THE TANNING INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 161, 10 July 1930, Page 6

THE TANNING INDUSTRY.

In your paper yesterday you feature remarks made by Mr. R. A. Zwar from Australia that may give a very wrong impression to the. New. Zealand public concerning the; development of the important tanning indus-. try"of. the Dominion. According to the Year, Book, between four and five million pounds' weight of leather is manufactured annually in the Dominion, and if the tanning industry here enjoyed the same amount of protection as does the Australian industry, or if New Zealanders would give preference to goods made of New Zealand leather, this amountcould be largely increased. Mr. Zwar-is in error when he states that three-quarters ot our yearling skins are exported to Australia. Probably not more than 10 per cent are missed 1 , by New Zealand tanners, who are keen buyers of those- skins, which they convert intoleather of as high a grade as ever Australia produced. It' is' apparent that Mr. Zwar knows little or nothing of the development, ot the tanning industry in this country. Taking into consideration the difference in the size ot our respective markets, the Dominion tan*, neries will compare favourably with those in, Australia, both as regards capacity, modern equipment, up-to-date methods, and quality oi leather produced. HERBERT ROSS, Secretary, N.Z. Tanners' Association.;?