SCORCHED EARTH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20660, 10 January 1942, Page 4

SCORCHED EARTH

UNNECESSARY POLICY PRODUCTS OF MALAYA JAPAN UNABLE TO BENEFIT “The scorched earth policy is fantastic, unless those ordering it are certain that Japan can make immediate use of Malaya’s products,” says a resident of New Plymouth who spent over 20 years in the Far East. “I do not believe they can, unless they have the Pacific all to themselves, and that is a forlorn hope.” The Malayan tin-mining industry, it was explained, with its rubber production, is the chief industry of the peninsula, which is responsible for the production of 60 per cent, of the world’s px-oduction of tin. In rubber, produced mainly on the western coast, Malaya is responsible for about half of the world’s output. Until the war period the Federated States were partners in the agreement restricting the production of both commodities. Dredges, similar to those used in the goldmining centres of the West Coast and Otago in New Zealand, but in most cases immensely larger, were used entirely for the dredging of tin, which was found in great quantities i* Malaya. Except for one dredge which is used in salt water in bays in Thailand and for dredges in Bali, south of Java, all of the tin dredges in the East operate inland. Smelting Problem Their intricate mechanism is controlled entirely by British and Australian engineers, with a few Americans. Thousands of natives are emed in the industry, but it is doubtful if the Japanese would be able to replace the British and Australians in the control and management of the dredges.

No matter how much tin the Japanese may secure, allowing that they are able to operate the dredges which have not been destroyed as their advance continues, it was pointed out, the production will be useless unless they are able to smelt the ore. In the Malay States there are only two smelting works, at Penang and at Singapore. The works at Penang are reported to have been destroyed by the British before the island on which the city is situated was evacuated by our forces, so the works at Singapore are now the only ones left in the Far Eest. , , . , 1 '

To make use of the tin ore and to convert it into ingots, each of about lcwt., which is a necessary process for its utilisation commercially, the Japanese must therefore transport the rough product either to Japan, if there are smelting works there, or to Germany or German-occupied territory possessing smelting works. In view of the naval dispositions in the Far East, Japan’s chances of doing either are considered remote. Axis Miscalculation

For this reason, said the authority, the scorched earth policy, bringing with it untold damage to the 50 years’ work of British and Australian interests, would appear •to be destructive beyond all'necessity. He does not consider that the Japanese have sufficiently developed smelting works which could handle even a small percentage of Malaya’s tin output." ' “Japan cannot make much use of any tin or rubber she may secure in Malaya,” he said. “Hitler has obviously forced his other Axis partner to take action in an endeavour to secure the rich products of Malaya, but he has counted on Japanese naval strength .to bring him the fruits of his enforced occupations. In that he will' find he has failed, and the Japanese will find that they have bitten off more than they can chew.”