WORLD'S LEAD MARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19626, 3 May 1927, Page 7

WORLD'S LEAD MARKET.

OUTPUT AND PROSPECTS. INCREASE IN GERMANY. The danger of an actual famine in lead, wlich at times became almost acute in 1925, was absent in 1926, when a certain safety margin of stocks was in existence throughout. The actual volume of these stocks, however, represented only a fewweeks' reserve, says the annual metal report of Messrs. Brandeis, Goldschmidt and Co., London. In the United Statas, in February, stocks only amounted to 8239 tons, but rose to 21.282 tons by the end of November. There was also at the end of the year a fair stock in London, -where invisible stocks wers estimated at 10,000 tons. No fresh discoveries of ore deposits of any. consequence were made, but progress was made in tlie development of the Mount Isa fields. Actual production there, however, is not likely to become a factor of importance for a long time yet. Burma Corporation mines suffered from a serious fire, but their output is now proreeding normally. It is feared that if the downward movement in the price if silver continues production in cases where ore contains that metal may decrease. Present unsettled conditions in Mexico may also lead to a lessening of output there.' A rather more plentiful supply of ores has stimulated production of certain smelters in Germany, where total output, .t is estimated, rose from 68,000 tons in 1925 to 75.000 tens in 1526. The growth of the smelting industry in *h» United States continues without interruption. From the point of view of consumption, the year manifested little change from the previous year, although some signs >f easing off. due to condition in the building trade, were noticeable in the last few months. The activity of building operations in Great Britain, in evidence ever since the war, tended to ease off. Tn other countries, including Germane, however, there is still much to he done. The low price of copper has stimulated the use of copper and brass tabes in place of lead piping, hut this has not greatly affected the position.