INCREASING PRICE OF CRUDE RUBBER.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 126, 1 April 1926, Page 7

INCREASING PRICE OF CRUDE RUBBER.

HUMOUR OF UNCLE SAM AND JOHN BULL. According to recent press cables, America is much exercised over the increasing price of crude rubber, which it is claimed has been brought out by the restrictions placed on the production of plantation rubber, under the British Stevenson scheme. It should be understood that Great Britain controls 60 per . cent, of the capital invested in rubber plantations and U.S.A. only 4 per cent. The present situation is cleverly “ hit off ” in the following extract from the New York Evening World. The extract is in the form of an exchange of open letters between two old friends, and is as follows: “To John Bull, London, England. Dear Old Pal, —Things are rather jumpy over here, and I thought I would write you a line and see what you could do. Rubber prices are especially jumpy, with the accent on the jump. Every morning I call up my garage to find out what tyres cost to-day. It is terrible.' Folks are walking on their uppers—they can’t afford rubber heels. When I park my car along the kerbing I don’t care who steals my motor or crankshaft if they only leave the tyres alone. “ I have been making inquiries about the high cost of rubber, and they intimate that it has something to do with you. This naturally surprised me.. I didn’t think you raised anything but novelists and lecturers. But, no ; they say you control fourfifths of the world’s supply of rubber. And I want to tell you, John, your control is perfect. “ There is certainly some bounce in your rubber prices. Now, of course, I appreciate how you feel about it. You owe me a lot of money from the late war, and you are squaring up with this rubber embargo. But, John, be reasonable, please. We have practically paid for the war by buying your crude liquor without soaking us with .this crude rubber thing. I am sure you don’t realise what you are doing to me—or do you? I admit all my folks are prosperous. Everybody here owns his own motor car, but only the rich can now afford to buy tyres. It is pitiable to see my people on the highways trying to patch inner tubes to stand just one more blowout. If you could see these sights along the roads on Sunday afternoon I am sure you would choke up. At least, I hope you’d choke.

Millions of my people ride around in Fords, and it’s a mighty tough hardship on them. For I assure you, John, that .tyres make some difference when riding in a ftiv, though heaven knows it’s not much. But your rubber quotations are causing intense suffering to many other folks. Babies are crying for rubber nipples, flappers are losing their marcel waves for lack of bathing caps, and cross-word puzzle fans are frantically clutching- at erasers as a drowning man grasps at a bale of hay.

“ What’s the matter with you, anyhow? Didn’t we give the Prince of Wales a good time? Haven’t we made your-, distilleries prosperous ? Well, then, what’s ailing you ? If you don’t

lay off this rubber hold up P.D.Q. we may do a little retaliating ourselves. We can more than get even with you any time we wish by repealing prohibition. Think this over, John, and I’d appreciate a prompt reply.—Your friend, Uncle Sam.” “ To Uncle Sam, Washington, U.S.A. Dear Sam,—Replying to your lovely letter woul4 say that it has certainly been tophole weather we’ve been having lately. My folks are having great sport up in Scotland shooting grouse, and we admire your President Coolidge very much. Michael Arlen is at work on a new novel, they say, and a couple more spicy divorce cases are on our docket for the autumn. The cinema reels you send over are peri fectly rotten, but we go to see them because we love you. Your jazz bands are also ripping, old fruit. Well, Sam, toodle-00. It was simply corking of |

you to write, and if there is anything I can do for you be sure to let me know.—Affectionately, John Bull»”