DEARER SALT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1360, 22 June 1918, Page 9

DEARER SALT.

THE LOCAL SCARCITY. A PECULIAR POSITION. Developments have occurred to the salt position, two grades—tine table and rock salts—having advanced iD price during the week. Yet as far as table salts are concerned, and which more particularly concern the householder, the reason for the increase is a curious one. The advance, it may be stated, is confined to the South Island. Owing to freight difficulties with England, California has been drawn on to supply the local markets. American supplies have recently poured into Wellington, and in consequence that city and the North Island now are well stocked. Unfortunately, a second handling is involved to supply the South, and the cost of this and the extra freight has to be borne bv the consumer here. This has caused the recent increase. A lack of supervision in shipping, however, is evidenced by the fact that Australia, where an embargo exists, is releasing some 700 tons for Wellington. The vessel is to call at Lytteltnn* but its salt consignment will not be unloaded until Wellington is reached. Most of the product will then be reshipped back for Canterbury requirements. Needless to say the consumer here will pay this unnecessary cost of handling. The most satisfactory feature is that requirements have been covered by merchants, except for a few grades, until well into next year. \Vhen these grades, which are short, have been arranged for, a flush of table salt can be expected. Ijj England large salt stocks are held, and as other goods for export are low, it is reasonable to expect that freight soon will be utilised for salt. The advance in rock salt, which brings it to 17/6 per cwt. as against a pre-war price of 4/6, was inevitable. It is in short supply and is likely to be, as other more necessary grades are required from England, where it is obtained. During the past twelve months some 700 to 800 tons onlv have arrived here, and a published statement that although there [is a cry of a tonnage shortage, a vesj sel arrived in the Dominion from Britain with a cargo of rock salt carried as ballast, is quite incorrect. Although the Australian embargo on salts is still in existence, the Federal Government is allowing export under license. This week's" quotations are:—Fine £ls and coarse £l2 10/a ton.