THE HIDE BUSINESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 11

THE HIDE BUSINESS

IS THERE A “CORNER”? COMPLAINT FROM A UNION. A circular respecting the operations of American buyers dealing in Hides was received at yesterday’s meeting of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce from the Auckland Fellmongers, Tanners, Chrome Workers, boap and’ Candle Workers, and General Tannery Employees’ Onion. In the circular it was stated that at a largely-attended meeting of tannery employees held at Auckland last month, a discussion took place on tho question of tho exportation ol the best hides from Now Zealand to American markets, xt was alleged that Ami-ru-nii buyers were systematically ‘‘ cornering ” the hides in New Zealand, and that unless effective steps were taken to prevent this, the industry in New Zealand must suffer. Tho union asked for the support and influence of. tho Wellingtou Gliambor in preventing any further operations of a similar nature. Copies of tha circular had been sent to both Houses of tho Legislature, and tho Various . presidents of Chambers of Commerce, etc., and a resolution had been carried at tho meeting requesting tho Minister of Labour to hold an inquiry into the methods ot the buyers. Tho president of the chamber (Mr A. E. Mabin) denied that there was any “ corner ” at all. Ho said it was a question of supply and demand, and New Zealand was getting tho benefit. It was quite unreasonable to expect the Wellington Chamber, or any other body, to try to prevent tho grower ot hides from selling in the highest maiket that which ho produced. At the present time tanners were suffering, but that was what occurred in the ordinary course of trade. It was quite a proper thing that the grower should gel every benefit, and be able to sell his hides in tho best markets. Canada had been offering very freely, consequently hides were bringing a very high figure. Mr A. S. Biss: How does it affect tho workers in this industry? Mr Mabin; I don’t know whether someone is not pulling tho logs of the workers. It was resolved to reply, stating that tho chamber did not consider the union had made out a case in support of its allegations.