FUTURE OF TEA

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10474, 10 November 1911, Page 5

FUTURE OF TEA

CAUSE FOR ANXIETY

A Wellington wholesale house received a. cable from its principals on Wednesday, to the effect that the future of the tea market was causing anxiety to the larger business hauses. The assumption of the Premiership of Russia by M. Kokovstoff opened the way to important developments in the tea situation of the whole world. M. Kokovstoff was contemplating the.advocacy of the removal of the duty on tea in Russia, which is Is 8d a lb when the tea is carried in Russian ships and Is lOd when carried by all foreign ships. In order to cope with the spirit-drinking evil of Russia, M. Kokovstoff intends, it is'said, to facilitate the increased consumption of tea as a corrective of dram drinking. Should tea bo admitted to Russia duty free, or even at a reduced duty, it will make an enormous difference in the quantity (available for other countries. Notwithstanding the heavy duty, Russian consumption of tea last last year was roughly, 160,000,000H>5. In the event of any fiscal change on the lines referred to, the whole tea trade would be revolutionised, and comnjon teas advance probably GO to 80 per cent in price. Incidentally it may be mentioned that Common and medium teas have not been so dear for years past as they are to-day. At the Calcutta sales on Tuesday Indian common teas advanced Jd per lb. There was also a corresponding advance in the Colombo tea market.