KAURI GUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 88, 15 April 1931, Page 4

KAURI GUM.

STOCKS ACCUMULATING. TREND OF THE MARKET. The most noticeable feature in the trade during the month of March is the pronounced increase in the stocks held in local stores. This is due to the arrival of 386 tons from the fields, a larger quantity than has been received in any month since last April, whereas the quantity exported was only 96 tons, according to the Customs returns, which is the smallest monthly export on record during recent years. However, it should be noted that the bulk of the stocks now accumulated in the city comprises very.low grade chips, a quality which has had no sale during the past twelve months. Of the 96 tons exported, five tons went to Australia, 36 to Europe, and 55 to the United States, whereas in February only 36 tons of the 125 tons exported went to America. The movements of kauri gum during the first three months show a heavy reduction from the quantity .dealt in during the corresponding periods of last year, as indicated by the following table, both supplies and exports reflecting the reduced demand at lower prices:— I

White Gum. —Rescraped is still neglected, and in some cases the stocks in hand have been used to fill the orders for seven-eighths white which have been coming in steadily during the past few months. Three-quarters scraped white has had a dull market. Ordinary wash gum and white nuts are selling steadily at late rates. Inquiries have come in for white chips, but in some instances orders have had to be turned down on account of the buying limits being too low. Bush gums have been selling on a firmer market, but some producers are still holding for better prices. Swampy chalk gum has had no inquiry for some time. Black Gum.—A small order came in for rescraped black gum. Being only a few cases, it was filled from merchants' stocks, bcraped black has had inquiries, but only small business has eventuated. Ordinary unscraped steel has been dull of sale for rates small lots only selling at late Oidinary black and brown is now selling in larger parcels, but as sales have been limited to two buyers the priccs have been rather unsatisfactory. In chips the inquiry has been more general, and it is I thought that the market is at rock bottom.

1930. 1931. Sup- Ex- Sup- Explies. porta, plies, ports. January ... 381 235 158 188 ... 412 433 281 125 March 503 422 380 90 Total ... 1350 1090 825 409