IMPROVING INDUSTRIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1931, Page 6

IMPROVING INDUSTRIES.

The old idea that the scientist and the commercial manufacturer have little in common te passing, though the prejudice dies hard. Yet the .small attempts made in New Zealand to extend the benefits of scientific research have shown how much is possible if. coordination between laboratory and factory is complete. The recent report issued by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in regard to hides and pelts is an illustration of the good work possible. It is the outcome of inquiry and experiment made by a scientist and two managers of freezing works, and their conclusions are of much interest. Briefly they art to the effect that New Zealand’s trade in firstclass leather and pelts could be considerably larger without an;, increase in the number of animals slaughtered. The supply of sound leather is insufficient, the supply of damaged hides and skins is large, and with tile proper attention a by-product of the animal industry could be made much more profitable than it is. The chief faults are shown to be well within the power of farmers and slaughtering establishments to control, some of the worst being damage due to branding and to barbed wire scratches and horning. Dehorning and a better system of branding are within the reach of all stockowners, and it is well known that witii dehorned cattle the damage done by barbed wire fences is reduced to a minimum.. Improper flaying and curing are responsible for further depreciation in New Zealand leather. The first of these faults is simply a question of taking pains, and here again comes in the difficulty of industry controlled by Arbitration Court awards. High wages and short hours of work lead to hurry in processes of manufacture and a second-class output is often the result. As regards the curing of hides the report urges considerably more research into the 'best methods. Those in use arc an adaptation of practices followed in other countries, often, says the report, without lunch real knowledge as to Whether the modifications are beneficial or otherwise. The remits are wrong processing and ft second-class price. It is in such research work that the assistance of the scientist is required and can be justified fts leading to better returns for the stockowner as well as the manufacturer. If a reduction in the output of lower quality leather can be brought about without additional expense to either the farmer or the manufacturer nt least one section of the animal industry will be on the way to recovery.