PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18710, 16 May 1924, Page 7

PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY.

HANDICAPS IN SAMOA.

The possibility of resuming the pineapple canning industry in Samoa has been investigated by Mr. W. Stevenson, jun., of Irvine, Stevenson's St. George Company, Ltd., which recently opened a. new factory in Auckland. Mr. Stevenson arrived by the Tofua yesterday. The industry was started by the Germans in Samoa, but it was discontinued when the war commenced. The factory has been idle ever since. v

' The Samoan authorities gave Mr. Stevenson ©very opportunity to inquire into the economic prospects for the industry. He discovered many handicaps. For instance, the climate would prevent most people staying any length of time. In the Government service the usual term was three years. There was also the fact that the ground was so very strong that all cultivation had to be done by hand. Although labour was cheap in Samoa, it was cheaper in other countries. In Suva, Fiji, said Mr. Stevenson, a company had been formed for canning pineapples. The company had had a set-back, but Fiji nevertheless seemed much more suitable for growing pineapples than Samoa,. Mr. Stevenson was more impressed with the possibilities of copra-growing, combined with cattle-raising, in Samoa, rather than cultivating pineapples.

THE WORLD'S HIDE MARKET.

GENERAL WEAKNESS IN PRICES.

There appears to be a general weakness in the hide and leather markets throughout the world at present. This ißh particularly noticeable in the United States, which is the largest leather manufacturing country. The losses of some of the sole leather manufacturers, as disclosed in recent balance-sheets, > are extremely heavy. The National Leather Company, the largest of its kind in America, recently published a statement of operations in 1923, showing a net loss of 8,700,000 dollars. It would appear that other concerns trading , in hides and leather have encountered similar troubles. These losses apply not only to the 'tanneries working in hides but ako to those concerned with calf skins. At the end of March 450,000 native oxhides available for Bale were being held for 13$ cents, per lb, but which could not be disposed of at this figure. Cowhides were being offered at from 8 to Si cents per lb. This description of hide, however, is in heavy accumulation and. is very burdensome to holders. Argentine ox-hides were principally finding their way to Europe and- were selling at 141 to 151 cents per lb. c. and f. at European ports. However, since these prices were paid in Europe that market has shown a distinct weakness and the prices now being offered are more in line with values ruling in the United States. The Australian market, in which values have been well maintained for heavy hides during recent months, now shows a distinct weakness for that line; while light are changing hands on the basis of the European values. The Queensland meat works have commenced killing operations for the season and a much larger number of cattle will He put through this year as- compared with last. Reports just received indicate that [large pardele of Queensland meat works hides are being offered, forward, without sales being made, as Australian tanners are holding off in anticipation of still lower prices. .As the United States, European and Australian are the chief markets for New Zenland's _ exportable surplus of hides and calf-skins, it would appear as if a reaction in prices is on the point of commencing in this country, as prices being paid recently have been well in advance of the values now ruling.

NEW FIJI COMPANY. • [from our own correspondent.] , SUVA, May 8. It is announced that Mr. Henry Palmer, manager of the Fiji Trading Company ot Levuka, has been instrumental in forming a new company to bo called the Fiji Trading Co., Ltd., registered in Suva, with a capital 'of £50,000. It is the intention of the company to trade within, the group and also to foster the banana industry and thereby mako it possible for New Zealand steamers Jo call monthly at Levuka. Mr. Palmer say* he found many people in New Zealand willing to support the new venture.

PROPERTY SAXES. Samuel Vail© and Sons, Ltd., will sell by public auction at their rooms, S3, Queen Street, at 2 p.m. to-day, the following properties:—House of five rooms, situated at No. 14, Firth Road. Grey Lynn; four sections in tho Edenholm Estate, one fronting Mount Eden Road and three Peary Road; also four properties at the request of the mortgagees, under conduct of tho Registrar of the Court, and comprising house in Ruawaf Road, Penrose; house at No. 47, Virginia Avenue, Eden Terrace; farm of 28} sores, Pukekohe East; and bungalow of six rooms, on corner Great South Road and, Cori'n Avenue, Manurewa. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., will offer for sale by miction at their land salerooms. Lower Albert Street, to-day, at 2.80 p.m.. under conduct of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, at the request of the mortgagee property of 111 acres, about four miles from Mercer railway station, partly in grass, no buildings.