BEST IN THE WORLD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1018, 8 July 1930, Page 10

BEST IN THE WORLD

N.Z. COW HIDES TRIBUTE FROM AUSTRALIA New Zealand cow-hides are the finest in the world for the manufacture of leather for upholstering motor-cars. This tribute comes from Mr. R. A. Zwar, of the firm of Zwar Proprietary, Limited, leather manufacturers, Melbourne, who arrived by the Ulimaroa today. Although Mr. Zwar 'is on a business visit to New Zealand he will also celebrate his marriage here. On July 16 he will be married to Miss Linley Le Quesne, of Auckland. Mr. Zwar stated that business in Melbourne was improving when he left. Sales of leather, of which his company handles every kind, were largely on the increase. “We take three-quarters of the New Zealand supply of yearling beast hides which are the best for making patent-leathers,” he stated. “We also take a large quantity of New Zealand calf-hides and the cow-hides which are the best in the world for motor upholstery leather.” Mr. Zwar said lie could not understand why New Zealand had not developed her leather industry more than she had done. All New Zealand hides are admitted to Australia duty free, but he did not know how the new tariff restrictions would affect the Australian tanners. “Piece-work is the only salvation of industry in Australia,” said Mr. Zwar. “Our production costs are so high we cannot compete on outside markets with our finished products. We sent a shipment of patent-leather to New Zealand recently, but you can import it cheaper from England. We have been asked for several quotations from America and other countries, but our prices are necessarily too high.”