THE LEATHER TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5163, 2 January 1904, Page 9

THE LEATHER TRADE

In a recent article tho '-British Trade ■Review” has an interesting arlic.o on New Zealand v. liußlish sheep pelts, m which it is shown that the light learlie-r tradß is so very bad in the Old Country that manufacturers cannot produce at a profit, or indeed without considerable loss, when using tho British shins. The “Review” says: —Under suck trying conditions it is not surprising to hear on all sides of old-i-stab’isf.cd firms preferring cither to dost down for a th' lo ,, ol ' to go ont of the trade altogether with the money they havo netted in more favourable times. Those who elect to remain and "see the thing through” have been obliged to retrench in all possible ways, a'so to cast about for a more economical supply of Ihe raw material. New Zealand mutton cannot possibly be beaacn, and tho skin and wool will also prove of very superior quality as a natural consequence. They are cheaper than the British pelts, ami when ready for the tanner aro superior quality to British, it does not appear hero that the New Zealand pastbralist comes into destructive rivalry with tbo British farmer. ihe latter evidently bns so a . that ho is able to get a price for Ins skins which to the manufacturer of light leather is prohibitive. To the latter the New Zealand sheep skin is a. veritable saviour. But as it arrives in Great Britain the New Zealand article is nor one that every manufacturer can deal with. To preserve the skin on a long and riving voyage a certain pickle has to bo used which requires n special pro“i s to get rid of. Apart from this great difficulty of working the pelts, a matter which can. of course, be easily surmomvt-c-d by anyone seeking the necessary technical ad vice, the goods are of ayty superior quality, far superior to British. Prime Nen* Zealand skins cost against 25s per dozen for tho British, and tho latter are likely to advance in price. But them is another favourable point to bo considered, and that is the excellent demand which has been and still is being experienced for stout, good gloving leather, such as can always be obtained from New Zea’and lamb pelts. For a long time tho supply of British lamb pelts suitable for this purpose has been utterly inadequate, and lias brought very high rates indeed. It therefore seems reasonable to assume that ns the many advantages possessed by colonial sheep and lamb pelts become more widely known and appreciated—as they imdouhted’v are month by month—the demand will proportionately increase, and with it the value, until the trade with New Zealand in these particular goods will eclipse all previous records, and, what is more important, be established on a sound commercial basis, to the mutual benefit of the countries interested therein.