PRICE FLUCTUATIONS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2225, 11 January 1921, Page 1

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS

PROBLEM FOB .MERCHANTS

“The reports which appear ill tlie Press from time to time concerning; the reductions that are being made in the price of goods are not always reliable,'* remarked Air C. A. M ilkinson, to an Eliliam Argus vepref.enLitive. “In fact, in many instance.'. they are entirely misleading and inaccurate. There are practically as many increases taking place in manufacturers’ prices as there are decreases. For instance, the price of cement has just increased considerably, also that ‘of all brushware and English crockery. As a further instance of the misleading

character of the prices quoted in some papers, it was stated some time'ago that the price of benzine had fallen 10s per case. This was absolutely incorrect. There has been no reduction' in the price of benzine in any of the well-known brands. Big Tree benzine —counting leakage losses —is costing over 40s per case landed in Fit bam, and is being sold hero at 425. It is satisfactory to note in this connection, however, that supplies are now coming to hand more regularly than previously.

“Another thing that tends to keep prices up is (he continued difficulty merchants are experiencing in obtaining supplies. Agents notified me to-day that garden hose ordered in April, 1010, was still unprocurable; slashers ordered in September, 1018, they were still unable to-oblain delivery of: and in respect to. some carpenters' Mads ordered from the well-known iirm of Marples and Sons mi 2Slb February, I01(i, the ,'igenls were still unable to promise delivery. In the case of many other orders too iiumenm- to mention, agents report that they are unable to make any definite promise of delivery yet. and in some ensc- would not forecast the possible date nl ih--livcrv.

*‘ll is ;i!s;> difficult to do business with English and American bouses on account ot tin 1 credit restrictions and eonstantlv increasing exchange charges,"

concluded Mr Wilkin-on, “all of which tends to increase the price of commodities. I’lensc do no! think that I am trying to Roost prices, it is not to my advantage to do so: what 1 waul is low prices, small profits and a quid; turnover, i have merely been trying to point out to you the fallacy of the reports of reduet ions and impending reductions in prices."

Work is now proceeding apace oif the lirst of the workers' homes to be built by the Hltham Borough Council out of the loan of £IO,OOO obtained for this purpose. The house is being constructed‘of concrete.

The death occurred lasi week of a well-known set Her of the King Country, in the person of Mr Robert Orinsby, at the age of 08. Deceased came to New Zealand when a young man, and-marri'ed a lady of the Maniapolo tribe. He leaves a family of seven sons, all well-known settlers in the Robe I’olae. During the. Christmas season tint Scriptural’ quotation concerning peace on fourth has, as usual, been very much in evidence. It is noticeable, remarks an exchange, that no one quotes the revised -version, which reads as follows :^“Aml on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.’’

Reports from the Wanganui back country indicate that several large bash lives are in progress, and with the spell of line weather many salis/j factory burns have already been obtained. Storemen are working long hours mixing seed orders to grass the burns. Owing to lowness of,' water in I lie Wanganui River at present a difficulty is experienced in getting orders forward to settlers.