EXPORT OF HIDES.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2693, 12 February 1916, Page 7

EXPORT OF HIDES.

A CONFERENCE ON THE MATTER. Recently the Government by Ordor-in-Council prohibited uho exportation of hides weighing 451b. and over, similar action having been taken l>y the Commonwealth Government. With a view, therefore, of discussing the effect of such proclamation with those interested in the hide and leather trade, a number of gentlemen representing the Tanners' Association of New Zealand, the Board of Agriculture, producers, and exporters, met the Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, yesterday. The conference lasted tho whole of the day, and resulted in their coming to a unanimous conclusion whereby it was agreed that (with tho exception of bulls' hides) a price for all well-flayed, good-conditioned, meat works, abbatoir, or butchers' hides should be —(a) cow hides" 9d. per lb., (b) ox hides lOd. per lb., both subject to usual tare allowance. If, however, the producer is unable to obtain, in Now Zealand these minimum prices for hides of the weights above referred to, and can produce conclusive evidence of this, the Minister will be prepared to give consideration to applications for permission for tho exportation of the hides concerned. It will be observed that as the above are minimum prices only, this will not restrict free competition for all values in excess. There was a unanimous desire expressed by the parties interested present at the conference that fiy the carrying out of t'ho spirit of the agreement arrived at, tho various interests would receive just consideration. While hides for local purposes will bo obtainable at. tho current market price, tho result of tho conference will be that the tanners have agreed to supply the bootmakers who have entered into contracts for military supplies at tho price agreed upon prior to the embargo being placed on the exportation. As regards tho exportation of leather, it was suggested that the Government should consider tho question of not allowing any leather to be exported 11111 less it is certified by tho Government [ Inspector to Jjo not, !it for military or i domestic use in Now Zealand. A cordial vote of thanks was passed ' to Mr. Myers for presiding,, and at the Batisfactory conclusion or the conference.