INDIAN CARPETS AND THE PLAGUE. [To THS EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—In a paragraph on the Plague in the Spectator of February 13th you mentioned that the export of Indian carpets has commenced to suffer, and that the prices have already fallen 10 per cent., and we write to inform you in the interests of the steadily increasing native industry that not only is this statement incorrect, but the facts are very much the reverse. The demand for these Indian carpets in Great Britain has been steadily on the increase during the past few years. Over 90 per cent. of those sent here are made in the Mirzapore district, north-west of Calcutta, and shipped through that port. A portion are also made in the Madras district, and shipped through Madras ; only a very few carpets of other kinds are shipped through Bombay at any time. Since January 1st in the present year the demand from the wholesale and retail trades in London has been very brisk, and many large sales have been made by importers at higher prices than at the close of last year. The first public auctions of Indian carpets were held on the 3rd inst., and drew together a large attendance of buyers. Competition was keen, and considerable quantities were sold at an advance over the closing prices of 1896, ranging from 5 to 10 per cent.
There has been no talk in the trade of the Plague affecting the industry or the sale of the carpets in this country, so long as it is confined to the Bombay district, and as Indian carpets are daily growing in favour in the eyes of the public, it is as well to allay any needless apprehensions that might arise on the subject.—We are, Sir, &c., INDIAN CARPET BROKERS.
[We can only repeat our conviction, based on evidence, that the great distributors are accepting lower prices for Indian carpets. The cause is not the Plague, which has not appeared In the great port of export, but a wish to thin stocks before a panic sets in. If the Plague breaks out in Calcutta, as we fully expect, there will hardly be an Indian carpet sold in Europe for twelve months. Our correspondent's own lists show that people do not readily buy carpets which must have come through Bombay.—En. Spectator.]
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