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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
local desires in these instruments. He added,
however, that several firms had recently prom-
ised him some instruments in conformity to his
wishes. If American manufacturers can not
satisfy importers in this respect, they must not
be surprised if they lose most of their trade
when supplies of the kind desired are obtain-
able.
Very few grand pianos are imported into
Tasmania, and it would hardly be worth the
trouble and expense to cultivate the market
for these, but the imports of upright pianos
are of sufficient importance to justify any efforts
American manufacturers may be inclined to
make in this field.
Buying Power Equal to That of Other States
As Tasmania has a population of 200,000, which
is 4 per cent, of the total population of Aus-
tralia, and as the buying power of the citizens
of this State will compare favorably with that
of the citizens of the other States of Australia,
there is every reason to think that Tasmania
absorbs fully 4 per cent, of the total imports
of pianos into Australia, a number which would
be much greater than the total credited to this
State in the customs returns. If any figures
were available as to the number of foreign
pianos shipped into this State from Melbourne
and Sydney, it would be found that Tasmania
easily absorbed her full share of the total im-
ports of foreign pianos.
Freight conditions at present are far from
favorable. The local firm that has been import-
ing pianos from America was compelled on
account of the excessive rates to order that all
shipments should be delayed until more favor-
able conditions prevail in shipping circles.
Changes in Quotations on Ocean Freights
During June, quotations from New York to
Hobart were $1.25 per cubic foot, while in July
this firm received quotations of 95 cents per
cubic foot from- New York to Melbourne, which
would be about $1.10 per cubic foot from New
York to Hobart, while very recently it received
a quotation of 80 cents per cubic foot from New
York to Melbourne, a decided reduction in the
past two months, but the firm is inclined to
await more favorable rates.. This house has
been importing organs from America for
years, and previous to the war it was accus-
tomed to pay about 20 cents per cubic foot on such
goods from New York to Hobart, while rates
often were much lower than that figure from
England and Germany.
Opportunity in New Zealand
Trade conditions in New Zealand are de-
scribed by Consul General Alfred A. Winslow
in the following report:
American pianos are not well known in New
Zealand, for the reasons that they are more
expensive than the Continental pianos that have
been sold here, and the United Kingdom and
possessions enjoy a preferential duty of 10 per
cent., which has made it difficult for the Amer-
ican manufacturer to compete with the English
make. At this time, however, the preferen-
Record Rolls
"Music as Actually Played"
HESE record rolls repre-
T
sent a true, scientific re-
production of piano playing
as performed by e m i n e n t
artists. Made with a respect to
the ideals of past and present
composers. Artempo rolls sell
on a merit basis only.
Your proof is in our sample
bos at $2.00. Ask for it today.
BENNETT & WHITE, Inc.
67-71 Gobel St., NEWARK, N. J.
11
tial duty is offset by the difficulty experienced The figures for the six months' period ending
June 30, 1916, show imports in this class from
in obtaining pianos.
American manufacturers of musical instru- the United Kingdom of $3,377, and $1,085 from
ments who are interested in the business should the United States.
organize for this field and cover the territory
Tariff Rates on Musical Instruments
thoroughly. The people of New Zealand are
These lines are very largely handled by piano
better able to purchase musical instruments and music dealers. All musical instruments,
than ever before, and there should be a mar- records, and materials not otherwise enumerated
ket for 1,000 or 1,500 American pianos in this are classified under Item No. 133 of the New
Dominion within the next year.
One firm Zealand tariff and pay an import duty of 20 per
states that it has given one manufacturer an cent, from the United Kingdom and posses-
order for eighty pianos on condition that the sions and 10 per cent, additional from all other
cases shall be built according to European countries, with a special war tax of 1 per cent.
models, and has ordered six pianos from an- Action work, keys, and metal frames, for mak-
other firm, with the intimation that many more ing organs, harmoniums, and pianos, also or-
orders would follow if the requirements were gan pipes and stop knobs are classified under
met.
Item No. 326 and enter free from all countries,
with the exception of the war tax of 1 per cent.
Imports of Pianos in New Zealand
In 1915, 3,363 pianos, valued at $396,906, were
Various American musical instruments under
imported into New Zealand, only forty-five in- ordinary circumstances are well received in New
struments, worth $9,494, coming from the Zealand, but the prices have been higher than
United States. For the six months ended June for those from European manufacturers. The
30, 1916, 1,379 pianos, valued at $193,716, were sales of European musical instruments also
imported, of which the United States supplied have been pushed more energetically, which
forty-two, valued at $7,017. These figures will means much for these lines.
show that American piano manufacturers have
neglected this field, the bulk of the trade be-
BAN ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
ing controlled by the United Kingdom since the
war, Germany sharing about equally in the
The Imperial Russian Government is contem-
bulk of the imports before the beginning of
plating
the issuance of a decree prohibiting tem-
hostilities.
porarily the importation of musical instruments
European Style of Case Most Popular
into the Empire, the prohibition to become ef-
The European style of case is most popular fective as soon as issued.
here, because it is better known, but it is prob-
able that an active propaganda for American
style would win. However, it is well to cater
to local tastes unless one is prepared to enter
on such a campaign.
AWARDED
Only the cheaper pianos have been imported
from the United States up to the present time,
and these are being sold here now at $390 to
$490 after paying the duty of 30 per cent, and
the exceedingly high freight rates. Before the
war*Continental pianos were sold here at $220
Supreme Award
up.
of Merit
Manufacturers and exporters should give c. i.
f. prices whenever possible, and never less than
f. o. b. steamer at port of shipment; and should
put themselves in a position at least to allow
the purchasers to pay against documents at port
of arrival in New Zealand. European manu-
facturers in general have extended similar or
even better terms, and American houses must
meet these conditions if they are to get and
hold any great proportion of the business.
Good Field for Players and Talking Machines
There is a good field in New Zealand for
player-pianos, talking machines, records, etc.,
and it .will pay Americans to cultivate it.
Maker of
European manufacturers formerly supplied a
large proportion of these lines, and as this
supply is greatly restricted, the way is cleared
for American manufacturers, who should make
the most of it.
The imports of other musical instruments into
New Zealand during 1915 and the first six
months of 1916 are as follows:
In 1915 organs and harmoniums valued at
$6,355 were imported from Canada, $2,667 worth
from the United Kingdom, the United States
supplying $5,295. For the six months ending
June 30, 1916, Canada supplied $486 worth,
Japan supplied $156 worth, the United King-
dom exported $1,942, and $2,769 was the total
from the United States. In 1915 the imports
into New Zealand of small goods were as fol-
lows:
France, $8,083: Germany, $2,677, the United
Highest Standard of
Kingdom, $36,392, and the United States, $7,232.
Acoustic Excellence
For the period ending June 30, 1916, the im-
ports from France were $1,762; Germany, $920;
the United Kingdom, $21,865, and the United
States, $3,796. Supplies, including action work,
keys, metal frames, pipes, etc., valued-at $7,572,
were imported, the United Kingdom supplying
Chicago, New York, Worcester, Cleveland, Pitts-
$6,030 worth of the same. For the six months
burgh, Denver. Export representative: U. S. Steel
ending June 30, 1916, the United Kingdom sup-
Products Co., New York. Pacific Coast representa-
tive: U. S. Steel Products Co., San Francisco, Los
plied $2,720 worth, this being the total of im-
Angeles, Portland, Seattle.
ports in this class. Musical instrument parts,
valued at $6,409, came from the United King-
dom, and $3,231 from the United States in 1915.
American Steel &
Wire Company
Perfected
and Crown
Piano Wire