HIDES AND SKINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23488, 27 October 1939, Page 10

HIDES AND SKINS

STOCKS ACCUMULATE EXPORTS NOT PERMITTED DELAY AFFECTS CONDITION Stocks of hides and skins intended for export arc rapidly accumulating in various stores owing to Government restrictions against shipment. Traders are compelled to acquire supplies if they are to maintain their business connections, but the situation is imposing on them heavy financial responsibilities which are in some cases taxing their resources. There are persistent reports of signs of deterioration among some stocks of sheepskins. It is pointed out that the possibility of the development of weevil in the particular conditions ruling in the stores if there came a period of humid weather is a matter of real concern. Export Licences Refused Tlio operations of fellmongers aro giving relatively small relief to the stock position of sheep skins because the capacity of their works is strictly limited. Wool taken from skins must he held until the Government is in a position to start appraisement under its scheme of purchase, but while the export of pickled pelts is ostensibly permitted under licence, there is wide complaint that applications to make shipment have been refused. , It is presumed that the reason for the refusal of many export licences is because applicants, having made purchases from a wide variety of sources and under varying conditions, aro unable to supply exact details of cost. The Government requires ■ such details under its plan to appropriate profits than can be assessed as having arisen through war conditions since September 3. It is claimed by exporters that the Government embarked 011 its "take the war profits" plan without proper knowledge of trading conditions that make it essential to assess profits over a period and not by individual shipments. Operations of Tanners The purchase of hides by exporters from brokers is stopped by Government restriction in the meantime, but together with tanners they may buy direct in the country districts from butchers and others. Tanners may, however, also purchase from brokers, and without the usual competition from exporters they have a wide field of selection. Unfortunately their requirements are only about 30 to 40 per cent of brokers' offerings, it is stated, and if export is not permitted soon, stocks of hides will be in very stale condition for export.