SUPPLY AND EXPORT OF HIDES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XVIII, Issue 4, 21 April 1919, Page 255

SUPPLY AND EXPORT OF HIDES.

With reference to the embargo recently placed on the export of hides for the purpose of assuring supplies to local tanners, a conference comprising representatives of the Board of Trade, and of brokers, freezing companies, producers, tanners, and boot-manufacturers, was held at Wellington on nth April. After discussion, the difficulties were narrowed down to (1) the necessity of allowing freezing companies to export a portion of the hides bought prior to 6th March ; (2) the difficulty of dealing with hides offered at auction. It was estimated that if the freezing companies were allowed the right to export approximately 20,000 hides no other difficulty would be raised in making all the balance available for use in New Zealand. A sub-committee, consisting of Dr. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, Mr. W. G. Foster, and Mr. W. S. Bennett, was set up to work out an equitable allocation of approximately 20,000 hides among the various companies, the tanners raising no objection. With respect to the second difficulty, the conference decided to recommend that the Order in Council governing the matter be amended —(a.) That ox-hides offered at auction in the following grades and at the following prices, and not purchased by tanners, shall be deemed to have been refused in such circumstances as to show that the goods are not required for local purchase at those prices : Superior 33-44, n|d. ; 45-52, nfd. ; 53-58, i2fd. ; 59-69, 13|d. ; 70 and over, i4d. (all f.o.b.) : First grade, id. less : 2nd grade, i|d. less, (b.) That cow-hides’offered at auction in the following grades—33-39, 40-49, 49 and over —and not purchased at the prices fixed in the schedule of the regulation, shall be deemed to have been refused. The conference expressed the opinion that if these suggestions were give effect to the scheme would work smoothly. The producers’ representatives objected in toto to any limitation of prices. The Board of Trade recommended the adoption of the conference proposals, and the Minister (Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald) has approved. The local hide-sales will be resumed shortly.