2I 3 



instigation of this Association in the method of calculating the 

 export duty leviable on rubber. In the past the i\ per cent, ad 

 valorem duty was calculated in Selangor on one fictitious value, 

 fixed arbitrarily and gazetted from time to time. This value applied 

 to all grades of rubber indiscriminately and was fixed at $300 per 

 pikul for the greater part of the year. 



The new Rules however, provide that in future duty is payable 

 on the actual value of rubber, which is fixed fortnightly in 

 accordance with the average prices realized during the preceding 

 two weeks in Singapore. This is distinctly a step in the right 

 direction, and, we trust, will ultimately lead to the establishment 

 of that Sliding Scale, w hich we again and again have advocated 

 and which alone will provide a means of raising revenue, which is 

 easy of application, fair in its incidence and rational in its con- 

 ception. 



As from the 1st of January 1907, a new Federal Department was 

 created, viz. that of Trade and Customs, which it is hoped will 

 further tend to a unification of Customs Dues in the four States 

 of the Federation and to a more vigorous prevention of smuggling. 

 * or, the impunity with which it has been possible for unscrupulous 

 receivers to send stolen rubber out of the country, has no doubt in 

 a great measure contributed to the extensive thefts of cured rubber, 

 Kstri t latel> ' taken PkCe ' m ° re particularly in the Klan £ 



Your Committee have suggested to Government to introduce a 

 "cense, without which no person is to be permitted to deal in or 

 export cultivated rubber; such licensed exporters to be obliged to 

 *eep separate books of account, clearly setting forth the origin of 

 an y rubber passing through their hands; and we have further 

 recommended that all cases, only described in a general way, such 

 a s "Sundries", be opened for inspection before being allowed to 

 Pass the Customs Department. 



A useful departure which, we understand, is contemplated by the 

 federal Department for Trade and Customs, is the monthly 

 Publication of the quantities of rubber exported, in a similar manner 

 othat in which the Mines Department have in the past supplied the 

 Public with analogous information regarding the output of tin. 

 Praedial Produce Protection. 



An Enactment extending to the rubber plant and. its products 

 aH prc * ection previously given to other agricultural produce, has 

 thi a gazetted. The first move in this matter was made by 

 th ! 1 ?^ ,ation "early two years ago, and, although late in arriving, 

 l Ration can only be welcomed with the greatest satisfaction 

 y all interested in the Rubber Industry. 



re ^ e P red ations have been on the increase of late and especially as 

 in^h se . ecmn gs and stumps a thriving business has been carried on 

 NurT ' n manv cases obviously were, plants stolen from Estate 



