CHEMICAL GOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5883, 1 April 1915, Page 9

CHEMICAL GOODS.

SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES 1 ,

EFFECT OF THE WAR

Tee action of the War Office in commandeering the output of British factorien is already having its effect upon New Zealand. 'this, coupled with the delay in shipping and the elimination of Germany as a source of supply,, means that tanners and freezing companies may be adversely affected by a shortage in the supply oif their chemical requirements. An Auckland leather merchant raid yesterday that there was a distinct shortage) of sulphide of £odium--which was used in the removal of hair from hides — tho bulk of the supply came from Germany, before the war broke out. So far as ha knew, there was only one firm in England [ manufacturing the article, and that made tlio question of supply a difficult one. Tho price before the war was £8 per ton, but it had sinco risen to £14 and £15. Tho merchant had enough for immodiato requirements, but he had given large orders to guard against future needs. It was easy to give orders, but he would not bo satisfied until ho knew his goods had been actually shipped. The English firm he had referred to had increased its manufacturing . plant, but was not yet supplying all requirements. The head of another firm thought the rush of orders in England consequent upon the isolation of Germany had largely contributed to the present shortage. „ Much of the delay, in 'his opinion, 'was caused by lack of shipping facilities. He understood that the article could not be purchased anywhere in New Zealand or Australia. Tho. cost, ho eaid, had risen to £13 per ton. If the shortage became acute it was possible that a substitute could be used, but people in the trado would prefer to use the manufactured article. A complete stoppage of supplies ■would greatly reduce the local output and the firms would have to operate on a small ecale.

Chloride of calcium is of importance as a refrigerating agent, and if the supplywere cut off the process of refrigeration would bo seriously inconvenienced. So far as could be ascertained, the local freezing companies had good supplies on hand.

According to a soap manufacturer thoro is a short igo in the constituents of soap and prices have gone up to an extremely high degree. Tallow fell in price beforo the war, but had recovered and the indications seemed to point to dearer prices than formerly. Caustic soda had increased in price by £2 5s per ton and there had been increases in the cost of oils, etc. Ho recently landed a ton of caustic postash, which is required in the manufacture oil soft soap, at £2-1. Another manufacturer offered him £60 for it. He complained of the uncertainty of getting supplies, oiders being subject to confirmation, but said he did not think that the Dominion would experience a shortage of soap. Iho extra price was being borne entirely by the manufacturers and would not bo passed on to the public. . , The United Alkali Company, Limited, has advised its Auckland agent that owing to shortage of labour the colliery owners could not guarantee tho fulfilment of their coal contracts, and the company itself was serious hindered by labous shortage and difficulties in obtaining freight for necessary raw materials. At. the same time, it was heavily engaged on urgent work for the War Office. Thfi companv indicated that delay was inevitable on" orders from tho Dominions genev-

allv. the articles referred to are acetic, hydrochloric, and sulphuric acid, arsenic, bleaching powder, carbide of calcium,?chlorate of potash, chlorate of soda,* , cvanide, caustic and chlorate of potash, 1 caustic soda, soda bicarbonate, sodium sulphide, sulphate of copper, chloride. of ; , calcium, etc. . . , , •. • * The stocks in the Dominion of all tho, above lines are extremely lieht Tho articles cannot be manufactured here be- .■» cause none of the raw material is available. New Zealand depends for. most of its supplies on the United Kingdom. •, The Auckland agent has pointed out to " his principals in a letter written , •• : ;■< ds>.v that they should. advise the War - Office that Now Zealand manufacturers •, had an equal right to the manufactures • to earn - on operations essential to tho|&||| conduct of the war. New Zealand, was ; supplying . military requirements in. lea' ther, 'soap, and food supplies, ; ■ <!■' V/l B %. 'r A 1 : ' V A