SALE OF HIDES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 279, 19 August 1920, Page 6

SALE OF HIDES

No control exists nt present over the price of hides at auctions in New Zenland. I)iit the market is slackened to some extent by tlio local tanners beiiif; rtlioved of the necessity of competing for lots at auction. Tanners have the right to take any lot sold final bid. They are, therefore, out of the market, and c'ompetition is less in consequence. For this reason farmers have objected to the arrangement.. Mr. Massev informed Mr. Powdrell in tlio Houso yesterday that the matter of the prior claim of local taimeTS to hides over exporters has received careful consideration, and tlm Government hopes soori" ! to he in a position to modify tlio existing arrangement. POST OFFICE~MNDMENT BILL The Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, introduced in the House of Representatives early this morning, proposes to inorensei the mnximum amount of deposit on which interest will be paid by the Post Office Savings Bank. It enables the Department to issue wireless cerlificates, and provides that the Post Office's financial year shall close on March 31, instead of June 30. DEFENCE The Defence report, presented to Parliament yesterday, contains not a word about the new policy of the Government about defonco. Indeed there is little if any new matter in tlio report. 'I ho policy proposals of the Government with regard to defence will he presented later in tho session. It is not yet certain wi.'clher legislation will bo necessary ro (five effect to the new proposals.