RUBBER (PRODUCTION AND EXPORT). (Hansard, 21 March 1932)

§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

The following official communiqué was issued on Saturday night: The British and Netherlands Governments in association with representatives of rubber growers in British and Dutch overseas territories have been engaged in negotiations, in order to see whether a practicable scheme for the improvement of the rubber situation could be devised. In the course of these negotiations the British and Netherlands Governments have consulted the Governments of Ceylon, Malaya and 707 the Netherlands Indies. After a careful review of the situation, the two Governments have been forced to the conclusion that under present conditions it is impossible to frame and operate an international scheme which would guarantee the effective regulation of the production or export of rubber. This communiqué was issued at a time carefully chosen as being in the best interest of the industry and most convenient to market conditions. I do not think that within the limits of a Parliamentary answer I can add materially to the above statement. During the discussions the whole position was most carefully reviewed, in order to test the practicability of any scheme of restriction. The conclusion was reached that the practical difficulties were such as to preclude the adoption, with any reasonable prospect of success, of any comprehensive and effective scheme. This conclusion, which I am satisfied was inevitable in all the circumstances, has been reluctantly accepted by both the Governments concerned. I should like to add that I feel deeply indebted to the very experienced representatives of the rubber growing industry, who have been associated with the Government throughout the negotiations. Without their knowledge, experience and continuous work, it would have been impossible to undertake the comprehensive review of the industry and its circumstances which was necessary.