Restriction.

Cost Of Rubber

SIR ERIC GEDDES, the chairman of the Dunlop Rubber Company, at the annual meeting of the Company, did not hold the view that restriction of rubber output would be a good measure.

He drew attention to the great re duction that had taken place in the cost of production on the Dunlop rub ber plantations, and declared that in the current year the cost was less than 2d. per lb. He was looking forward to a still further reduction as the result of increased production; and he added: “When this cost is achieved, as we be lieve it will be, the present so-called low prices for rubber will not be found to be unprofitable.” He considered this was the obvious direction in which salvation for the rubber industry was to be found.

“I respectfully suggest,” continued Sir Eric, “that no Government has the right to impose a restriction scheme which will penalise the efficient producer, in order artificially to assist the inefficient; it is unjust to the efficient producer and

to the public. Four and a quarter mil non pounds are invested in our rubber plantations company and we know of no workable restriction scheme which avoids this injustice.”