LOCAL TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 17328, 16 April 1920, Page 6

LOCAL TRADE

GOVERNMENT FOSTER ANOMALIES. Among the Westralia's cargo is a shipment ot hides from Dunedin for Australia. They came near to missing that vessel s somewhat adventurous trip. The local -waterside workers demurred at putting them aboard, statins that hides ought not to be exported until the local prices for boots and boot-repairing came down from their present altitude. On getting an assurance that this would be the last shipment of hides from this port for Rome time the lumpers put them aboard, and they are now awaiting developments before handling any similar cargo. It may have been coincidence, but at the Auckland hide sales, then in swing, prices fell ahout 25 per cent. News spreads quickly in the commercial world. alternately ridicule and abuao the New Zealand Board of Trade. One case brought to our notice was that of a shipment of Russian timber. It was bought in London, and was shipped here from _ there. The Customs authorities, held it up, refusing delivery to the consignee on the ground that *no certificate of origin from the British Consul in Russia accompanied it. There is room for doubt whether- British Consuls are staying Russia. What merchants contend is that, if goods from non-allied countries have been allowed to reach Britain, then New Zealand need not bother about their re-exportation from the Home Land. In such cases the New Zealand Board of Trade take time to consider matter. When they have made up their minds the consignee may perhaps get delivery. The board, according to Mr Massey, came into being to reduce i the Cost of' Living. Such gyrations and delaj'S only help to increase it.