THE RUBBER INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1927, Page 2

THE RUBBER INDUSTRY.

THREAT TO BR ITALY. Those win) are interested in the British rubber plantation companies are closely following; developments in the rubber industry of the Dutch East Indies (says the "Economist”'). There is some possibility that these developments may all'ect the British (companies. Up to the present the native rubber of tlio Dutch East Indies has been chietly bought by Chinese merchants atnl sent to Singapore for marketing preparation. But a veai ago a large company was formed in Holland tor the purpose of buying; native rubber in the Dutch East Indies and preparing there in factories for the market.

According to the Dutch Press, the Dutch East Indies Government has nog given permission for the working of seven rubber factories. This great activity in the Dutch East Indies clearly provides the principal threat to the British restriction scheme. (Including native rubber, production rose from 739.000 tons in 7923 to about 209.000 tons in 1926. an increase of 50 per cent. Moreover, it is miteworthv that large areas are still available in the Dutch East Indies for the extension of rubber planting, whereas in British Alalava the possibilities of increase in the ruliber planted area are very much less.