CONCERNING HIDES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 81, 9 April 1918, Page 1

CONCERNING HIDES.

(United Press Association.)

CHRISTCHTJRCH, April 6.

■During a visit to Woolston tanneries to-day, Mr 'C .M. Ollivier, chairman of directors, said the Government wants practically half the profits of the_ industry, and nobody would object if it said that it wanted more, because the sacrifices here were nothing to the sacrifices on the battlefield ; but those engaged in the industry asked from the Government a little sympathy and a help. There were many works at the institution lying idle. There were thousands of dozens of pelts in the country, while tanned pelts wei - e coming from Australia. It was not right that the country's hides should not have been sold to the Imperial Government without consulting the industry concerned, and the people in New Zealand. There "were 40,000 to 50,000 hides in storage at a cost of id a hide per week. They had been there for months, and about £50,000 was tied up. The National Government should be helped through thick and thin, but it should give industries the sympathy and help asked for. Sir Joseph Ward, in his reply, promised to place Mr Ollivier s request before the Ministers directly concerned.