CHEMICALS AND DYES

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14536, 7 December 1920, Page 8

CHEMICALS AND DYES

DOWNWARD TREND OF PRICES. (Prom a Correspondent.) LONDON, October 14. Intermediates have fallen very heavilv in prices in the United States, and the dye market is quiet with noticeably lower quotations for the commoner dves. Something of the same movement is' apparent in our markets. The principal consumers arc usins less and are unwilling to enter into contracts. On the other hand, the chemical trade is seriously affected by the increased railway charges, and the increased price of petrol has had its natural effect on the cost of motor transport. The address of the chairman of the Calico Printers' Association is.always looked forward to with great interest by colour consumers. No one is in a better position to report upon the progress of the British industry. Mr Lennox B. Lee was able to acknowledge some progress in British dyestuff manufacture, but this encouraging statement was qualified. The situation as regards the present supply of essential dyestuffs is still perplexing.' Still, the chairman of the Calico Printers' Association is able to testify that in spite of the difficulties of the dyemakers there is a better supply of the commoner dyes, and that limited quantities of some of the finer and more specialised colours have been put on the market. In regard to the expressed intention of the Government to reintroduce legislation based on the Imports and Exports Regulation Bill, Mr Lee is inclined to favour a wellguarded system of restricting the importation of license. He insisted that the Licensing Committee must consist of practical men with, technical knowledge. He urged that the period over which the system of licensing shall extend must be definitely limited, and at the close it shall automatically cease i in such a way that it will be impossible to reimpose it without fresh legislation. It is noticeable that a recent report cf the Berlin Chamber of Commerce makes special reference to the progress of the American dyestuff industry. England, in this connection, is stated to be unwilling to resume her former business relations, but a doubt is expressed as to whether America is Tin' a shut market henceforth in view of the strides that synthetical chemical manufacture is making. As to the i position of German dyemakers, it is claimed to he favourable, with the very important reservation that there is i shortage of raw material and fuel. Moreover thore are labour difficulties, and the effect of shorter hours is a greatly decreased production.