The official rubber regulation committee's statistics for eleven months in 1940 show the world net exports of rubber-producing countries were 1,277,000 long tons against 901,615 the year before. World absorption in the same period was 971,311 tons against 1,007,000. It is expected that the full year's supplies will be 1,400,- 000 tons and the absorption about 1,050,000. Most of the excess supplies were absorbed by the United States.
At the annual meeting of the British-controlled Mexican Corporation, Ltd., the chairman referred this week to the favorable results of Mexican mining activities. The Fresnillo mine, the company's chief holding i Mexico, easily sold its large silver output. Simultaneously it lost its markets for lead and zine in Europe but was able to sell part of its supply to the United States. United States import duties on lead and zine constitute a heavy burden so that much of the output was stored.
The British Government is considering a proposal of Argentine maize exporters who plan the erect tion of a plant for the compressing of maize into feeding cake, thus reducing the bulk by at least half. As the shipping shortage is the chief reason for the discontinuation of British purchases of Argentine maize the plan may alter this policy. Thus far no decision has been taken in London. Government officials expect the erection of the plant will require much time, thus making the plan impracticable unless the war lasts long.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.