382 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[April 1, 1914. 



GEKMAM VIEW OF THE KUBBEE SITUATION. 



In their review of 1913 Messrs. Walther & Lohmann, of 

 Hamburg, remark that when the Brazilians have learnt that 

 even without the most expensive silk goods, the best um- 

 brellas and the finest gramophones, life is still bearable, they 

 will become accustomed to the lower level of prices. In most 

 countries of production the natives will gradually become ac- 

 customed to the prices obtainable and production will be 

 resumed when they see they cannot get more for their rub- 

 ber. Only those districts will definitely abandon rubber 

 gathering where new forms of commercial activity have been 

 discovered. In certain regions there is, moreover, the pos- 

 sibility of an increased production. 



The opinion is expressed that as the fall in price has re- 

 sulted from the production of the East Asiatic plantations, 

 the reaction has to be expected from that quarter. Many 

 of the costs of production as estimated are really applicable 

 to only a few plantations. With respect to estimates of future 

 production, it is remarked that caution should be exercised in 

 considering the reports of the companies started under ab- 

 normal circumstances in 1910, and which in many cases are 

 not likely to prove successful. Some estimates even show 

 a reversal of the current in 1918. 



The following estimate is presented of the world's produc- 

 tion and consumption: 



Production Consumption 



1908-09 tons 70,587 71,989 



1909-10 76,553 76,026 



1910-11 79,305 74,082 



1911-12 93,669 99,564 



1912-13 126,302 121,280 



GERMAN CRUDE RUBBER STATISTICS. 



German crude rubber imports receded from about 20,580 

 tons in 1912 to 20,490 in 1913. This slight reduction in quan- 

 tity was coupled with a fall in value from the equivalent of 

 $40,500,000 to $23,250,000, or about 40 per cent. German 

 manufacturers have largely given away these advantages in 

 price, in the form of reduced quotations for their products. 

 Makers and dealers both prefer a medium range of values to 

 specially low prices without permanence. 



GERMAN MOTOR VEHICLE EXPORTS. 



Statistics indicate the German exports of automobiles for 1913 

 as equaling $17,750,000 against $16,250,000 in 1912. Motor trucks 

 showed a better percentage of increase, with $3,250,000 for 1913 

 in contrast to $1,875,000 in 1912. Motor cycles represented in 

 1913 $625,000. about the same as in 1912. 



Exports of dirigible air craft in 1913 equaled $334,250 against 

 $229,500 for 1912. 



German manufacturers exported tubes, tires and treads to the 

 extent of $11,250,000 in 1913, while other motor vehicle accessories 

 represented $12,a)0,000 to $15,000,0a). 



REPORTED NEW EBONITE CONCERN. 



The proposed establishment of an important concern for the 

 manufacture of ebonite by a patented process is reported from 

 Worringen, near Cologne. It is said that 1,500 hands will be 

 employed. 



THE GERMAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN 1913. 



The exports of motor cars from Germany increased in value 

 from $17,500,000 in 1912 to $23,750,000 in 1913. As this increase 

 took place at a time when various countries were making ex- 

 tensive military preparations — in case of possible war — the growth 

 of this export business is attributed by some to the more ex- 

 tensive adoption of motor vehicles for army purposes. 



CONTINENTAL CAOUTCHOUC AND GUITA PERCHA. 



The Continental Caoutchouc & Gutta Percha Co., of Hanover, 

 Germany, has declared a yearly dividend of 50 per cent, on its 

 stock, including tlie $750,000 new stock issued about six months 

 ago. This company has recently commenced the erection of 

 a new administrative building at Hanover. It will have 4 stories 

 and will cover an area of about 35,000 square feet. Professor 

 Peter Behrens is the architect. 



German rei)orts state that the balloon "Duisburg," in which 

 the aviator Kaulen lately accomplished a record flight from 

 Hitterfeld to Perm (Russia), was covered with "Continental" 

 balloon material made by this concern. 



DUNLOP CO. EXTENDING IN GERMANY. 



The steadily increasing favor of the Dunlop tire in Germany 

 has necessitated the enlargement of the [ilant at Hanau-on-Main. 

 It is stated that the surface to be covered by the new buildings 

 equals al)Out 65,000 square feet, which area constitutes an im- 

 portant addition to the present factory. 



GERMAN COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. 



Statistics of German commerce for the year 1913 show that 

 exports of old rubber shoes through the port of Hamburg fell 

 off to the extent of about $50,000. Imports of American cotton 

 showed a decrease of about 50,000 tons, and American rubber 

 shoe imports dropped from 192.6 tons in 1912 to 5.2 tons in 

 1913. .American rubber shoes entering Germany pay the gen- 

 eral duty of 100 marks ($23.80) per 220 pounds, while com- 

 peting lines are charged the conventional rate of 80 marks 

 ($19.04) per 220 lbs. 



Exports from this consular district to the United States in- 

 cluded for 1912 and 1913 manufactures of india rubber and 

 gutta percha to the value of $297,379, and $296,445. respectively; 

 crude rubber w.irth $7.038,'-30 and $3,920,395; crude gutta 

 percha valued at $148,676 and $121,703. and waste rubber amount- 

 ing to $82,857 and $25,784. 



VALUE OF RUBBER GOODS IMPORTED INTO GERMANY. 



German statistics show tlie value of the importatiDiis nf ruliber 

 manufactured .goods into that country for the last three years 

 as follows: 1911, $6,625,750; 1912, $6,849,250; 1913, $6,600,750. 

 While imports thus show a falling off. exports increased from 

 $30.127.7.50 in 1912 to $32,070,000 in 1913. 



Rubber heels arc said to be very popular in Switzerland, with 

 German manufacturers particularly successful in competing for 

 this trade, the demand being principally for a style and quality 

 which retails at 16 cents per pair. The Swiss import duty on 

 rubber heels is at the rate of 40 francs per quintal, or 3}^ cents 

 per pound gross weight. 



.\ new l)uilding is being erected in Berlin in which to hold the 

 lntcrn:'tional .Automobile Show, scheduled to open early in Oc- 

 tober of this year. I'"xhil)its will be limited to passenger and 

 pleasure cars, with their parts, accessories, etc., and will include 

 no commercial vehicles. .Applications for space must be ad- 

 dressed to the Verein Deutscher Motorfahrzeug-Industrieller, 

 E. v., Unter den Linden 12. Berlin, W. 8. 



NEW ZEALAND IMPORTS OF RUBBER GOODS. 



Official statistics show the following New Zealand imports 

 for the years 1911 and 1912: 



1911 1912 



Belting other than leather $170,000 $155,000 



Engine packing 80.000 100.000 



Other rubber goods .50.000 80,000 



$300,000 $335,000 



The proportions in 1912 were from: England, 60 per cent.; 



.Australia, 20 per cent.; United States, 3 per cent.; other 

 countries, 17 per cent. 



