POOR PREPARATION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 61, 4 December 1937, Page 16

POOR PREPARATION

Losses on Empire Hides and Skins LONDON COMMENT | LONDON, Nov. 6. Losses of considerable magnitude, es timated at several millions a year, are miffered by Empire producers of hides and skins owing to reduction of quality through faulty preparation in the countries of origin. This fact is emphasised in a monograph on "The Preparation of Empire Hides and Skins," which has been prepared by the Imperial Institute, to provide in a single volume information that will assist those engaged in the industry to raise the quality of hides and skins sent to the world 's markets. In some of the highly-organised meat works in overseas countries and in certain large abattoirs the co'mmereial value of careful treatment is well understood and practised. It is the small and seattered producer, and more particularly the native cattle owner, who is most to blame, and whom it is desired to educate through official veterinary services and commercial contacts* Heavy Annuai Wastage. The preface states that hides and skins, with certain specified exceptions, are needlessly damaged through lack of care in preparation, and when sold to the tapner xealise only part of their potential value. Disease and other causea eontribute to the lowering of quality, but, in the main, faulty preparation is responsible for the principal damage. The loss in market value due to this cause represents in the aggregate an annuai wastage of considerable magnitude, a loss which is borne by the producers and which is avoidable. Attention is drawn to the need fo? preventing damage to hides and skins by disease and. by the warble fiy, by injuries through animals seratching themselves on barbed wire fences, and by branding animals on tbe butt, the mosl valuable part of the hide, instead of a small mark on the hoof, ear or cheek. Grading in Dominion Suggested. A survey of the industry in New Zealand, its exports, methods of preparation, and the results of local investlga--tions, concludes with the following statement: — "The hide industry of the Dominion is well organised. Doubtless the products can be improved, and it is eonsidered that in the first place the best method to adopt is one on the lines of compulsory grading. This should eliminate the criticism regarding lack of uniformity in classification, and also tend to improve the flaying. Blemishes such as brand and horn marks, also barbed wire scratches, will be eonsidered in the proposed grading." A section devoted to Australia estimates the value of the trade in hides and skins at. £5,200,000 in 1934-35, equal to 7 per cent. of the value of the pastoral industry. About 39 per cent. of Australia 's hides and 59 per cent. of the production of sheep skins are exported. The following criticism is made:; '' Damage from tick infestation apd the' results of heavy and numerpus brands: >n the best part? of the hides lower! their values. The eradication of tick,; md a substitution for the present meth- ! td of fire-branding would, therefore,; ead to an increase in. the value of the * (roducts."