393 



softens with age. Perhaps some of these defects might be removed 

 by the introduction in the East of the methods of coagulation em- 

 ployed in the Amazon rubber camps, but we are disposed to believe 

 that the Eastern planters have really produced a new grade of 

 rubber, and that the Para article can never be wholly duplicated by 

 them. It is to be understood of course that the rubber is valuable, 

 and will find a ready market at a price which is likely to yield a 

 profit, but such samples as have reached us, valued from the manu- 

 facturer's stand points, would rank at least 25 per cent, below fine 

 Para. 



The good prices realised in London, doubtless, have been due to 

 the cleanly appearance of the new rubber. And they have been 

 based on the judgment of brokers, rather than results of practical 

 tests in the factory. It would seem that the better course for the 

 planters' associations would be, not to try to find how much money 

 can be obtained in the open markets for their sample lots — which 

 then become lost to sight — but to send them direct to a well equip- 

 ped factory, to be made up in various forms of goods. The manu- 

 facturer's test is the one by which the value of this rubber will be 

 judged finally, regardless of what may be the judgment of brokers 

 to-day. We do not mean to dampen the enthusiasm of the planters, 

 but there is such a thing as basing their plans upon estimates of 

 profits that are impossible. 



UNITED PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION, F. M. S. 



REPORT FOR igoi. 



GENTLEMEN, — Your Committee have the pleasure to submit to 

 vou the Fifth Annual Report of the United Planters' Association, 

 F. M. S. 



There have been three General Meetings, six Committee Meet- 

 ings and one special Committee Meeting, all of them fairly well 

 attended. Of the General Meetings, two were held in Selangor 

 and one in Negri Sembilan. We regret to have to report that no 

 support has been received from either Perak or Pahang this year, 

 but hope to see an improvement in this respect during 1902. It 

 has been suggested that, in Perak especially, where the distances 

 are so great that it appears impossible to get regular meetings to- 

 gether, and to keep an association going, planters and other un- 

 official labour employers should obtain representation by appointing 

 one of their members to treat with the Resident on all local matters. 

 Such an arrangement, your committee feel sure, would be of great 

 benefit to the residents in those States, and inasmuch as the Re- 

 sident-General has already signified his approval, official co-opera- 

 tion may be regarded as assured. 



Your Committee would suggest that by availing themselves of 

 the existence of the U. P. A. F. M. S , as a medium of appeal, 

 Perak and Pahang might further strengthen their own hands as 

 well as greatly add to the sphere of usefulness of the parent body. 



