99 



being so much nearer the coolie's home than we were. If we reduced 

 to 30 cents that advantage would be lost. 



Mr. C. V. STEPHENS then proposed that the following be 

 embodied in a circular and sent round to planters for consideration : — 

 " That, subject to Government falling into line generally, the rate of 

 wages of Tamilmen be fixed at 35 cents per day of eight working 

 hours where normal conditions prevail, and at a maximum of 40 

 cents for exceptional and approved estates, and that of women at 

 25 cents and 30 cents respectively." Mr. B. C. KNIGHT seconded 

 and the motion was carried. 



Further discussion of the subject was postponed to the next 

 meeting, which, as previously announced, will be held in Taiping. 



The usual vote of thanks to the Chair terminated proceedings. 



"Times of Malaya,'' iqtk February, 1908. 



ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE INDIA-RUBBER 

 MARKET, 1907. 



By S. Figgis and Co. 



As regards plantation rubber grown in Ceylon and British 

 Malaya (Federated States, Perak, Malacca, Johore, Straits), 

 Sumatra, Java, etc., the supply has increased more rapidly and 

 planting has gone on to a greater extent than was anticipated. We 

 estimate from Ceylon 230 tons against 160 tons in 1906 and 

 70 tons in 1905 ; and from Malaya 780 tons against 350 tons in 1906 

 and 75 tons in 1905. The rubber as a whole has been well 

 prepared, but the imports of late show a larger proportion of 

 common than previously. The average price per pound shows a 

 great reduction, owing to the very serious decline since October, 

 caused by the great crisis in America. Manufacturers have shown 

 a decided preference for sheet, biscuit and crepe. The latter 

 should not be drawn out too thin or have visible air or steam 

 bubbles in it, and some lots of thick crepe, nice strong rubber about 

 eth inch thick, were much appreciated and sold well. We think it 

 has been profitable to planters to wash and clean the rubber 

 thoroughly, and to prepare as large a proportion as possible of 

 good colour — also not to send many qualities or very small lots. 

 Block has not been in favour generally, and unless clean resilient 

 hard quality can be sent, it may be better to ship as crepe. 



We repeat our recommendations of a year ago : Pack it in good 

 dry condition (excess of resin much objected to). Into strong 

 cases of 1 cwt. to 2 cwt. each. No paper, fuller's-earth, etc., to be 

 used. Keeping different qualities and colours separate, and not to 

 mix immature rubber with older; to send separately dirty barky 

 pieces, and to wash out all the bark in crepe, block and sheet. All 

 nne qualities should be loose crepe, sheet or biscuit — not run to a 

 mass. To smoke the rubber when convenient, because" smoking" 

 appears to increase its resiliency, but keep it as clear and yellow- 

 as possible. 



