The remarkable advance in the prosperity of the tin mining industry in Malaya last year and particularly since the outbreak of war is shown in official statistics just released.
The. total exports of tin and tin-in-ore during 1939 amounted to 53,174 tons, of which 1,840 tons were for Buffer Stock compared with 41,077 tons in 1938, of which 3,743 tins were for Buffer Stock. Over 50 per cent. of the total exports for 1939 were met since the outbreak of war.
The value of the tin produced last year, based on the customs price of tin at the time of export, at £10,819272, was nearly £3,800,000 more than the figure for 1937. The value of the tin produced from September to the end of the year amounted to over £7,000,000. 3 In order to meet the heavy demands for tin following the outbreak of war, more than 240 mines nave been opened or re-opened, and during that period, the number of miners employed has been increased by 20,000.—Reuter, Rubber Statistical Report July/Dec.
The permissible exportable allowance for the third quarter was 60 per cent. and for the fourth quarter 75 per cent. The Malayan permissible exportable amount for the half year July/December, 1939, was 213,- 300 tons, against which it is estimated that 208,395 tons were produced. Actual exports from the restricted areas in Malaya amounted to 208,162 tons.
Imports of foreign rubber into Malaya during July/December, 1939, amounted to 94,618 tons, as against 83,233 tons during the first half of the year, and 156,101 tons for the whole of 1988.
The price of spot rubber at Ist July, 1939, was 28% cents per Ib, and at December 30, 1939, 37% cents per lb, the highest and lowest prices ruling during the period being 40% and 27% cents respectively.
Freight rates ruling during the period 1st July to 3rd September were—1 U.K. Continent 67s. 6d. USA. Atlantic Ports 00 U.S.A. Pacific Ports On September 4 all freight rates became subject to a surcharge of 20 per cent, which was later increased to 30 per cent. for U.K, and 50 per cent. for Continental ports, respective rates at December 31, 1939, being United King Continent oon ea.
USA. Atlan 00—420 USA. Pacific i. UBS4BO—+20
The following are principal statistics for 1939, compared with those for 1938, (in tons)
United Kingà U.S.A. and Afloat ni lom Malayan Production 1: pt U.S.A. Consumption lined Rubber 82700
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.