KAURI GUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 8

KAURI GUM.

MUCH HEAVIER EXPORTS.

NAVIGATING THE ST. LAWRENCE,

The stoppage of traffic on the St. Lawrence (luring the winter, and the consequent urgency of obtaining necessary supplies before the river • becomes icebound has been largely responsible for tile excessive exports of kauri gum during August. Official returns show 94 tons sent to Canada, the largest quantity sent to that country in one month for many years, the August steamer being the last that can be relied upon to arrive while the liver is still navigable. This makes 210 tons sent to Canada during the past tour months, and this 94 tons contributed to the total of 427 tons exported to a*l countries during August, the largest amount exported in any month in the last tour years, except during No\ ember, 1936, when an abnormal export to the United Kingdom lifted the total amount to 441 tons. A very unusual export during August was the shipment of 15 tons to Italv. This trade is very rarely conducted direct with Italj, that countryg requirements usually being purchased in London, and the probable Reason for the order coming to Atickland is that stocks of the quality required are low 111 London. This explanation is supported by the fact that only 404 tons went to the United Kingdom dinting the tnst six months of the year, whereas 1064 tons went during the corresponding period last year. Depleted London stocks may also account for the 248 tons shipped to that market during August. An outlet States, one ton to Australia, and the (states, one ton t oAustralia, and the abnorma quantity of 42 tons to Japan compared with only 21 tons during the previous 12 months.

I lie total valuation of the export in August is £19,097, winch is more than in any month since the early part of 1930 when quite a reliable trade was being conducted. 11ns works out at about £44 ]•>/ per ton, compared with £30 15/ in July and £o9 19/ in June, but it has been shown m earlier reviews that the monthly fluctuations give no real indication of the market prices of the gum itself for so much depends on whether the bulk goes to Australia and the United States largely consisting of high qualities, or to U n. .chjefly cheap linoleum grades Supplies from the fields have been rather small lately, apparently due to buyers from the city having previously canvassed the main producing areas for the small stocks held by diggers and storekeepers, otocks in city stores are not excessive and even these are largely held for higher prices than are at present obtainable The recession of trade in the United States keeps the demand very quiet for tile better qualities that usually find an outlet in that country.