SHORTAGE OF TIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2796, 14 June 1916, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF TIN

Stocks of tin are running low in New Zealand. . Mr. A. T. Harvey, .of Auckland, informed the !'N«w Zealand Herald" that practically no shipments of tin were being made just now. Many merchants had been relying upon New York since .the partial stoppage of shipments from .England, but even that supply was now entirely cut off. The English firms had stopped taking orders altogether, and had considerably cut down thoso already received. The same thing applied'to other metals, Mr. Harvey said; Braes was completely cut out, and orders given as far*, back .as ten-months would never be exu-' cuted. It was the samo with copper. Merchants were taking, their chance of re-ceiving-supplies. He mentioned that tin plates r were 36) per cent, higher in cost now than before the war. Auckland firms are feeling the pinch consequent upon tho shortago of shipments of tin. One merchant stated that tho last consign-ment-received from New York was at a. fabulous price, being 50s. per box at Sydney. Before the war tho price was Us. 10d. All tho firms agreed that their only hope was in shipments from New York— when they could be secured.