THE PRICE OF LEATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 13, 15 January 1918, Page 5

THE PRICE OF LEATHER.

A HABK£D INCREASE. SCARCTTX OF HEAVY, HIDES. Leather, like many; other commodities, had shown a marked increase in price since the outbreak of war, and is no doubt partially responsible for the large increase in the price of boots. At least it is claimed by the manufacturers thai it is one of the Teasans for the increase. Basil—a sheepskin tanned with bark—■ which is used to a considerable extent in the manufacture of horse collars, has increased from about 35/ per dozen skins to about 90/ per dozen. In other forms lit is used also for the manufacture of {handbags and articles of a. similar description, but no matter in what form it is used the increase is about the same. 'imported kid. for men's and women's boots have advanced from about 10d per foot to anything from 2/ per foot to 2/4 per foot, and it is very difficult to get even at that. Tan kid, which was formerly about 2/ per foot, new ranges from 3/9 to 4/ per foot. This, too, is " almost unobtainable at the present time. Chrome sheep eliins used for slippers have increased from 5d per foot , to about 10d per foot. Chrome kips'—that cowhides or iox hides used for the manufacture of boots—do not showquite such a marked increase, the increase in the case of these being ronghly from 1/0* per foot to 1/5 per foot. Waxed kips, used for a similar purpose, formerly ranged from . 12/2 to 2/6 per foot, and now range from 12/10 per foot to 3/4 per foot. Calf skins are in great demand at the present time, the principal trouble get them heavy enough. It is statecTthat whereas two seasons ago the people were killing their calves, they are now saving them, and the skins are becoming increasingly, scarce. The price for box calf, used; in the manufacture of men's and women's toots, has increased since then from 1/2 per foot to 1/10 per foot. The leather that is most difficult to get, however, is that made from heavy, hides, and used for heavy sole leather.' One of the reasons for "the scarcity of this is the fact that for the past two seasons or so 'dealers in stock have not been keeping their cattle for any length of time beyond the age of two or three years, aa at the prices ruling it would not pay them to do so. Consequently heavy . hides have .become fairly scarce, the hides' on the young beasts hot being fully, matured. Added to-that is-the fact that there is no English leather coining in, and thie is another reason adduced for the increase in. price. -A. few have been imported from America, oirt tliese, too, have shown a marked increase, the prewar price being abou£"2/, per Ib as eorqpare,d with 4/9 perlb at present. These figures give some indication-., of the general rise that.has,' smee. tke/o>tbreak^of-war.. - «