TIN CONSUMPTION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 104, 27 January 1938, Page 12

TIN CONSUMPTION

Increase Of 21,000 Tons FIGURES FOR LAST YEAR An increase of 21,000 touts, ur 134 per cent., was shown in the world consumption of tin for the year ended October, according to statistics of the International Tin Research and Development Council. France was the only large consumer to register a decrease, which amounted to 7.6 per cent. In the United States tin consumption increased by nearly 15,000 tons, or 201 per cent., and other important advances occurred in the United Kingdom, about 15 per eent.; Russia and Germany, each about 32 per cent.; Japan, 23 per cent.; and Canada, 17 per cent.. The apparent consumption ot the principal countries is given in the following

* I ncrense. fDecrease. World production of tinplate for the same period increased by 14.7 per cent, from 3,581,000 tons to 4,106,000 tons. Exports of tinplate from the United Kingdom, the United States, and from Germany showed considerable increases, while Italy is now exporting at the rate of 21,500 tons a year, against 8323 tons in 1936 and 30,586 tons in 1935. World production of tin in October, 1937, is given as 16,478 tons, against 19,249 tons in September. World consumption was 16,476 tons in October, against 14,439 tons in September. Consumption ■in the United Kingdom in* creased from 1923 tons in October to 2GOO tons in November, and m Holland there was an increase from 90 tons to 153 tons. Switzerland took 102 tons in November, against 159 tons in October, and 71 tons in September. RUBBER QUOTA Cut To 60 Per Cent. London, January 25. The International Rubber Regulation Committee has fulfilled the market’s best expectations, and cut the quota for the second quarter of 1938 to 60 per cent, of the basic quota. The market has long considered that a drastic cut was essential in view of. the mounting total of world stocks and the unsatisfactory level of prices. It is believed that a limit of 60 per cent, of the quota will not mean a dangerous rise in prices, but should definitely help to maintain rubber at a remunerative level.

The 'cutting of the rubber, quota to CO per cent, represents a reduction of 30 per cent., the quota being 70 per cent, for the first six months of last year, 8o per cent, for the third quarter, and 90 per cent, for the last quarter of 1937 and the first quarter of 1938. The international Rubber Regulation Committee was set up at the end of April, 1934, and its first duty was to co-ordi-nate the statistics of output, consumption, and stocks. The committee issues a monthly bulletin which forms the basis of decisions controlling the output from plantations. When it was constituted the committee declared its intention to reduce the world stocks to a reasonable quantity and to maintain the price as far as possible to afford a reasonable profit to efficientlymanaged plantations. Each year the likely demand, together with the stocks in hand, is taken into account, and the percentage of the basic quota to be released during each quarter is fixed. Also, to be taken into consideration are the likely unregulated supplies from Africa, South America, and other countries not under the scope of the International Committee. Stocks Increased. Commenting on the committee's decision last September to leave the quota at 90 per cent for the first quarter of this year, ‘‘The Times” said: ‘‘The committee’s efforts to increase stocks by a sharp . increase in the quota have proved successful' iu spite of the doubts expressed in some quarters earlier in the year of the ability of the producing countries to increase their output to the necessary exdent. Rubber has fallen back to a price which no longer threatens to interfere with consumption, but at the same time gives a satisfactory margin of profit to producers having regard to the larger output now permitted. Therefore there was little reason to look for a change, though some producing authorities consider it possible that, in view of the prevailing uncertainties regarding the course of American consumption and the increase of 36,750 tons in the basic quota next year, the next change in the quota may be downward. “The latest rubber statistics available show that rubber stocks outside the regulated areas and afloat rose from the low point of 374.406 tons reached last May to 396,446 tons in August, while shipments from producing countries for the first seven months of the present year amounted to 628,958 tons, as against 475,025 for the corresponding period of last year.” LONDON WOOL SALES Active Competition Continues By Telegraph.—Press. Assn.—Copyrigin. London, J anuary 25. At the wool sales 8848 bales were offered, including 2334 from New Zealand, and 7161 bales were sold. A good selection, chiefly of merinos, met active competition, the Home trade securing the bulk of the offering. Withdrawals chiefly concerned, inferior sorts. New Zealand greasy crossbred, “Motoutaraia," sold at lOld. average and 12jd. highest. Antwerp Wool Futures z By Telegraph.—Press Antwerp, January 25. Wool futures are quiet and steady. Quotations: March, 23J1T.; May, 23 5-Bd.: July, 234 d. The quotations on January 18 were:— March, 24-jd.; May, 24d.; July, 24d. The prices are for 64’ s tops, dry combed. AUCTION DIARY TO-DAY. 59 Manners Street. 10.30 a.m.—Machinery, Plant, Furniture, and Fittings of the “Civic Lounge” (Ramsey Wilson, Ltd.) Marton Racecourse, 1.1 a.m.— Marton Annual Ram Fair. Eketahuna Sale. 11.30 a.m.—2500 Sheep Upper Hutt Stock Sale, 1 p.m.—900 Sheen, Etc. (Dalgety and Co., Ltd.). 8 Willeston Street, 1 p.in.—Household Furniture, etc. (Johnston and Co.). 110 Lambton Quay, 2 p.m.—Household Furniture, etc. (Silverstone and Co.) TO-MORROW. Carterton Sale, 11.30 a.m.—Mixed Stock. SATURDAY. Malone Road, Lower Hutt, 10 a.m.—Sale of Mixed Stock (H. Ernest Leighton). Tennyson Street. Napier, 11.30 a.m.—Sale of “Glengarrle" Station Property (McGlasatan's, Ltd.). Chapel Street, Masterton, 1.30 p.m.—Sale ot Timber and Iron, etc. (J. Kerslako and Co.).

table: — Year ended Oct Rise 1937. 1930. or fall Long tons. p.c. United States. . . 86,057 71,-105 *20.5 United Kingdom 24,723 21,-512 *14.9 * i . 12,200 9,228 *32.2 Germany France •••••• . 11,02.7 9.071 8,357 9,S13 *31.9 *7.6 Japan 8,072 6,571 «r>o Other countries . 29,378 32,179 T8.7 Total . 180,528 159,065 *13.5