KAURI GUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 230, 28 September 1936, Page 4

KAURI GUM.

REDUCED SUPPLIES. GOOD QUALITY SCARCE. The prominent features in the move•ments of kauri gum during recent months have been the scarcity of white gum and the falling off in the total supplies during the winter. In the last three months only 443 tons arrived from the fields and very little of any grade of white gum was included in this, whereas the shipments to overseas markets during that period amounted to 81j tons, of which 581 tons went to the United Kingdom and only 64 tons to the United States, the next "best market. . This again illustrates the outstanding value of the Home market, although probably some of the 581 tons eventually found its way to the Continent, in addition to the 54 tons directly consigned to Germany and France. _ As might be expected when nothing went during August to the United States, the principal outlet for the higher qualities, the average value of the 257 tons exported during last mouth was only £25 14/ per ton, compared with £27 15/ in July and £32 15/ in June. It must be clearly understood that this does not imply a fall in the market, for the lower all-round value was only brought about by the large proportion of the most recent exports consisting of the lower grades. The following table shows the destination of the August exports, the number of tons to each country, the total value of the same and the average value per ton: — Destination. Tons. Value. Average. United Kingdom . 226 £5757 £25 0 (3 Australia 15 359 23 18 0 Japan 1(5 487 30 8 9 Totals • 257 £6603 £25 14 0 Any small quantities of white gum to hand have met a good inquiry, some moving off at slightly higher rates, Ijut parcels with high reserves were left on brokers' hands. A demand was experienced for white chips, but buyei's appeared to be definitely uninterested in parcels with unduly high reserves and they operated within fairly rigid limits. A small older came in for good clean bush glims and this was easily satisfied. Sufficient supplies of B1 and B2 have been received and indications suggest that exporters' requirements are satisfied for the present. Chalk and B3 have been arriving steadily and selling at late rates. Xubs and chips continued firm, although some merchants have discontinued buying for stock. Others report'that their orders have been almqst completed and they are now awaiting further ihquiries. Supplies to. hand during August are estimated '.at 153 tons and this return enables a comparison to', be made with" the inward and outward'movements for the first- eight months of the year,, the following i table showing the number of tons received and exported this year, com. pared wjith last year and with 1930, when the trade was more normal:— 1930. 1935. 1936. Rec. Exp. Ree. Exp. Ree. Exp. January . 371 235 312 222 182 151 February. 412 433 274 249 220 247 March . . 563 442 336 323 160 270 April ... 441 475 221 144 346 200 May 374 423 211 238 229 215 June ... 247 258 164 260 107 211 July 309 257 258 157 IS3 347 August . 194 318 172 307 153 257 Totals . 2911 2541 1948 1900 15S0 IS9S Supplies generally appear to have been sufficient to satisfy demands. While some, merchants' have been rather pressed for, immediate requirements, others have accumulated stocks in reserve for anticipated future demands. More talk has been heard regarding the Government again taking over the kauri gum industry, and it is understood that a meeting has been arranged between the producers and the Minister concerned at an early date. While some may welcome the new development, there are others who view it with misgivings.