GOVERNMENT REQUISITION OF SHEEP SKINS.

Western Star, 2 November 1917, Page 2

GOVERNMENT REQUISITION OF SHEEP SKINS.

Recently the Southland Executive of the Farmers’ Union communicated with the Prime Minister regarding the methods adopted in the requisitioning of sheep skins. In his reply the Minister said that at the direct request of the Imperial Government the present arrangements' in connection with the matter were being continued. Tho Union replied staling that it refused to believe that the Imperial Government had dictated in any way the present methods of requisition. The Union found no fault with the

general requisition of farmers’ products, but protested against the loss and injustice involved in the present methods. It considered that the loss to the producers was in the vicinity of one hundred thousand pounds. It expressed the opinion that this loss was occasioned by regulations designed to interfere with and alter conditions of work which had been going along well for forty years, which had created the necessity for the expenditure of large sums on salaries to pay many newly-created officials. What the Union wished to see was the simple commandeering of products at the port of shipment at 'f.o.b. valuation. That put the thing in a nutshell, and by adopting, that course the only expense necessary would he the payment cf valuers’ fees instead of paying under the existing system very high salaries which reduced the producers’ profits. The Minister has been strongly urged to re-conisider the matter, and it certainly appears that the Union has made out a strong case.