COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 17037, 7 May 1919, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

HIDES AND POTATOES: THE QUESTION OF EXPORT. A Press Association message from Palmerston North states that a letter has been received by the Farmers' Union from the Minister of Agriculture stating that the- embargo on the export of hides has been partially released. Regarding potatoes, the Minister stated that a census taken throughout the Dominion showed that there did not appear a likelihood oi there being sufficient potatoes this year to allow of any export from New Zealand. Last year, although a considerable quantity was imported from Australia, the shortage towards the end of the season became acute, and until the digging for this season is completed he was unable to recommend Cabinet to allow the export of potatoes. The matter would be reconsidered at a later date. In answer to a question as to the operation of the flour subsidy scheme to maintain the present price of bread, the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald !president of the Board of Trade) stated at Wellington yesterday that millers were now entitled to receive a subsidy according to the regulations. Where they made a claim for it a thorough investigation was made and a decision given accordingly. The manufacture of "engahth'' has been undertaken recently in England by three ! companies. This is the same substance as the composition known as " galaith " in Germany, which is an excellent substitute for celluloid, although it cannot be used tor verv thin articles. It is produced in rods, tubes, and sheets, and in 60 different colors, and is used for a great variety of ;slides, such as buttons, combs, beads, carriage and motor fittings, etc. The works and business of the American j Bosch Co., at Springfield, Mass, which since May last have been in the hands of the U.S.* Alien Property Custodian, were recently put up for sale by auction. There I were five bidders for the property, which : was eventually secured, for the sum of ! £830,900 by Mr H. C. Griffiths, of New , York. ■ The' purchaser, who is reported to i have bought entirely on his own account, ! is stated to have made a good bargain, a i conservative and unofficial estimate of the | value of the concern and its assets being one million sterling. The announcement by the British Government that after March an extensive list of articles will be denied importation except by special license has aroused some apprehension on the part of the American producers affected. While it is obvious to those familiar with the lengths to which the United Kingdom went in converting its productive organisation' to war work that some artificial arrangement is necessary if : British industry is to get back to a normal basis within a reasonable time, there are not wanting those who profess to see in this action a determination to handicap ; American trade and manufactures. The i United States Senate has adopted a resolution calling upon the State Department j for information in regard to the situation, and a reduction in shipping rates from t Gulf ports to Pacific ports is in seme quarters interpreted as a retaliatory measure. On the other hand, there are indications that the United States Slipping Board and the British shipowners are cooperating in getting rates down to a basis that will permit competition,.