THE PRICE OF BUILDING MATERIALS.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 322, 10 January 1907, Page 5

THE PRICE OF BUILDING MATERIALS.

ALL ROUND ADVANCES. “ Yes, there has certainly been an all-round advance of 10 per cent, m the price of building materials. The increase in some lines has, of course been much more marked, but, generally speaking, 10 per cent, is a fair approximation.” This remark was made by the head of a big wholesale house to a Wellington Post reporter. In twelve months, he said, sheet-lead has advanced well over 80 per cent., the rise in the price of copper has been phenomenal during recent years, owing to the enormous demand for electric cables and electrical appliances of all kinds in which copper is used. The demand has outrun the supply, with the consequence that prices have gone soaring upwards. Two years ago copper was selling at £SB per ton. In October, 1905, it went to £7O 12s 6d, and this week’s cablegram gives the price at £lO/ 10s. ‘Tin has also advanced rapidly. Lead has-moved upwards in the past two years from £l2 5s to £l9 10s. Antimony has actually risen from £26 to £lO5 in two years. Similarly iron has risen,in price, bub not to the same as tin and copper.

In inquiring elsewhere about the price of other building materials, the reporter was informed that scrim, for instance, is to be advanced 25 per cent. Wallpaper is on the up grade in New Zealand. It is stated that the English manufacture is ousting the German article, save in the case of a few lines, which the British manufacturers do not trouble about. “ Generally speaking, the Englishmen are beating the Germans,” was the way in which the head of the leading Wellington firm put the case. Glass, on account of the strikes at Home, experienced a very big rise at one time during the year. Prices have probably risen 5 per cent., and there are indications that further advances will be recorded shortly. Even picture frames have advanced 15 per cent. The ambitious young man who dreams of setting up a household on his own account will, apparently, need to remodel his estimates.