BRITISH TYRE AND RUBBER
Sir Walrond Sinclair, chairman of the British Tyre and Rubber Company, is among the growing number of indus- trialists who would like to see a vigorous drive for export markets. At this week's meeting he expressed the view that " there are buyers all over the world at present cut off from their normal markets of recent years who would welcome British goods if they were more readily available." What is required, he thinks, is a lead from the Government, backed (Continued on page 884) FINANCE AND INVESTMENT
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by an assurance that, subject to the prior allocation of supplies essential for the fighting forces and home services, " an appropriate portion of the balance of the nation's resources both of material and man power would be ear- marked for export trade and allocated sufficiently ahead." Only then would it be possible for manufacturers to approach overseas markets confidently on sound business lines.
As for the company's trading position, Sir Walrond did not under-estimate the difficulties created by rising costs, but one gets the impression that turnover is still increasing and that ultimately the greater part of the cost increase will be passed on to the consumer in higher selling prices. It is also apparent from his review that earnings are substantially in excess of the dividend paid, for not only has the parent company made large provisions for reserves and contin- gencies, but the India Rubber, Gutta Percha subsidiary has distributed much less to the parent than profits would have justified. *
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