NEW ZEALAND LEATHER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 208, 29 May 1926, Page 24

NEW ZEALAND LEATHER

“AS GOOD AS ANY IN THE WORLD” BUT £150,000 WASTED EACH YEAR The serious loss tho farmers of New aeaiuud are mailing through wrong methods oi branding cattle was pointed out at yesterdays courcrencc ot the itoyal Agricultural Society by Mr. H. moss, secretary of N.Z. Tanneries, Ltd. ~n-. Loss declared that aIM,UOO ox and cow hides were sold aud exported from .yew Zealand last year, ana biII,DUO cait slims in linil. Tuo damage caused to mo hides through branding the cattle on the rump amounted to Id. per lb., aud this worked out at an annual less io the iurmers of New Zealand ul J.T50,<lOO. in order that lurmers should get lull value tor their hides, legislation should be introduced making it compulsory lor auctioneers to sort hides branded on tho rump from those branded on the neck and shoulder. The M.Z. Tanneries had taken the matter up with the Waikato Herd-testing Association, which controlled 150,000 cows, and were hopeful that, this association would see its way to brand cows on the neck or jaw. New Zealand leather was as good as any in the world, but owing to the d»iningo caused by branding on tho rump tanners were unable to obtain sufficient hides to supply tho big demand which existed for machinery belting, great quantities of which were imported each year. Mr. G. McGregor (Waverley said that English belting was preferred, because English leather was far superior to New Zealand.

Mr. Boss: The people of New Zealand require educating in what can bo produced in their own country. I wish everyone could see the quality of leather goods New Zealand can turn out.. New Zealand leather is as good as i..ny in the world, but on account of the idea that English leather is better many New Zealand-tanned hides aro sold as Engish. On account of the same prejudice, tho law has sometimes to be got around, aud boots made of Now Zealand leather branded "made in England.” Dr. C. •!. Reakes (Director of Agriculture) explained that if cattle were to ho branded on the jaw or nock legislm tion would be required. Tho, Department only wanted to do that which would best suit tho farmer?. It was decided to refer tho matter to the brooders’ associations throughout the Dominion.