ANOTHER RISE IN PAPER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 159, 28 March 1916, Page 4

ANOTHER RISE IN PAPER.

Further Advance Likely.

Paper prices this week have advanced by ]d and Id per lb over those rates which came into force in the first week in December last (says the Sydney " Morning Herald " of 4th inst). The trade has been excited over the increases, and there has been free buying, because of the fear that prices will advance still farther. The reports concerning the restriction of paper imports into Eagland and the restriction of wood pulp exports from Scandinavia, apparently started the excitement. The cables received from private sources all suggest a tight market. One states : " Sailings from Scandinavia are irregular, also veiy limited. Cargo awaiting shipment is hugely in excess of available tonnage." Another cable is to the effect, " Can promise nothing. Be prepared for great delays. New prohibition export wood pulp is likely to increase prices generally." From New York it is cabled, " Railways will not carry, so cannot ship at any price. Steamers now ask 40 to 50 dollars (eight guineas to ten guineas at an exchange of 475 dollars) measurement." London cables, " Cannot quote, panicuy conditions prevail." What prices to-day mean may be judged from these two instances. White printing before the war was ljd per lb, in December it was 2£d, now it is 3d. Again, art paper before the war was 4d per lb, in December it had advanced to 5f d, now it is 6|d. Another art paper, which before the war cost 4Jd now costs 7}d. Printiag paper, which most of the country newspapers use, quad crown 42, cost formerly 7s per ream. Now the cost is lis an increase of mare than 50 per cent. Again, if we compare prices of MF printing, we find that formerly it was lis 3d, now it is 25s 7.1 d per ream. Double printing paper, coloured, cost 8s 6d, now it is listed at 18s 4£d. Coming to cards, we find that while thin ivory thirds, with square corners, were 2s 8d per 1000 in December 1914, they are now 3s 2d.