RABBITSKIN TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 196, 20 July 1936, Page 5

RABBITSKIN TRADE.

SHIPMENT FOR AMERICA. HIGH PRICES RULING. As a result of the short supply of musquash, muskrat, and mink skins in America, and consequent high prices, there is at present a greater demand for New Zealand rabbit skins than ever before, and many manufacturing firms there which have never handled rabbits are now buying them at prices which represent profitable business in this Dominion, says the Otago Daily Times. A paiticularl.v large consignment of skins is being sent to New York on the Canadian Cruiser, which is at present loading at Dunedin, one local firm having consigned no fewer than 291 bales.

All the selling which is done here is on a basis of definite orders, and the prices to be paid are known beioio the skins leave for the overseas markets. The consignment referred to is worth approximately £65,000. and consists of something like 908,000 skins. New Zealand shippers do not sell direct to the manufacturing concerns, but to dealers, who have the skins tanned, treated and dyed, and then sell them as “benverines,” “moleines,” and “sealines” to the firms which manufacture them into furs, fur coats, and other similar products. “Lapins, then ame given to a type of sbort.jacket, are at present the vogue in America, and rabbit skins, as the name indicates, are used exclusively in those.

America entered the market for New Zealand rabbit skins in 1918, having previously bought its supplies in London. and now about 90 per cent, of the whole output is absorbed there. Op till about two years ago, the demand was practically confined to bucks, the tougher hides proving easily workable. Recently, however, docs have been used more widely, and both-classcs are readily saleable to-day. The skins shipped from Dunedin are from rabbits caught in Otago, .South Canterbury, and Southland, and this year there has been an unusually large number of trappers operating throughout the country. One firm last year sent a wav over 4,000.900 skins and has this year sent 2.600,000. The season goes on till September and then fades gradually until it reaches its close about November. The large amount of trapping being done has had its effect in the country districts, where farm labour lias been scarce. It is reported that in some districts runholders have been unable to obtain labour to carry out crutcliing operations. The unusually mild winter which has been experienced this year will probably have the effect of causing the season for full winter skins to he closed earlier than usual, with the result that in the latter stages values will fall off. The market now is considered to be as high as it is ikely to be this season, except in the case of heavier grades, which may possibly harden slightly ■ owing to the short supply which must result from the short season. It is probable, however, that other grades will be easier from now onwards. The rabbit skin industry provides seasonal employment in Dunedin for several hundred men during the season, and as this commences with the conclusion of the wool season it is found that many of those who are employed in the latter business during the summer months find work in the skin stores for the winter.