THE RISE IN PRICES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2132, 15 July 1907, Page 4

THE RISE IN PRICES.

Haw materials of various kinds continue to rise in price in England. The sonsational advances in the price of copper, tin, and other metals have now been followed by almost equally remarkable increases in the cost of linen, cotton, woollen goods, and flour. 'The juice of wheat rose by no less than 3s 6d a sack in the first fortnight in May. The riso did not conic unexpected. In the spring of the year reports and rumors of crop failures in the wheat-growing centres of the world aro frequently rife, and siieculators on various exchanges take advantage of them in the usual manner, fortunately facts are too strong for “bull” operators in the wheat markets, and prices '■ uicklv find their level. The Express says it is too early yet to tell whether tlic year’s wheat yield will bo equal to the demand. Reports from nada Kansas, India, and Russia are somewhat unfavorable, but further information may modify them. The rise in the price of linen, like the yield of rubber, is not unlimited, and the steady increasing demands—for which America is largely responsible —have outrun the supply. The rise in the price of cotton and wool has also been groat and persistent, though not so marked as that of linen. For the present, there seems to ho absolutely no likelihood of a fall, and private buyers will have to make up their minds to pay rather more for their cotton cloth goods, or to rest content with ail inferior quality. There is no need for excessive dependence on foreign supjilies of such raw materials as cotton, and, of course, of wheat. When the public opinion of Britain i» awake and active to the pitch of forcing the Government of the day, whatever its political color mav be, to set about the systematic development of the Empire, England will be able to rely much more on her own resources, and will be less subject to increased prices in markets where she has now little or no control.