RUBBER PRICES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1926, Page 3

RUBBER PRICES

HOW AN AMERICAN PAPER YIEAVS THEM.

According to recent press cables, America is much exercised over the increasing price of crude rubber. which it is claimed has been brought about hy restrictions placed on the production of plantation rubber, under the British Stevenson scheme. It should he understood that Great, Britain controls GO per rent of the capital invested ill rubber plantations and the U.S.A. only 4 per cent. The present situation is cleverly “ hit oil ” in the following extract from, the New A'ork “ Evening World.” The extract is in the form ol an exchange between old friends, and is as follows:—-

To John Bull, London, England. Dear Old Pal,—Things arc rather jumpy over hero and 1 thought I would write you a line and sec what you could do. Rubber prices arc especially jumpy, with the accent on the jump. Every morning 1 call up my garage to find out what tyros cost to-day. I: is

terrible. Folks are walking on their uppers—they can’t a (ford rubber heels. When I park my car along the curbing I don’t cafe who steals mv motor or crankshaft if they only leave the tyres alone.

I have been making inquiries about the high cost of rubber and they intinmte that it has something to do with you. This nnturnllv surprised me. I didn’t think you raised anything hut novelists and lecturers. But no, they say you control four-fifths of the world’s supply of rubber. But 1 want to 101 l you John, your control is perfect.

There is certainly sonic bounce to volir rubber prices. Now. of course, I appreciate how von led about it. Aou owe me a lot of money from the late war and vour arc squaring up with this rubber embargo. But, John, be reasonable please. AYe have practically paid for the war hy buying your crude liquor without soaking us with this crude rubber thing.

1 am sure you don’t- realise what von’re doing to me, or do you? T admit all my folks are prosperous. Everybody here owns his own motor car, hut inly the rich can now afford to buy tires. It is pitiable to see my people in the highways Irving io patch inner tubes to stand just one more blow-out. 1 f you could see these sights along the ■•nails on Sunday afternoon I am sure vou would choke up. At least, 1 hope •oil'd choke.

Millions of my people ride around in '■’onis and it’s a mighty tough liardJiip on them. For 1 assure you. John, ‘■.lint tyres make some dillcren.ce when filing in a fiiv, though heaven knows It’s not much. But your rubber quotations are causing intense suflering to nany other folks. Babies are crying 'or rubber nipples, flappers are losing their marcel waves for lack ol bathing ops, and cross-word ]iuz,*'.!(* fans are frantically clutching nL erasers as a Downing man grasps at a hale of hay. What’s the matter with you, anyhow? Didn’t we give the Prince of VFairs a good time? Haven’t we made vour distilleries prosperous? Well hen. what’s ailing you? It you don’t ’ay off this rubber hold-up P.D.Q. wo nay do a little retaliating ourselves. We can more than get even with you ,ny time we wish by repealing Prohibition. Think this over, John, and I’d appreciate a prompt reply. Your Liend—-Unde Sam.

To Uncle Sam, Washington, U.S.A. Dear Sain.— Replying to your lovely 'otter would say that it has certainly been tonhole weather we vo been hav:ng lately. My folks are having great <port up in Scotland shooting grouse and we admire your President Coolidge ,'erv nvicli. .Michael Arlen is at work in a new novel, they say, and a couple norc spicy divorce eases are on our locket for the autumn. The cinema ■•eels you send over are perfectly rotten, hut we go to see them because are love you. Vour jazz hands arc also ripping, old fruit. Well. Sam. toodle>o. It was simply corking of you to write, and if there is anything T can | 0 for you he sure to let me know. Affectionately, —John Bull.