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instigation of this Association in the method of calculating the 
export duty leviabfe on rubber. In the past the 2 \ 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 Rad to the establishment 
of that Sliding Scale, which 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 w ill 
further tend to a unification of Customs Dues in the four States 
of the Federation and to a more vigorous prevention of smuggling. 
For, 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, 
that have lately taken place, more particularly in the Klang 
District. 
Your Committee have suggested to Government to introduce a 
license, without which no person is to be permitted to deal in or 
export cultivated rubber; such licensed exporters to be obliged to 
keep separate books of account, clearly setting forth the origin of 
any rubber passing through their hands ; and we have further 
recommended that all cases, only described in a general way, such 
as “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 
to that in which the Mines Department have in the past supplied the 
public with analogous information regarding the output of tin. 
Fraedial Produce Protection. 
An Enactment extending to the rubber plant and its products 
the protection previously given to other agricultural produce, has 
at last been gazetted. The first move in this matter was made by 
this Association nearly two years ago, and, although late in arriving, 
this legislation can only be welcomed with the greatest satisfaction 
by all interested in the Rubber Industry. 
Depredations have been on the increase of late and especially as 
regards seedlings and stumps a thriving business has been carried on 
in, what in many cases obviously were, plants stolen from Estate 
Nurseries. 
