FENCING WIRE

Evening Star, Issue 23816, 21 February 1941, Page 10

FENCING WIRE

IMPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION MINISTER EXPLAINS CONTROL PLAN [Pea United Press Association.] * WELLINGTON, February 20. The procedure for the importation and distribution of fencing wire required by the farming community was outlined to-day by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. J. G. Barclay. “ Since the outbreak of the war many difficulties have been experienced by importers in securing supplies of fencing wire from the United Kingdom and Australia, as these markets have been closed to New Zealand orders for a considerable time,” said the Minister. “It has, therefore, become necessary to purchase fencing wire from Canada and the United States. To meet fanners’ requirements during the ensuing 12 mouths, my predecessor in office appointed an advisory committee representing the Government departments concerned, and including a nominee of the New Zealand Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants’ Federation and a nominee of the New Zealand Hardware Merchants’ Guild. This committee arranges for the importation of wire for primary industries, and organises the distribution of supplies on an equitable basis witbin New Zealand. “ In the main centres representatives of the wire distributors have formed fencing material associations, appointing a secretary and an allocation committee from their members. Merchants desiring supplies of wire should apply to the local secretary, who will see that all past importers of wire receive a share of the wire allocated to their districts. Users of fencing wire should place their orders with the local merchant with whom they have been in the habit of doing business. The committee is confining its attention to fencing wire, gauges seven to ten inclusive, and barbed wire. Importers of other classes of wire should apply for import licenses in the usual way. “ The Price Tribunal has fixed the maximum retail selling price of American plain fencing wire at £1 Ifis fid per cwt at Auckland. Wellington, and Dunedin. anti £’2 per cwt-at Ohristchurcb. which represents a redaction of Is per cwt on tin' present retail prices. The maximum retail price of American barbed wire is to be C2 .°>s and £2 fid per cwt respectively, which provides a corresponding reduction in the price. The retail sale price at other centres will be at those prices, plus actual transport costs.”