IMPORTS FROM ABROAD.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15489, 17 January 1916, Page 10

IMPORTS FROM ABROAD.

GLASSWARE FROM HOLLAND

j apan~e.sk encroachments

There does not appear to he any serious shortage of household glasswarp as far as ellington is concerned. Enquiries made by n "Post reporter on Friday show that- in spite of the fate of the .glassware factories in Belgium, sufficient stocks tor immediate purposes aro available from other sources. That there is quiet confidence at Home regarding the ultimate issue of the war is indicated by the iact that British glassware manufacturers are still sending out samples ol new designs to the Dominions overseas. For instance, o n e warehouse manager states that samples have already been received with a view to orders lor this year's Christmas trade, and sonic English firms have already sufficient orders to keep their time fully occupied until the end of the present year. 1 lie position appears to bp that glassware articles are available in the long run, but owing to the congestion at Home there is sometimes considerable delay in executing orders. The chief reason undoubtedly is the scarcity of labour in the glassware and earthenware trade. Many of the skilled mechanics have joined the colours, and this is a very serious factor in lessening the output. Rut machinery is doing much to take the place of work by hand. Especially is this the ease in regard to earthenware. Cups, for example, were formerly largely made on what was known as'the spinning ''jinny," and later 011 moulds. Specialists were required for the work, and men who could make the cups would sometimes know notlijng about the handles. Other men would be specialists in making saucers, and there was recently employed in a warehouse in this city (said the informant) an artisan who was a saucer-maker, whose father before him was a saucer-maker, and whose- father before him was a saucer maker. The latest device, however, is likely to revolutionise the handmaking process. It consists of a vat which holds iitjuid chine. and underneath which are fifty moulds for cuus. The machine makes fifty moulds for cups, and or.e man can attend to eight vats at ouce.

It is not generally known that glassware goods, such ns tumblers, sugar basins, pud kindred articles, are noncoming forward from Holland. This is a now development since the Avar, and the point arises, as to whether it i; not possible that the Germanmanufactured article is findinpc its way across the Dutch frontier. All goods cleared froui Dutch ports for British Dominions, however, have to he accompanied by a' certificate from the British Consul at the port at which they are shipped, certifying that they are made in Holland. - Without cliis certificate the goods will not pass the Customs authorities in New Zealand.

Japan is another very keen competitor in the glassware trade, and her exports in this line to New Zealand are increasing in leaps and bounds. 'In fact, there is hardly a manufactured article that Japan isnot turning out at the present time, and she makes no secret'of the fact that she is endeavouring to get a strong hold of the'world's markets, especially those that -were formerly flooded with German goods. During the last week or so there have arrived in Wellington goods that prior to the war Japan had not attempted to manufacture. These include ironmongery and such implements as garden tools. -which arc evidently intended to he a " replica of the American-made article. Other Roods just arrived arc locks, shelf brackets, sasli rollers, hasps, and staples. Leather purses- (all grades and varieties), scents,; and'soaps, lead pencils, ink erasers, and stationery ofof all kinds, fountain . pens, surgical and rubber goods, such as hot-water bottles, ljarhers' instruments, including haircutters, vacuum flasks, Panama hats, basketware and suit-cases* aro only a few of the Japanese lines, to recently find their way on to the Wellington market. In brushware the Japanese have made great strides, and they are now going in for the better quality article.