CHEMISTS' GOODS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 784, 6 April 1910, Page 9

CHEMISTS' GOODS.

SUBSTANTIAL RISE IN PRICES,

THE.LINES AFFECTED. From a variety- of causes the prices of several of .the leading lines in-phar-maceutical goods have risen during the past few months, and, according to a local' authority, the public may expect that rise to be.reflected in the retail price of certain goods from now forward. It is remarkable that so many lines have become affected at the same time, but- the fact remains that such is the case.

Rubber is. used extensively-in a wide variety of chemists' wares, and all those who-keep in touch with the current news of the day know the' startling rises which have- taken place in that commodity during the past year. The result is now being, reflected in the London price of articles in which rubber is used more or less. Glycerine, which at this "timo last year was being sold at 7d. J per lb.-in London,, is now quoted at Is..per lb., and the reason given, is the. increasing demand for the product in the manufacture of explosives,' combined-with'the probable increase in price.; that the -.oil trusts would ,imposeV , The. .cod ;.liyer oil market'.is described as "uneasy." It' appears that the livers, of the cod caught last season.were poor, consequent, it, is said,on a scarcity, of, food. Be that as it may, it.took 400 livers last season to produce the same quantity of oil that 250 produce in normal seasons/ This must;mean an increase in the. retail price of the new season's oil. '

■ The general, uplift even; extends to 'drugs.. '.Morphia, which was selling in Wellington •at -,75., per ounce at this time last year, is now 13s. per ounce, pantonine, a drug used a good deal in the composition of curative powders, was selling in London last year at 18s. per ounce. The present-day price was £2. Olive oil and the whole range of citrus products went up in price immediately after' the great" earthquakes at Messina, and are still selling at. the advanced price. Bromides, too, have advanced from 4d. to_6d.'*per lb., consequent 'upon the action of a combine of manufacturers,.and iodide of potash has. also' been' advanced in price. Such is the.state of the world's markets that it is very.probable-that, even the price of common household soap will go up .shortly, advices-haying been received to that, effect by agents of manufacturers in 'Wellington. -~