Gums, Resins, 



6 



[Jan. 1908. 



it is found that there are large areas quite as well, or even better, suited for rubber 

 cultivation than the land already taken up. During 1906, for instance, a large 

 area was planted in Perak than in any of the other States, an entirely new district 

 having been opened in Lower Perak, where rubber is now growing as well as in 

 more popular districts. Selangor has now nearly 45,000 acres under rubber cultiva- 

 tion, Perak about 30,000, Negri Sembilan 11,000, and Pahang close upon 485. Work- 

 ing on the various estates are 39,000 coolies, of whom nearly 30,000 are Tamils, 4,000 

 Javanese, 1,500 Malays, and 3,400 Chinese. When, however, the 13,000,000 trees 

 already planted in Peninsula are all in bearing (say five years hence) about 50,000 

 coolies will be needed for tapping operations, apart from opening, planting, weed- 

 ing and other work. Thus it will be seen that the labour question is of paramount 

 importance, and now that Government recognises the importance of studying the 

 coolies' health and comfort, the outlook is by no means unpromising. 



PRICES REALISED. 



Turning, in conclusion, to the prices realised during the past year's working 

 of the various rubber companies of Malaya, it is found that a considerable decrease 

 on the previous twelve months' results has to be recorded. The price of best culti- 

 vated Para, which in January stood at 6s. lfd., after a gradual rise of Hd. up to 

 the end of March, began to recede in an evenly descending scale, until in December 

 it stood at 5s. 5£d., recovering a little before the end of the year and at the time 

 of Avriting is approaching 5s. lOd. The price of Brazilian Para took practically the 

 same course, beginning at 5s. 5d. and reaching to 5s. Id., being as a rule about 10 per 

 cent, to 12 per cent, below the cultivated rubber. The factors which affect the price 

 of rubber, and which must be considered in trying to foresee the future market 

 price of this product, are many and various. How much the demand for rubber 

 will increase is not easy to foretell, but rubber at the present high prices continues 

 to find fresh markets and new uses. — Indian Trade Journal, Vol. VII. , No. 87, 



Calcutta, 28th November, 1907. 



LONDON RUBBER MARKET. 



London, November 22nd, 1907.— The market continues in a very uncertain 

 condition, Pine Plantation, in sympathy with other kinds, being about 7d. per lb. 

 lower where sales were effected, compared with last sale quotations. The highest 

 price of the sale, viz., 3s. 10d., was realised for two small lots of biscuits from Hattan- 

 galla and Warriapolla. 3s. 9d. was the highest price obtained in the room for Crepe, 

 the finest parcels of this and Block being held for about 4s. Id. per lb. It is worthy of 

 note that no such prices as these have been seen for Plantation Rubber since 1902, 

 while the price of Hard Fine Para is lower than it has been since February, 1903. 

 Scrap, unlike the finer grades, did not show such a depressed market, although here 

 also sales were only effected with difficulty at comparatively low prices, and the 

 darker grades of Crepe and Block were mostly withdrawn for want of support. 

 Average price of Ceylon and Malaya Plantation rubber.— To-day 90 pkgs. at 3s. lfd., 

 corresponding sale last year 301 pkgs. 5s. 2|d. Hard Fine Para to-day 3s. 4£d„ corre- 

 sponding sale last year 5s. 2d. Particulars and prices as follows : — 



Mark. Pkgs. 

 B.N.S. (in dia- 

 mond) 1 

 K.P.G. 6 



Description. 



Elston 



Ellakande 



Culloden 



1 



2 

 23 



R'gh sheet etc. 

 Dark pressed 



crepe 6 



Rejections 1 10 

 Brown crepe 3 

 Brownish to dark 



crepe 2s 9d to 3 0£ 



CEYLON. 



Price. 



s. d. 

 1 6 



Mark. 



Pkgs. Description. 



Prioe. 

 S. d. 



Heatherley 



Hattangalla 

 Warriapolla 



Good darkish to 

 black crepe pt. 

 sold,2sll£dto2 llf 

 Fine biscuits 3 10 

 do do 3s9£d 

 to 3 10 



