Mr. Amery, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in a speech introducing, the Colonial Office estimates, after stating that he did not think the! Stevenson Scheme responsible for the sharp rise in the price of rubber said:—"Certainly if a close investigation of the problem in the next few weeks should—reveal a situation different from that which our igvestigations have hitherto shown and the prospect of a tion even with the ex of release, then of course we shall have very carefully to consider whether any change might have to made in those rates, Our own] concern in the matter is maintenance not of the vote of undue profit but successful maintenance of great industry on which millions of British capital have been sunk and, ut the some time, to supply to Britain and also the world raw material at a rescuable price.
"So far from its being our object! to maintain unduly high prices, I believe that a moderate and reasonable price would give the British rubber industry in Malaya and Ceylon the best opportunity of hold ing its own against the industry of other countries. We are will aware that the continued level of high prices would lead to extensive plantation elsewhere. I know certain manufacturers in Britain are considering closing down—_certain branches.- This requires a very searching scrutiny. A sudden change of policy could only be carried out with grave unfairness to those who have made contracts in the past fortnight or past two months. On: aim is to maintain stability as far as possible."
Mr. J. H. Thomas (Labou former Colonial Secretary) approved the Colonial Office handling of the subject. He hoped they would not} lose their heads in spite of the clever propaganda going on, calcul ed to deceive people here.——Reuter.
Urgent Plea for Allowed of Increased Export July 31.
The Industrial Group of the House of Commons to-day received a deputation representing the Rubber Manufacturers' Association, pleaded for modification of the!
Stevenson Scheme to the extent of five to 10 per cent. above the present level. Otherwine, they declared, many of the smaller rubber Ywanufacturers wold be compelled to go out of businedg. during the next few, months. og, The Group promised to consider all he facts and to seek an early The spot pri August 1 wi Mr. Garro-Jones (Liberal) asked
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.