PRICE OF LEATHER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 8

PRICE OF LEATHER

FIVEFOLD INCREASE IN TWELVE TEARS.

"There is really no explanation, for the present unprecedented rise in the price of leather," said one of the leading boot merchants of the Dominion to a "Star” reporter on Friday. "Wo know that it has risen, and that the increase is world-wide. In fact, it is not profitable to handle goods in leather at the present time, but leather will not remain at its present figure.

“It may be that the Balkan War has given rise to a movement on behalf of the military world to lay in stocks of accoutrements, but the fact remains that the price is high, 500 per ceut. hio-her than it was twelve or thirteen years ago. It will go back, but not to the price it was then, and it is just as well for this country that it does not. Ten or twelve years ago farmers were thankful to got 2d or 2Jd per lb for the hides they grew, but now if the purchaser can get the hides for lOd per lb he has to be thankful. Tire good prices are reflected in the prosperity of the country. “The prices this year are abnormal, and the American buyers have been operating in tliis country, paying prices that frighten our follmcngers. The supply in America is short, but rather than smash their own market the fellmonvers of the States are buying in foreign markets. Personally, lam not worrying. Wo arc not pleased at the present position, but these matters proceed in cycles, and prices will fall again. The rise is unprecedented, but it will not last."