Tanner ‘On Brink’ For Materials

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 18

Tanner ‘On Brink’ For Materials

The Christchurch tanner, G. L. Bowron and Company, Ltd., employing 130 was “on the brink” for raw materials from Britain, said a senior member of the staff of the company yesterday.

If the seamen’s strike ended in a week or so, his company would get through. Between a quarter and a third of the chemicals used by his company in the treating and tanning erf leather normally came from Britain. If the quarter or third that normally came from Britain was not available, the other three-quarters or two-thirds of chemicals would be of no use. • The official said that Bowron’s could switch source of supply, but this took time. “We are in a very awkward position,” he said. "We are very loathe to switch from suppliers we have traditionally bought from in England. “But we have a staff of 130 to think about. We have to make sure we keep them in work and ourselves in work, as well as a few factories that we supply. Some shoe factories depend on us for our product.” The official said that if the seamen’s strike had not finished in the meantime, his company would make a decision next week about switching its chemical orders to another country, such as the United States or Germany. “We might be able to get, temporary supplies in Aus-i tralia. I don’t think they would have much in the way of bulk as far as we know,” he said. “They don’t manufacture many of the chemicals.”

The price of hides in New Zealand might fall, the official said.

“L’ you can’t ship untanned hides from freezing works, I

don’t know whether people overseas are going to be prepared to buy if they don’t know when they are going to 'get delivery,” he said. ’ “It could have the effect of leaving more skins on the New Zealand market than is normally the case, and they should be cheaper.”