded. M. Tilmant asks whether with the unhealthy climate of 

 the districts to be traversed, tlie necessary labor would be 

 available. 



\V.\SHING AND REFINING RUBBER. 



Referring to tlie proposed establishment of w-ashing plants. 

 M. Tilmant remarks that the rubber intended for washing is en- 

 tirely coagulated and partially dried, expressing doubt as to 

 whether in its new form it would stand a journey without being 

 thereby affected. Washing takes place in the East w-ithin at 

 latest twenty-four hours after collection, when the latex has 

 scarcely coagulated. Another point referred to is that the pres- 

 ence of a relatively large quantity of water allows of Para rub- 

 ber being kept for years, while plantation rubber, being dry. 

 does not keep so well. 



Crude rubber now enters most industrial nations free of duty. 

 M. Tilmant, however, calls attention to the possibility of washed 

 rubber being regarded as a partially manufactured article, and 

 therefore not entitled to such free admission. 



PROPOSED RUBBER GOODS FACTORY .\T PARA. 



M. Tilmant regards as practicable only to a limited extent the 

 idea of establishing a rubber goods factory at Para. Such a 

 factory, making a variety of articles, w-ould require other grades 

 besides Para rubber, unless it confined itself to a limited range 

 of products for domestic consumption. This business alone would 

 l)e insufficient for such a factory. 



The export business in rubber goods of Brazilian manufacture 

 is considered problematical in view of the duties imposed by con- 

 suming nations. 



THE AKERS REPORT. 



In criticizing the Akers report. M. Tilmant refers to a pros- 

 pective rubber cost of Is. Sd. (40 cents). This cost is apparently 

 reached by estimating the possible saving as I6d. (32 cents) out 

 of the present estimated cost delivered in Europe of 3s. (72 

 cents). He disputes the propriety of including export duties 

 and commissions among the reductions, hut if they figure among 

 the elements of cost, any decrease in these items should be 



