IMPROVEMENU OF N.Z. PELTS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1931, Page 2

IMPROVEMENU OF N.Z. PELTS

V ALUABLE BY-PRODUCTS

EXTENDED RESEARCH WORK

A report prepared by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research covers some of the work done in investigating the preparation and marketing of New Zealand pelts. After reviewing the general subject of the manufacture of leather and its various uses, the report refers to the fact that the pelts industry must look to an increasing extent to scientific aid to promote its sound development. It is admitted that in the last few years the quality of New Zealand pelts lias improved considerably. There is still room for further improvement. With tliis end in view tsoilie of the smaller freezing works combined with the New Zealand Leather Research Association, a branch of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, to investigate some of the problems facing the industry. A very small beginning was made some eighteen months ago. It was necessary at first to get some idea of the local conditions in each freezing works. As ha« been stated previously, processes are known which will produce a good pelt, but these are not suitable to »w Zealand conditions. The conditions in each works are different, and i"til n however inadequate, wan Ihing much could be done. . -*'i* .iii‘vey minor alterations w« • ~-1 in the existing processes, which did not disturb the routine, but, at the same time, marked a definite step towards improvement.

TRIAL SHIPMENTS. Small trial shipments were made to England through the High Commissioner. These were made into leather by a tanner of very high repute. The finished leather was examined by members of the British Leather Research Association, a representative of New Zealand, and the tanner in question. The results were such that the fact was established that definite improvement could be made. Sample skins were sent back to New Zealand to illustrate the points in the report, and also numerous microphofographs of sections oi the skins. These illustrations have aroused much interest in the works concerned with the result that definite steps have been taken to improve the methods of processing ns far ns the information received will allow. Not only has the data obtained shown that better results can be produced, but, also, that less cumbersome methods of working can also be used. Another result of these trial shipments is that interest hns been aroused in New Zealand pelts, and manufacturers who have hitherto not used the Dominion products have had them in ought to their notioo,

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF WORK

It is now hoped further to extend the work along the liiicts already tjoned, that is, to improve the conditions and reputation of New Zealand pelts, to widen the markets, and thus obtain a better chance of more remunerative prices and, if possible, to reduce the cost of production, The Empire Marketing Board has promised to grant £SOO annually for five years on the condition that an eqaul amount is raised in New Zealand by the Government and by the industry, As it has been usual for the Government and industry to participate in research on a 50-50 basis, this would leave £250 to be raised by the meat freezing industry, and such a sum would make it possible to carry on the work much more thoroughly and on a larger scale than at present, The report of the Imperial Economic Committee on hides and skins, discussing the possibility of a shortage of good leather, says: “The supply of damaged hides and skins is no considerable that in a comparatively short time it should be possible greatly to augment the amount of good leather in the world’s markets. The question is not of increasing in,- m >ud flocks, but of proper attenu>»,i i.-.. -• by-pro-duct of the animal industv-- »- ' xists to-day,”