Gums, Resins, 



368 



[Nov. 1906. 



experimenting with an article, the nature of which is as yet imperfectly understood 

 at a time when, owing to market conditions, he is only just able to get a margin 

 of profit when using a lower priced rubber which he has proved by experience to 

 give very satisfactory results. 



I myself know many instances when manufacturers have taken the other 

 course and decided that the present is not the time to start experimenting with 

 the new grade owing to its high cost ; but they have quite made up their mind 

 to give it a thorough test when the market favours it- In the meantime those 

 more progressive people who have tried it with good results and are now regular 

 consumers, have all the time been improving their treatment of it, and there are 

 already people who say that not only can Eastern plantation rubber take the 

 place of South American Para, but they themselves are using it in their own 

 factories, for the severest tests to which rubber is subjected. 



It is a difficult matter to obtain an inside knowledge of the nature of the 

 rubber manufacturers' business. A great number of them, whose successful career 

 has in some measure been due to the efficiency of their private processes and 

 methods of preparation, are naturally somewhat jealous of these and disinclined to 

 expose them to the critical eye of anyone engaged in the same industry. I very 

 soon realised, however, that much useful information was to be found by getting an 

 insight into this part of the industry ; and after some difficulty I succeeded in 

 getting taken over some of the largest mills and factories in England. One of the 

 first things that struck me after this inspection was the very large amount of 

 capital and labour that might be saved in the first stages of manufacture by the 

 use of the hue pure grades of cultivated rubber, but the full benefit of this could 

 not, of course, be felt until large supplies were always available. One of the most 

 important changes that have recently been taking place in the industry is the 

 increase in 



THE USB OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN THE FACTORY. 



From one cause and another it is now generally accepted by manufacturers 

 that a laboratory in their factory with a well-qualified chemist is quite essential. 

 Only a few years ago very few of even the large makers had these ; but now you 

 will find that in many cases the laboratory forms a very important part of the factory, 

 and there are many who think that bef ore long analysis may play an important 

 part in the buying and selling of crude rubber. To get an idea of the effect of the 

 rapid rise in prices on the manufacturers of rubber, it is interesting to find that on 

 account of the excessive adulteration that had sometimes to be resorted to, in order 

 to complete contracts extending over long periods without heavy loss, departments 

 which send out tenders for large orders have, on account of the unsatisfactory 

 nature of goods supplied, been compelled to make their conditions far more 

 stringent ; and just before leaving London I heard of an important tender having 

 been put out, in the conditions of which the resin contents were not to exceed four 

 per cent, the idea being to necessitate the use of a large proportion of fine Para. 

 In this connection it is interesting to note that the finest Eastern plantation Para 

 would roughly be on about the same footing as fine South American Para ou account 

 of its small resin contents. In conclusion, gentlemen, I can only say that we in 

 London mean to continue to do all in our power to promote and extend the uses of 

 your product, and I think lam quoting the general opinion when I say that you 

 are to be most heartily congratulated on the splendid progress that has always been 

 made in the growth, preparation and quality of cultivated rubber in the East, and 

 I am sure that with all the extremely capable and energetic people you have out 

 here, devoting their time and experience to the welfare of the industry, there 

 should be very little doubt that the future is assured for you. (Applause.) 



