December 1, 1920 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



213 



and many bicycles; also carriages in towns usually have rubber 

 tires. 



HEXICO 



Two small rubber factories arc in operation in the City of 

 Mexico, both of which manufacture automobile tires and rain- 

 coats. The making of other articles than tires has not been de- 

 veloped beyond an experimental stage. It is estimated that to 

 meet the demand of the entire Republic of Mexico there should 

 be an out|)ut of fiOO to 1,000 tires per day. Practically the entire 

 consumption of manufactured rubber goods in Mexico is imported 

 from the L'nited States, though previous to the war some sundries 

 were received from Germany and a very few Italian and French 

 automobile tires. Some drug sundries were imported from Japan, 

 but only in small quantities. 



Local competition has considerably reduced the importation of 

 tires from the L'nited States, there being an import duty of 1 

 peso_ ($0,498 in L'nited States currency) per kilo (2.2 pounds). 

 The Mexican market is overcrowded with American tires, while 

 the outlet is a restricted one. Practically all sizes are in use. 

 Two American concerns maintain offices in Mexico City, and a 

 few manufacturers cover portions of the field with traveling sales- 

 men, while a few others have agencies with local dealers. 



There is a strong demand for sport shoes. However, American 

 firms are reluctant about extending terms of draft against de- 

 livery. On the other hand, the Mexican importer dislikes to be 

 forced to advance cash with order when long delays under present 

 transportation and manufacturing conditions are considered. The 

 market possibilities will continue so as long as conditions remain 

 unsettled. 



The business of the mining and oil fields is almost entirely con- 

 trolled by a few well-known brands of belting, packing, and hose. 



In rubber clothing cheap grades are used in parts of the coun- 

 try where raincoats are needed. 



In most cases small dealers lack financial ability to import di- 

 rect and find it to advantage to purchase from Mexico City stocks. 

 In the sole and heel trade most manufacturers have yearly con- 

 tracts for direct importation, and it is impossible to ship direct 

 to small dealers. American toys are too expensive for this mar- 

 ket, the control being in the hands of the Japanese, who supply 

 a cheap grade. Rubber matting is not in general use. 



VENEZUELA 



In 1918, the only year for which definite statistics are available. 



rubber tires were imported to the extent of 1,511 pounds, valued 

 at $2,038. The best gage for the required imports is the fact that 

 there are about 2,000 automobiles in this district, and the number 

 of tires needed can be reckoned accordingly. The cars are prac- 

 tically all standard American makes, and quick detachable tires 

 are preferable. These are imported from dealers in Caracas, the 

 tires imported from countries other than the United States are so 

 few as to be negligible. There are practically no imports of rub- 

 ber boots and shoes, nor of rubber for industrial purposes. Other 

 imports are confined to goods used by the drug trade, to insulated 

 wire, and rubber heels and .soles. 



The present demand for tires in the Maracaibo district is small, 

 but with the expected increase in the number of automobiles, the 

 demand for rubber tires will be greater. Sizes generally in use are 

 30 by 3-inch, 30 by 3^4-inch, 32 by Syi-inch, and 33 by 4-inch. 

 The Venezuelan customs duty on tires is at the rate of 0.75 bolivar 

 per kilo of gross weight. 



There is very little demand for rubber boots and shoes. The 

 customs duty on this class of goods is 2;/2 bolivares per kilo of 

 gross weight. 



The market for rubber belting is fairly good, particularly in 

 small sizes of 4 or 5 inches. There is also a light demand for 

 larger sizes by petroleum companies for drilling operations. Rub- 

 ber hose finds its chief demand among concerns requiring steam 

 hose, but this use is quite limited. There is a fair demand for 

 industrial rubber goods, and practically all imports are supplied 

 by the United States. 



MEXICAN-MADE TIRES NOT COMPETITIVE 



The only competition offered recently to American automobile 

 exports has been through the manufacture of tires by two fac- 

 tories in Mexico City. This local product is placed on the 

 market at prices 25 per cent lower than the prices of the tires 

 imported from the United States. On account of a shortage of 

 raw materials (chiefly of American origin) the output of the 

 Mexican tire factories is small and at times negligible. These 

 plants have been unable as yet to perfect their processes of manu- 

 facture, and their product is not so uniform as that of the Ameri- 

 can standard tire manufacturer. The Mexican-made tire has not, 

 therefore, been a serious factor in competition. Tires for trucks 

 are dutiable at $11.29 per 100 pounds, and tires for passenger 

 cars at $22.59 per 100 pounds. 



The Rubber Trade in the Far East 



By a Special Correspondent 



MAUVYA 



THE heavy fall in prices of local products, including rubber, 

 is said to be the cause of the present money stringency. 

 Conditions are not so serious in Singapore and old-estab- 

 lished British firms seem to have little trouble, although others 

 have had to allow extensions of credit. 



With regard to the rumor of serious trouble in Penang. in- 

 vestigation showed that, to the contrary, Penang is quite pros- 

 perous. 



Recent reports from Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis, also indicate 

 favorable conditions. Within the last ten years these states have 

 developed wonderfully. In Kelantan there are now 152,739 acres 

 under rubber, which in 1919 yielded 2,077 tons, against 1,745 

 tons in 1918. In the state of Kedah 112,192 acres are under 

 rubber, and the exports amounted to 5,021 tons in 1919. 



The Chief Secretary's report on the Federated Malay States 

 shows that during 1919 the market for rubber was much more 

 favorable than in 1918, although the demand at the end of the 

 year had not equalled expectations, and price fluctuations were 



less noticeable than in previous years. Shortage of staff handi- 

 capped research work, but despite this, much information has 

 been collected. 



Mouldy rot is regarded as the most serious disease affecting 

 the rubber tree in Malaya. While positive results have not yet 

 been obtained, it has been shown that brown bast can be con- 

 trolled by a change of the tapping system. 



A correspondent of the Malayan Tin and Rubber Journal calls 

 attention to a certain rule of the Singapore Chamber of Com- 

 merce Rubber Association which is unfair to the buyer of rubber. 

 This rule governs the question of delivery and contains the fol- 

 lowing: 



Any objection as to quality, description or packing, etc., shall 

 be lodged in writing with the sellers on the day following delivery. 

 If any lots are found to be inferior to sample or to quality called 

 for on contract, buyers shall accept this inferior rubber with 

 allowance, to be fixed either mutually or by arbitration. In case 

 the inferiority of a lot calls for an allowance of over three 

 cents per pound, buyers shall have the option of rejecting the 

 inferior rubber and sellers will have to replace within six days 

 from the date of award. 



