STILL A CHANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 53, 31 August 1926, Page 8

STILL A CHANCE

DEMAND FOR KAURI GUM

RIVAL PREPARATIONS.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to the "Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day. A good deal has been said lately of the dwindling market for kauri gum, and reference has been made to the use of other gums and gum substitutes in the preparation -of varnishes and linoleums. In spite of what has been stated, however, the success of these cheaper gums has not as yet^been definitely demonstrated, and the chance remains that kauri gum will return into favour, especially if the owners are prepared to take a lower price.

Large quantities, estimated to be worth £200,000, are still held in Auckland because they were acquired when high prices wore ruling, and the owners refuse to dispose of them at a loss. Many suggestions have been made for the reorganisation of the industry to enable it to meet the new forms of competition and withstand the harmful effects produced by the fall in prices. Much is expected of the Kauri Gum Industry Control Act which was to have come into operation in April, but has got no furttfer because of the difficulties which have ariaen in connection with the form of election of members to the board. It is fully recognised by those engaged in the industry that the fiold for exploitation is strictly limited. Most of the best fields have already been worked out, and a recourse has been made to the poorer areas which were despised but a few

years ago. Like the coalmining industry it cannot last for ever, and at the present late of consumption it is estimated that 100 or 200 years will see the last of the gum as a factor in the export trade of the country. That the end has not been reached before is due only to the introduction of the washing process which enlarged the, source of suppiy-