INTRODUCTION 



xv 



NOTE 



IN all considerations of the rubber industry in the 

 Orient, the value of the currency unit is a most impor- 

 tant factor ; on it depends to a great extent the cost in 

 sterling of every pound of rubber produced. The num- 

 ber of cents for the daily wage rate varies very slightly 

 in the different centres of production, no matter if the 

 unit be rupees, dollars, or guilders ; but the influence of 

 the monetary unit on the aggregate annual expenditure 

 is one of the most prominent features in the situation. 



In regard to the countries dealt with in this volume, 

 the following standard of values should be kept in mind 

 for all purposes of comparison : 



