HIDE PRICES HIGHER

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14769, 7 October 1921, Page 7

HIDE PRICES HIGHER

AUSTRALIANS BUYING. TO FORESTALL IMPORT TAX. Alarkcd increase in the' rliics obtained for tildes at auction is reported from various parts of the Dominion, (lie latest, a sensational advance of about 75 per cent, having taken place in Christchurch. The increased values arc attributed lo extensive operations of Australian buyers, who, it is stated locally, arc buying freely in anticipation of an import tax on bides which the Queensland Government is advocating to Hie Federal Parliament. Queensland, it is stated, is anxious for (he lax to bo imposed on hides going into the Commonwealth, because it finds that with its hides lick-mark-ed it is difficult lo dispose of them willi I lie New Zealand hide, which is free from the defect, offering. The New Zealand hide is also superior in substance and thickness to Hie Queensland hide, the cooler Now Zealand climate accounting for the difference. The demand fop New Zealand hides is that keen in Melbourne that at the sales they are kept separate from other tiidcs and sold as New Zealand hides. It is stated that Hie Australian buyers wore “getting in” early.— doing a bit of a gamble. With the prospects of Hie tax being imposed they could afford in the meantime lo pay a little more for the-hides. There were ample supplies, more than required for Dominion purposes, consequently the country would not suffer later as a result of the shies. The Auckland market has shared to some extent in Hie increased prices, local rates having advanced during the last month from 4id to 0A cl per lb through the Australian buyers operating at tile last two sales conducted in the city. The Christchurch message docs not slate the price at present obtaining, but mentions a sensational rise of 75 per cent, and more in some instances, but docs not review Hie prices realised. It stales, however, that Hie best demand was for hides of 551 b weight and upward, and that the average for these ran from 3d In 4d per it). Taking an average advance of, say, 31d per ih. it is evident that Hie price obtained for the class of hide mentioned was about 8d per lb.