Evening star., 1928-04-04
RUBBER EXPORTS
CURB TO Be ENDED
Premier Baldwin Says Re-
striction Plan Will Be
Dropped November /.

BY the Associated Press
LONDON. April 4.-Premier Baldwin
announced in the House OF Commons
today that all restrictions on the export
of rubber from British Malaga and Cey-
Ion would be removed November l, 1928.
The existing restriction scheme.
known as the Stevenson plan. under
which the proportion Of rubber permit
ted to be exported at a minimum rate
of duty varied with the price of crude
rubber, will be continued unaltered in
the meantime.
Replying to questions the premier
said that there would be debate on the
matter and that full information would
be given to the House.
Asks Reason for Debate.
Asked whether the new situation re-
Quired the sanction Of the Commons.
Premier Baldwin replied that he would
like notice Of the question. but that he
thought 1t could be done by order OF
the colonial office.
Neil Maclean. Laborite. thereupon In
teriected. IF you have the right TO re-
move restrictions or to impose restric-
tons, what is the use of having a de-
NtAAL tkktQh
Comdr. Joseph Kenworthy, Laborite.
intImated that he would raise questions
tomorrow.
The premier's announcement had a
demoraliZing effect in Mincing Lane.
where the price slumped 2ls pence %
1o94 pence per pound for spot and
May delivery. June was quoted at l0Is
pence, and July and December at IL
pence per pound.
Further selling later caused another
decline Of farthing. with weak tone.
On the Stock Exchange dealers marked
down the prices of rubber shares in an
ticipation of clients selling, but this
afternoon not many shares were chang
ing. hands.
Meet Producers Disfayor.
The restrictions imposed on the ex-
port OF rubber from Malaga and Cey-
lon for the past few years. have recent
iy been meeting with increasing dis
favor among rubber producers them
selves, because Of the steady decline In
the price OF the crude product. For
some time the proportion of rubber per-
mitted export at a minimum rate OF
duty has been dropping at intervals OF
three months
Under the Stevenson plan, II the av-
erage price of rubber in London was
under 81, but not under Is pence a
pound during any quarter, the exporta-
bic percentage Of standing production
for the ensuing quarter at the mini
mum rate Of duty was to be reduced
by 10.
II the average price OF any quarter
was not under 81. but was less than "a
mas 10 hA M ehaF0a ff1
the ensuing quarter
II the average price for any quarter
was "a or more pence, the percentage
was to be increased by 10 for the en-
suing quarter.
In no case was the percentage 10 be
increased above 100. or decreased be-
low so.
Rubber Steadily Falls.
Despite these restrictions, the price
OF rubber has kept steadily falling and
the percentage permitted export at a
minimum rate of duty has been down
TO the minimum Of 60 for some months.
Even with q 60 per cent output, the
and i3 pence.
Last month opposition TO restriction
came 10 a head In Singapore and CO.
Iombo Forty-geyen OF seVenty-two re-
sponses TO a QUESTIONABLE circulated by
the Singapore Chamber ot Commerce
favored removal OF restriction. At the
same time the East Ceylon Estate Pro-
prietors' Association made public sug-
gestion that unless defects in the rub
ber restriction scheme could be rcme-
died and the scheme applied 10 oil rub
ber producing contries 1t should he re-
placed by comprehensive plan pro-
viding for the adequate control OF sup
plies.
In London rubber circles the general
feeling has been 10 place the blame for
failure OF the Stevenson scheme upon
the refusal OF Dutch planters 10 CO.
operate The Dutch planters have Teen
rapidly nearing position OF dominance
In the market. Their pro tuctton for the
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