MAIZE TRADE SAVED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 8

MAIZE TRADE SAVED

SOUTH AFRICA’S CROP SHIPMENTS POSSIBLE JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 20. II South Africa had been neutral in the present war 11.000.000 bags of maize would have been left to rot in tlie grain elevator system of the country. That tact is to-day becoming obvious to the maize farmers—undoubtedly the strongest political group of the country—and the result has been an immediate reaction against neutrality ideas.

When war was declared, the Union had exported only 3,500,000 bags of its crop, although 0,400,000 had been committed for shipment

Calamity threatened exporting organisations, since in terms of the charter a number of shipping firms revoked. But the British Government agreed to meet the extra charge of 331; per cent on shippings booked before September 4, and thus ensured that the contracts were carried out.

The Union had, therefore, just started exporting its huge maize surplus when war was declared, and one of the first effects of joining the Allies was the guarantee that regular shipments would continue.

"I am now experiencing no difficulty in chartering ships,” a large exporter staled. "They are all being effectively convoyed, and the whole of our export business is working almost as smoothly as in normal times.”