THE LEATHER POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 24, 28 July 1927, Page 14

THE LEATHER POSITION

In viev,- of the recent advances in the price of leather, which have been brought about by the demand for hides emanating from America, a report on the position in Canada recently received is of interest. It .is stated that the price of hides grown on the American Continent advanced in the last year from 25 to 40 per cent. This has caused tanners and manufacturers in Canada.and in the United States of America to' ■warn the general public that the price of footwear will advance in the ensuing season. Following over-production of leather and inflation in 1919, the report states, there was a slow readjustment uncompany, and to transact the business of absorbed. When this stage had been reached, at the beginning of 1927, the supply of hides coming into the market fell much below normal, and consequently the price advanced, and shows little likelihood of declining, as the quantity of cattle being killed has decreased. Stocks ot' leather in the hands of packers and tanners are said to be about 20 per cent, less than 'they were at the corresponding period of last year. The demand for leather is heavy, and in both Canada and the United States there has been an increase this year in the number of shoes manufactured. It is x-eported that two of the largest tanning ■ shoe manufacturers in the United States last month advanced the price of all classes of shoes, showing that they realised that an advance in leather prices would follow the shortage in raw material.