Price Of Rubber
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent who wrote the “Tropicality” on the price of rubber received by Papuan planters (September 21st issue, page 8), has assumed the wrong basis entirely, apart from the fact that the quotation for Para rubber has got nothing to do with the question.
Para is only manufactured in South America and in relatively small quan tities, and has no bearing on the price for smoked sheet, which is the main product of rubber growers in Papua and other countries.
At the date mentioned the London price for smoked sheet was only 2 7-8d.
Adding the protective duty of 4d per lb. gives a gross price in Australia to the seller of 6 7-8d.
But as only about 80 per cent of an estate’s production can be graded as No. 1 sheet, the other qualities bring down the average price received over the total production.
I am, etc.,
Godfrey Darling.
Sec., Domara Est., Pty., Ltd.
Melbourne, 31/10/32.