EXPORT OF HIDES.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1919, Page 2

EXPORT OF HIDES.

A FARMER'S PROTEST. It is alleged that many farmers in the south are greatly dissatisfied at the action of the Government concerning the embargo on hides. As an outcome of the discontent at present conditions, a strongly-worded letter of protest has been forwarded to Mr. Massey by Mr. D. Rutledge, secretary of the Southland branch of the Farmers' Union, in which it is said that the restriction on export of hides in favor of the tanners is so self-evident that the farmers consider the circumstances call for special protest. It is pointed out that at the last Australian sales, New Zealand heavy hides brought 24d per lb. This has been the price for some time, while Australian boots (made from New Zealand leather) are sold in New Zealand in competition with Dominion manufactured footwear. The influence, it is said, is obvious. While prior to the war hides sold at from 9d to Is Id per lb. sole leather was procurable in New Zealand at 2s to 2s Cd per lb. "At present," says the letter, "notwithstanding your restrictions, the price of sole leather is 4s 6d." The letter to the Prime Minister from the Farmers' Union proceeds: "In regard to the question of- export of leather, there are good grounds for believing that the restriction is more or less of a farec. The officer who issues permits for export is no expert, and as a result it is reported by a gentleman lately returned that New Zealand leather is being exported and sold in Australia at a handover profit by the large tanners, and probably; used in the manufacture of the boots sold"again to the New Zealand market. In face of the_ scheduled prices it would be interesting to know why large merchants are in the market buying hides at Is 4d for ox and cow. Are there channels through which they are enable to export these and so reap a fortune at the expense of the producer? If Is 4d can be paid by these merchants why not issue a 'Gazette' notice fixing this price so that producers may be in the position to secure actual value for their fat stock. It appears to my executive that the Government failed in being 'thorough.' When the price was fixed for hides why was not the price for the manufactured article? In regard to my complaint that the producers were not consulted, to which you reply that I am in error, my authority for this statement is the Dominion Secretary, New Zealand Farmers' Union, who informs me that a protest was lodged against the personnel of those consulted"