February 1, 1919.' 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



271 



All indications point to the conclusion that, although Antwerp 

 will again take its place among the important rubber markets oi 

 the world, it will not soon attain the position it formerly held as 

 a crude rubber mart. 



REGULATIONS GOVERNING SINGAPORE STAND- 

 ARD RUBBER QUALITIES. 



T"" HE Singapore Chamber of Commerce Rubber Association 

 •^ publishes in the "Straits Budget" of December 6, 1918, the 

 regulations now governing Singapore standard rubber qualities. 



The committee will consist of six members to meet twice 

 weekly to examine all guaranteed samples submitted to them 

 and establishing whether they are found to be: Singapore stand- 

 ard first latex crepe or Singapore standard f.a.q. ribbed smoke 

 sheets. 



At any meeting a quorum shall consist of not less than three 

 members. 



The place of meeting is the board room of the Singapore 

 Chamber of Commerce Rubber Association, at 11 a. m., on Tues- 

 days and Fridays. Sellers wishing to place samples before the 

 committee for award, must have their samples at the board room. 

 Chartered Bank Chambers (top floor), between the hours of 

 8.30 a. m. and 9.30 a. m. on these days. All samples submitted 

 to be sealed and carefully checked by the sellers. 



The committee shall have power to approve a sample not- 

 withstanding an earlier refusal to issue an award, and shall also 

 have power to cancel any award issued, should it be found neces- 

 sary. In the event of an award being cancelled after the rubber 

 has been tendered to the buyer, the seller may be called upon 

 by the committee to replace the bulk with approvd quality within 

 three clear working days of notice of cancellation. 



For such lots as are presented to the Standard Qualities Com- 

 mittee for award, a fee of $5 per sample representing 10 tons 

 or any part thereof shall be paid to the Singapore Chamber of 

 Commerce Rubber Association, such fees to be paid at the time 

 samples are submitted. 



Only members of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Rub- 

 ber Association may submit lots for award, and written "Ap- 

 plication for Award" forms in duplicate must accompany 

 samples, stating details. 



The individual members of the standard qualities committee 

 shall receive such remuneration as shall be decided upon by the 

 committee of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Rubber As- 

 sociation. 



On samples which have passed the Standard Qualities Com- 

 mittee, the secretaries will issue an award form (numbered con- 

 secutively), stating full particulars as to marks, etc. This award 

 to be signed by the secretaries and handed to sellers. On such 

 samples which are submitted for award, details of the bulk must 

 be submitted on the label attached. After approval, the seal of 

 the committee shall be affixed, with award number, by the secre- 

 taries. 



In the event of any parcel or parcels of standard quality being 

 sold for delivery during a specified month, samples representing 

 the said parcel or parcels shall be submitted to the Standard 

 Qualities Committee not later than four clear working days be- 

 fore the end of the month of delivery. 



It shall be the desire of the Standard Qualities Committee to 

 establish a standard of quality which may represent the bulk of 

 the crop of No. 1 qualities, but the committee shall have power 

 to vary their decision in accordance with ruling conditions. 

 Lots of a mixed character (from various estates) bulked into 

 one parcel shall not constitute standard quality. 



First latex crepe shall be well prepared dry rubber of good 

 quality, of even color, and free from all stains, spots, or traces 

 of oxidization. 



F.a.q. ribbed smoked sheet shall be clean, tough rubber, free 



from mold, dampness under or over-smoked sheets. Slight 

 traces of air-bubbles may be allowed, but at the discretion of the 

 Standard Qualities Committee. 



All rubber sold as standard quality must be certified by the 

 Standard Qualities Committees before tender, and sellers must 

 be in a position to deliver the rubber at the time the tender is 

 made. Tender forms must show the number and date of award, 

 which award shall remain in force for a period of one month 

 from the date of issue, and tenders must also show the "reference 

 number and name of original seller or original selling broker. 



In no case will a seller be permitted to make first tender 

 against a contract sold for delivery during a specified month any 

 later than three working days before the end of the month of 

 delivery. 



No addition can be made to a tender, and if any party finds 

 it necessary to split a quantity tendered, new tender forms must 

 be made out, which forms must bear original particulars and 

 state the name of the party who split the tender. 



All tenders to be made on official forms, which are obtainable 

 from the association. Each party to endorse the time of receipt 

 on the form, and if the tender is intended for circulation, same 

 must be passed on as promptly as possible and not later than 

 one business hour after receipt. Business hours shall not in- 

 clude the period between 1 p. m. and 2 p. m. or after 4.30 p. m. 

 on week days, and 12.30 p. m. on Saturdays. 



Last buyer shall make application to the first seller for de- 

 livery within 24 hours of receipt of tender. The rubber to be 

 delivered to the last buyer within 48 hours from the time of the 

 receipt of this application. 



Before delivery, the buyer shall deposit with the first seller 

 90 per cent of the estimated value of the rubber or approved 

 banker's guarantee. When final weights are known, invoices and 

 account sales must be promptly rendered and settled, upon which 

 settlement first seller shall refund to last buyer any deposit 

 which may have been made. 



Samples of awarded lots tendered on contracts must be avail- 

 able for inspection in the secretary's sample room, at Exchange 

 Buildings, at the time tender is made, and shall not be re- 

 moved by other than last buyer who must collect same and 

 weigh in with bulk at time of weighing. 



All official tender forms shall be accompanied by seller's 

 memorandum of tender which must state : date of contract, 

 quantity sold, description, delivery, price, tender number and 

 weight tendered, first seller's reference number. 



The area of rubber tapping in the Federated Malay States, 

 in 1917, was 518,109 acres, 408,574 acres of which were in 

 estates of 100 acres and over and 109,535 acres in estates of 

 less than 100 acres, according to the "Agricultural Bulletin 

 of the Federated Malay States." As the output for the 

 Federated Malay States for 1917 was 79,831 tons, this repre- 

 sents an average annual yield of 345 pounds to the acre. If 

 the yield is reduced to 200 pounds per acre, the total output 

 would be 46,000 tons. 



Johore exported 19,061 tons of rubber in 1917. The area 

 in tapping was 117,0(X) acres, which means 361 pounds to the 

 acre. In Kedah, 45,000 acres were tapped, 258 pounds to 

 the acre. The output of Kelantan, for between 13,500 and 

 15,000 acres, was 1,490 tons; the yield for 1917 was, therefore, 

 either 247 or 222 pounds per acre. The area under tapping 

 in Malacca was estimated by the Resident to be 180,000 acres, 

 with 120,000 acres in tapping, a yield of 300 pounds to the 

 acre. In Penang, the area in tapping was 32,289 acres, or 

 273 pounds to the acre. In British North Borneo, the area 

 under rubber was 34,828 acres, of which 21,400 acres were 

 in full tapping; the output was 2,444 tons, 256 pounds per acre. 



