IMPERIAL HIDES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 28, 1 February 1917, Page 8

IMPERIAL HIDES

STATEMENT BIT HON. W, D. S.

MACDONALD

"I have received a considerable amount of correspondence on the subject of the action of the Government in connection with the export of hides," said the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, President of the Board of Trade, to a Post reporter this afternoon. "As a matter of fact," he added, "up to the present the Government has not restricted the sale of hides except by way of export. We have received communications from the Imperial Government as to the prices they are prepared to pay for all grades of hides, ■ and they also propose to appoint a grader to pass them for . shipment. The real reason for any delay that has taken place is the fact that, although tho Imperial Government has sent us the proposed schedule of prices, there are certain conditions attached., and in regard to these we have received no definite reply.

"We have decided, so far as dealings, for the. internal requirements of New Zealand are concerned, that the Government will not interfere with the general business arrangements that have been carried on hitherto. Any action we take will be in connection with hides for export, and in that respect no action «an be taken until we hear from the Imperial Government.