RABBIT EUR FOR HATS.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 September 1919, Page 8

RABBIT EUR FOR HATS.

“COMMANDEER” or SKIN-s ‘- URGED. J Hats maallllfaCtllrel‘s of the Com-{ monwealth and their employees were; represented at a deputation whichi waited 11p011 the Minister for Gus-I toms (Mr Mass)‘ Greene), audurged «t}ga,f the Federal Goivernmen-tsh{o'uld'l “commalldeex"’ all rabbit; skins in! Australia, and that the export of skins shoulld :be prohibited. The deputation said American buyers were obt.-a.inin-g all the skins of‘fering_. and! the Australian ’trade had not been! able to secure any of winter skins? which were necessary for the produou tion of a first—class articsle. Raw‘ .material which, before the war, had! cost ls, nn-ovw cost from 8s to 11s, asl a. result of the competition of thel outside buyer, and even »a.t that price the Australian trade could not obtain supplies. I Mr Gl-eerie replied that, even supposing it were desirable, the Felderal Government had not the constitutional] powers to “comma.n:.leer” supplies, but he would direct the attention of! the State Government to the position.| He was prepared to consider wlrethers, it was not possible to adopt the same] regulation with regard to rabbit" skinsl as had already been adopted with regarid to hides, allowing‘ the local buyer the right to take the skins on! the fall of the hammer at the auction! sales, no-twithstiantling that a ship» per might have bought them_ That‘ would ensure. at all events, that Ans"! tralian ‘industries would not be do-j prived of their supplies of raw ma-I l'ol'lafl.l. ll ..__....._.____..