THE TRADE OF 1907.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 13000, 31 December 1907, Page 8

THE TRADE OF 1907.

SOME INTERESTKVCr STATISTICS AND INTERVIEWS.

As will bo *een by tho statistics and interviews appended with reference to the trade- of the year lit mhhc <>i tlio jnost. important industries thcr«? is every reason tor hearty congratulation. Another important point is the vory great increase—as shown liy tlu> intorniiitioiL supplietl by architects in building* not alone in the commercial portion of the city, but also in the residential.

THE WOOLLEN* INDUSTRY

One of tin* most- inipo-rtaiu of on local industries u> represented in the city by the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company. In view of the faci that tho company's fine warehouse anil a considerable stock of manufactured goods had btxm recently destroyed b> tiro, it seemed peculiar, t«> say the least of it, to ask the manager (.Mr I. Morons) if tho yoiir had been a tory one in tho woollen trade. However, Mr Horeus kindly con.sen ted t< leave, tho fire out of the reckoning a.much an possible. ''During tho past your, , ' he said, "wool has certainly been at price* which have boon tor> excessive, lor manufacturers to find a great margin of profit, but our milland factories have boon fully occupied. There has been ft severe .scarcity of skilled female labour, and that scarcity is now extending to all branches of our industry. We have lost our warehouse mid a large jKirtion of manufaciurcd stocks, but. wo have, started tho erection of whet will without doubt be. tho linest and largest premises in Now Zealand devoted to woollen goods exclusively. As to tho coming year, wo are very "hopeful, and I see no reason why the, demand for woollen goods should fall off. I think tho outside demand has been decidedly greater sinco tho Xow Zealand Exhibition — whatever tho Exhibition did not do, it certainly fostered o demand for New Zealand woollen goods in the United States, Canada. Australia. Japan, India, China, .and tho Home Country. The troublo has been that, we am so busy satisfying local consumption that wo havo not been able to look at any export trade. The prospects of cheaper wool are certainly brighter than at the. beginning of last year, and some relief from the •exccf-MV© rates of pastyears may bo experienced. On that point, of course, our interest's arc not identical with those of the wool-erow-ers—wo don't like wool too cheap, neither do wo like it too dear. On the whole, tho position is not unpromising." IROXMONT.KRV. "I don't think this year's business has como up to last year's, ns far as tho rnl'nne of trade is concerned.' , said a prominent iionmonger, when ho was asked -what !hid br«en tho general experieiieo of ironmongers during tho year. However, lw was not unduly depressed, and 'he admitted thot, all th'iDgs considered, there wne not much to complain about. ''Last year," ho fi«id, "avis the best most of us had experienced for a. long time, end there ea.n bo no doubt that it wne an exceptional one. There- vrus finrt the Exhibition and tho. preparations for it, nnd people bestirred themselves and put their houses in good order for whit was n unique occasion. All these tihihgs conspired to make the yenr an exceptional ono in our trade." In regard to the. business of the expiring year, Jie said that the fears that the closing of the Exhibition would create o great lull hid not materialised into actual fact, though there had been a decline, which could 'be- accounted for mtuTß'tly enough. The> proepe-rity of tlio -trade w;js derpeTide.ut. on tho octivity of building operations in tho city, and.on the success of tho farmer with X"is crops «nd pricee. During the year the jbuildinfi trad© ihed kept up very well, and thero was cvory indication' of continued octivity during 1908. As far ns tho (weaker could judge, there, was OYery prospect of the coming y«ir boing a estiefactory ono for iroiir nnongors. AXD STATIONERS. Mr G. H. Whitcombf, of the wellknown firm of Whit combe ami Tombs, was most optimistic in regard to business past and future. "Trade this year has undoubtedly !>oen in advance of that or tho previous year," he said. This desirable state, of affairs he attributed to the general prosperity in tho city and province, and the increased population. Money had been fairly plentiful during tho whole year, though there had been a slight tightness a few months back. The Exhibition,had not affected trade, ns so many people had ipredicted ; bettor business wns being done this December than in tho December of 1906. "As to the Christmas trade," Mr Whitoombo concluded, "it is better now than it has boon during the last ten years." THE IMPIiEintENT TRADE. Tho implement trade, reflecting so closely as it does tho progress an<l prosperity of the agricultural industry, has proved equally good with the results of 1900. 'Ihe ordinary "bread and butter" lines, such as ploughs, harrows, cultivators, etc., havo found a steady demand, while more complicated appliances of larger size have had even greater vogue than formerly. •There is a gratifying increase in tho extent of land being placed under cultivation, and farmers of tho now school are manifesting a keen desire to advantage themselves by tho most modern labour-saving devices. Ono local firm is opening up a market for its wares in India, while it is also recorded that tho export of implements to Australia has not been quite as good this year as in 1906. Xew Zealanders who have settled in other parts of the world—notably in South Africa—continue to display their patriotism by ordering large quantities of farm implements manufactured in the Dominion. British-made oil engines are also coming more largely into use than before, and by all appearances, as adjuncts to the agricultural and pastoral industries, there is a large and useful \ field open Ibr these particularly hnndy sources of cheap motive <power. THE BOOT TRADE. '•The boot trnde this year Ins been Konvewhflt disturbed by the new tariff, md ono orcnnot say with any cwitaintv what the ultimate effect will .be." Void Mr J. A. Frostick. of Ske-1-ton. Frostick mid CV>. "Speaking from the point of view of the volume of trade, J think t.ho year has bee,n fnirly satisfactory— rhut is proved by the scarcity of tabotir which hos been frilt more or less ill through the year. As President cf the Boot Manufacturers' Federation of Xew Zealand, J have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that if we were granted two or 'three yea-re of industrial peace, the boot trade would become not only sitisfactory to all concerned, but it would become en ever-inerensing national indnetrv."

THE DRAPERY TRADE

The opening of the Exhibition Jaet veer was a potent factor in stimulating the demand for <lr»n*ry and millinery of the moro ornate and expensive character, co that this year the soft goods trade has hod somewhat of a struggle to approach the figures for 19OJ. The results, however, Inve proved Pwtisfactory, and the yte-ar's business has been o,uite ut> to thet of tho preceding period. The recent Christinas trade was considerably better than the return for the tame seabOii of liKXi. 'flioso in soft line have ili&rovered 1 tendency on the purt of the public to purchase lew exjHMieive fabrics tiion tormerly. One trader eUributed the

j change to the larger families that arc [ now tho rule, and another to tlio fact that !<*v> «.-lal«r«ite Toilv'tts have been found \o suffice since the Exhibition period closed. Jxist veer ninny expensive dresses were ordered in view of numerous visits to the Homo Country. There has boon a large rim on transparent goods this &eason. Kiich afi .iinii<;iiis. rli-laiiips. etc.. end tho trade in this class of were* lias unfitly ex(■•■eded |r<-vioiu return.*. There h«is also iir-e-u a. strourj fctlinsi in favour of purclrtsing more ii.-oful pre- | K'-'it.s' than ever before, and rot Ineaily the same quantity of trashy goods is demanded. Money does not go so far in the purchase of silk 'inr'j j woollen dres.s fabrics as three years ago, but the trade is in a more satisfactory condition to both producer and ■ retailer than formerly. Customers nro cominy more into touch with the Home fashions, and secure an advantage by recognising what is seasonable and what is not. ISo far bs the soft goods tri'le os a. whole is concerned, there is no abatement in the desire of the people to dress ■well, their spending p'.iwrr is <mi tho increase, iml fco for from the- closing of tho Exhibition causing a j slump, tho money left behind locally Iby visitors from other parts has assisted most materially to swell the trade returns for the year. THE GROCERY AND PROVISION TRADE. In tho wholesale grocery and provision trade a muck more successful year than last has been experienced, despite the fact of the Exhibition opening in the -summer of li)0(i, and the heavy Christmas business in consequence. After the closing of the Exhibition a decided slackness of trade and tightness of money were ox|>erier.eed, but with the advent of spring things improved rapidly, and the November and December results eclipsed 1 all records for those months. The abolition of the duty on sugar, currants, raisins, and dates, no doubt increased tho quantities of these commodities consumed. Tho spending j>c.\ver of the people (the representative of a large wholesale firm stated) continued strong, and manifested itsel* first in a desire to purchase-food commodities. The people of New Zealand persisted in their preference of imported articles as, against those of homo manufacture, and the dealers were the most pronounced in this respect. Two classes of goods were kept—tho English for the good class trade, and colonial when something cheap was required. This preference, strungo to say, was most pronounced in Canterbury. In other parts of the Dominion there was mi inclination to givo New Zealand manufactures a fairer trial, but here the people were more conservative in their tastes. The gratifying result* of tho year's operations, the speaker concluded, were for tho most part due to the general prosperity prevailing and the increase of population. THE BUILDINGS OF THE YEAR, The work in connection with building during the year has l>ecn extensive, as will bo seen from the official return of building permits granted by the City which have been as follows:— Month. Ko. Va.'ue. January ~ .. 52 £Jl.Mf» February .. .. 61 jE42,370 March .. .. 51 .£21,150 j Apri! .. .. ~ A\ £18.800 May .. .. ~ 66 £32,950 June .. ~ ~ G2 £35,-296 July .. .. .. 67 £44,750 I August .. .. ~ • 7G £40,830 September •. .. K6 £36,."00 Ootober .. .. G7 JE'20,4.10 November .. .. .15 £39,200 December .. .. 3J £21.285 1 Totals .. .. 682 £390,341 Tho priimpfll Imildings erected during the year, or -which nre, iix course of approaching completion, are the new theatre, tho new offices of the Prens Company (the finest building of its kind in Australasia), Mr A. \V. Smith's garage, Worcester street; the new building in Cashel street for the Miissey-Harris: the "Times" Chambers in Gloucester street; the new municijial tepid baths: two-storeyed premises, warehouses and miction rooms, for Uaker Bros, in Manchester street; extension of Hnj-ward Hros.' pickle factory ; Drainage Bonrd new buildings, Hereford street; Wood Bros.' new building, Cashel street; extension of Dalgety and Co.'s lniildings, Cathedral square; extensions of farmers . Cooperative buildings: Farmers' »Snlejards buildings, St. Asaph street; shops for Mr J. M. Leigh, Colonbo street; shops for Mr J. H. Hall. Colombo ftroet; fjhons, cafe, etc., Grace's buildings ; workers' homes, Sydenham ; Caledonian Hotel: extensions to Marine Hotel, Sumner. In addition there hnve been a very largo number of private residences erected, the building trade having been exceedingly busy in all departments, with a very promising outlook for ][>08. As showing the extent of residential building which has been done, one firm of architects report having erected about'£lo,ooo worth. TRANSACTIONS IN PROPERTY. "This is tho best year we hnve experienced for a long time," said Mr Evans, -who has. charge of the property department for Mr Charles Clark, the well-known land And estate agent. ' The demand for city and suburbaa properties, ho continued, liad been firm, and Auction sales had turned out very suecessfullv. One of the best sales of the year was that of the Deans's Riccarton estate, when fifty sections were disposed of during an afternoon at record prices. There had be«M> frequent predictions of a. slump in tho property market, but the gloomy prognostications had failed to moterialise into fact. As compared with the previous year, the prices realised for suburban ureas had not increased very appreciably, but there had been *a decided advance in city properties. As an instance, six sections in Cashel and Hereford streets had realised £27,000. a figure which one would v,ot have wired to name twelve months earlier. This (leal in land had the effect of spnding up-prices in that vicinity, and it wes backed up by the efforts of various business firms to secure central sites and premises. The maintenance of lush prices for land, city and suburban, depended naturally on the pmsperitv of the city and district. While Mr Evans did not care to predict o further appreciation in values, he saw no reason to fenr that- the pc««inm?s' slump was. appearing over tho horizon. THE STOCK AND GRAIN MARKETS. The year 1907 saw considerable fluctuations in the stock market, which were chiefly due to local causes. Tho summer -was dry. and in January and February the outlook for graziers throughout Canterbury was anything but bright. There was an unusually large crop of lambs, and the rape crops were light, and in some cases practiea'ly a failure, wailo it wa* diffi:ult to get a strike of turnips. There was naturally a tendency on the part of farmers to reduce their stocks, and prices for all descriptions of sheep fell considerably as compared with the previous year. In March came the slaughtermen's strike, which cowpuisorily closet! the freezing works. With the shortage of feed there wa3 a con siderable amount of anxiety for the welfare of stock, but the closing of the work-s proved :x blwsing in dismii**.-. It compelled farmers to hold instead of sell, and rain coming at this critical time, tho posit ion in a short time changed. 'there was a cood growth of grass all through the autumn, and those ivho kcldfeon to their store stock

were amply recouped. To fat lam growers the- year was. on the whole, fairly good one. despite the drawback that had to be contended with. 1 I January prime lambs were selling a J los to 16s, and extra prime to 17s 0* j and over. In February there was littl jor no change* beyond the fact tlia unfinished lines suffered more in oon: j parisen with other years, on account < : the -hortnge of feed, any specially goo iilots being marked by a further ad Ivance. Karly iv March there was slight relapse, freezers being quoted a l.*« to If* 0d and 17s. tegs to 20.< From that timo to the middle of Apr; i the market wae without much change ! but towards the close there was agar lan improvement, which continued int ! .May, when prices were quite Is bettor ! quotations at that time being los G< ;to 17s txl for average freezing line? ; togs 18s to 20s 6d, and so the marke : continued until well into June. To 'wards the close of that month, ther was a slight reaction, but it was lull; recovered in July, the .seaeon elosini o:i a firm and satisfactory basis, th exports of lamb from the colony ii] to Juno :W'.h i> ing 2,i>81.2-W cereasoe :an increase of 232,.'H0 carcases over th ' corresponding period of thy previou ; year. Of the total, the Canterbury ; Kaikoura district supplied .1.107.18: 'carca.se*, an increase of 80,031 carcase? .Owing to the scarcity of prime sheep fnt wethers and <■« e.s kept up a fairl; good price early in the, year, and lute on when supplies became plentiful i high level of values wns still main t'lined. All through the winter it th spf ing- months prime wethers were sfll ing at 22s (id to 28s 6d, and extr: prime lots were realising 30s and sonic times over. The- continued dry wea ther during the summer in Cantorbur; and a still worse state of affairs regards feed in North Otago, broughi about a temporary reversal of tin order of railing sheep. For manj years past Otago and Southland hav< supplied Canterbury with large numbers of .".tore sheep annually; lasl yenr Southland not only took in Cantor bury .sheep on agistment, but largt purchases were made by Sou the it buyers when store sheep were at theii lowest level in Canterbury, and, needless to soy. the venture turned onl t> highly profitable one. Many of the sheep came back in the spring, and were sold at high prices in the fat pons at Addington. The autumn sales of storo sheep taking place before the feed prospects wore assured, breeding ewes were secured at lower rates than the year before. There, was considerable culling ot , old sheep done through the agoncv of the preserving works, and a .period of low prices has thus a beneficial result in this respect. The top price for two-tooth half bred ewes at the Amuri Fair in March was 23s 6d. aa against 28s the year before. The fet rattle market he. Yon a somewhat uneventful one.. Though s-hortago of feed kept down, the ayerof quality, there was always sufficient ■lMinibcre'to supply the local demand, except for a short time at the close of winter,- when the North Island wae largely drawn on. Store cottJo have been dull of sale all , the year, fls it is on.lv when there is an abundnnce of feed beyond what is required for sheep ■that 'anything :more than a- nomia.l de«mand is manifested. Pigs, on the other 'hand, have brought record prices, the scarcity and dearness of grain having curtailed both breeding and fattening operations. The lambing was not. so good as. in •1900, though the percentego was well up to the average, and there wore- few losses from bad weather. The spring and early summer toeing favourable for lembs. they made excellent growth, and .in November they were heavier weights and of better quality than in other year*. The, summer having again set. in dry has naturally affected tho condition of tho Jambs, but tho quality is still better than that of last year's la.mbe at this time. The. weather for shearing has, on tiho whole, been very satisfactory. Tho clip wne not quite equal in condition to that of last year, and, unfortunately for growers , , prices at the. local that Ihare been held so far show a decided decline on tho year. Halfbred and merino wool have suffered the least, though in regard to merino Khero has yet been co little offered bhn-t tlio real vailue was not ascertainjl»le. »Super. halfbred , reached only 13d this year, as against lod tost year. Wt other descriptions of wool, and particularly eoareo wools, were down From 3d to 4d per lb. It is hoped, however, that there will be some imiM'ovemeiit during the year, as tdie fall in price* 3ia.s boon brought about ■hiofly by other causes than the operation of the Jaw of supply and demand. Tfie grii-n. trade has passed tOirougih several phases during tho veer. New .vlieat opened at 3s, at which a very arge que<nitity changed ha.nds, end ate.r on, when fears begin to be enertained that the crop estimate of the department of Agriculture was too iberal, tho market rose till 6s, f.0.b., vfls reached in the spring. The high >rice of flour and bread caused an imitation in favour of the removal of he duty on wheat'and flour, "and i proposal to that effect was Jiarrowly [efeated in the House of Representa■iyes. A Bill was subsequently passed nth the object of preventing c monopoly, and an undue riso in prices. rhe money troubles in America, and a apid dedline in the prices of wheal nd flour in Australia, however, the position for the time being. i\'ie present crop of wheat is somo 8,000 acres lees than last year, aad it vronwses to give about an average ield. Oflts .have proved a highly >rontablo crop during the year, and lolders were able to get from 3s to 3s kl per bushel in the bpring. Th© inreased area sown for feed end threshng this jexr is 46,199 acres. Beyond short reign of high pricee a short ime ago. caused by speculation in the outh, potatoes liave kept a. fairly low rrico throughout the year, local mir> ■Hes l>eing eupplemented by large shipments into Tho North Island from asmania. The low price of potatoes us a eet-off to till© coneumer against he high price of bread.