HARDWARE MARKET

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 40

HARDWARE MARKET

DELIVERIES SLOW IN ARRIVING. The following report concerning- buildingmaterials, hardware lines, eto.„ should prove of interest at the present time when many people are anxiously awaiting some indication that a. fall v in prices is likely so as to enable them to maice .a. long-delayed start in the construction of proposed new buildings:— BUILDING MATERIAL.

Latest advices from both England and America indicate that the actual f.o.b. prices are firming slightly. The c.i.f. quotations' are slightly less than they were a few months ago, but this is accounted for by the reduction of freights. Wo now find that we Have to pay certain charges much in excess of those which were in. vogue in pre-war days. For instance, in connection with roofing iron, the makers now make a charge of from 50s to 70s per ton for merely putting the iron into skeleton cases. If the crates are to be felted there is an extra charge of about 20s per ton.

Deliveries from both America and England are very slow indeed, notwithstanding: the fact that the sellers anticipate makingprompt shipment when they offer the goods for sale. Taken all round the position today is far from satisfactory because it is impossible for New Zealand merchants to arrive at exact landed costs. Roofing iron is being quoted to-day for immediate delivery throughout New Zealand at prices ranging from £65 to £75 per' ton. To arrive at an early date it it being quoted from £6O to £7O, and it will probably be from three to four months before the iron will be available at, say,. £55 per ton. In sundry lines, such as locks, hinges, and brass foundry prices have advanced recently very considerably, and as, generally speaking, these goods take up very little measurement or weight, the reduction in freights will make only a small decrease on their selling value in New Zealand. Prices of sundry lines are expected to remain high for some considerable time unless anything unforeseen happens and labour troubles at Home are settled quickly. FENCING. MATERIAL. These show a slight decrease in pries from America, but a slight increase in England. The latter increase wall no douty be accounted for by labour troubles. Ship. ments are coming to hand very slowly, ancj merchants "are still waiting for certain lines which were ordered oyer 18 months ago. Great' variations in price can be expectec| for from three to six months, because goodj coming to hand are in execution of pur> chases made at widely different dates. 11l is not expected that prices will reaoh tt level for some considerable / time.