RUBBER REGULATION (REPEAL) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

10.45 a.m.

The Assistant Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing (Mr Tan Theng Chiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Rubber Regulation Ordinance was enacted before the war, and it was necessary in the 1930's, during the years of trade depression when there was over-production of rubber and the price of rubber had dropped to a very low level. This Ordinance enforces limitation of rubber production in both large and small estates by the issue of coupons or grants of credit for permitted production after due assessment has been made of the holdings in each quarter.

It also regulates the sale of rubber lawfully produced under the terms of this Ordinance, as well as the import and export of rubber, except under prescribed conditions.

Since the war, as hon. Members are aware, control over the production of rubber has not been exercised, nor is there any international agreement over production between rubber-producing countries, and as a result the provisions of this Ordinance have not been administered. The Ordinance has not, however, been repealed previously because of the necessity to keep in force the provisions of section 11 of the Ordinance setting up the Malayan Rubber Fund and the Advisory Committee for the administration of the Fund. This Fund and the Advisory Committee were in existence until 15th January, 1959.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Tan Theng Chiang].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read the Third time and passed.