256 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



Cents. 



1. Tapping and collecting (includes deprecia- 



tion on cups and implements) 29 



2. Curing (includes depreciation on factory and 



machinery) 5 



3. Transport i 



4. Commissions and shipping charges i 



5. Weeding 3 



6. Cultivation 2 



7. Management 7 



8. Depreciation (on buildings other than factory) 3 



9. Hospital (share of central hospital with other 



estates) 2 



10. Maintenance of roads and drains 2 



11. Rent i 



12. Contingencies 2 



Total 58 



This is equal to uj pence sterling. As the trees 

 become older, and the yield in the former coffee planta- 

 tions less uneven, the cost should show a substantial 

 decrease ; the average minimum cost in 1915 should 

 not exceed 50 cents, or 10 pence, per pound of rubber 

 f.o.b. at port of shipment. 



An analysis of the foregoing cost of production shows 

 that 70 per cent, is for labour charges. Therefore any 

 increase or decrease in expenditure principally depends 

 on the wage rate of coolies and an efficient supervision 

 to insure economy of labour wherever possible. Man- 

 agement and labour combined sum up 47 cents out of 

 a total cost of 58 cents for each pound of rubber pro- 

 duced. The lower cost in Sumatra as compared to 

 Malaya is due to the smaller intrinsic value of the 

 monetary unit. 



The charges from port of shipment, Sumatra, to 



