H.—3o

daring the 1943-44 season, the grades of hides concerned being ox and cow hides, 40 lb. and up. The Marketing Department has purchased these hides on the terms set out in the report of the Hides Committee which follows, and sale is made to the Australian Hide Board at New Zealand standard domestic values. The number of hides shipped to Australia during the 1943-44 season was 85,543. The accounts covering the foregoing transactions are shown in the accounts section at the end of this report, page 33. It will be seen that the deficit for the 1943-44 season was £39,873. REPORT OF HIDES COMMITTEE ON OPERATIONS FOR YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944 The following report has been submitted to the Hon. the Minister of Marketing on behalf of the Hides Committee by the Chairman, Mr. A. P. O'Shea :— " I have pleasure in submitting the fourth annual report and statement of the Equalization Fund for the year ended 31st March, 1944. " The work of the Committee during the year has been carried on as in the past. " Export Levy.—There has been no change in the rate of levy during the year ended 31st March, 1944. " The current rates of levy are as follows :— " Ox-hides .. .. .. ~ One penny farthing (ljd.) per pound. " Cow-hides .. .. .. .. One penny farthing (1 Jd.) per pound. "Bull-hides ... .. .. .. One penny (Id.) per pound. " Yearlings .. .. .. .. One penny farthing (l|d.) per pound. " Calf-skins (other than freezers) .. Three pence (3d.) per pound. " The amount of levy payable is calculated on the weights invoiced to overseas buyers, and such weights are declared on the Customs export entries. " Sale of Hides to Australia. —The arrangement made between the Governments of New Zealand and Australia continued during the current twelve months. This meant that, as before, there was no overseas sale, and it was necessary to assess a price payable under export conditions. The sub-committee consisting of Messrs. J. Fraser (Chairman), W. V. Watson, J. P. Mackay, and G. A. Duncan, with the Secretary ex officio, continued to function and met monthly.

" The ruling price schedule for Ist April, 1943, was as follows :—

" On the 11th November, 194-3, the sub-committee requested Mr. W. V. Watson and the Secretary to revise the Australian price schedule as follows : —

" The prices remained unchanged to 31st March, 1944. " Claiming of Yearlings by Tanners. —Owing to the large offerings of yearlings, the tanners notified the Committee that they desired to revert to claiming only 66§ per cent, in accordance with the regulations. This was confirmed on 30th July, 1943. " Claiming of Ox-hides.—At the meeting of the Committee held on the 12th May, 1943, a letter was received from the Factory Controller in regard to tanners' requirements of all ox-hides 45 lb. and upwards, and it was agreed to meet the position with the approval of the

4—H. 30.

25

Freezers. Abattoirs. tT ? n Fir f n Seco f d n ™I d Butchers. Country. Country. Country. d. d. d. d. d. d. Ox-hides 40/47 lbs. .. .. 10& 9$ 9A 8§ 8X 7# Ox-hides: 48 lbs. upAverage weight 52 to 54 lb. .. 10-j& 10-& 9$ 9f g 8|| 8& Average weight over 54 to 56 lb. 10f 10J 9-f 9| 8| 8J Average weight over 56 to 58 lb. 10{f 9 J| 8 j§ 8-& Average weight over 58 to 59 lb. 10J 10f 9| 9| 8| 8§ Average weight over 59 to 61 lb. 10j| 9|| 8$ 8-& Average weight 61 lb. up .. 11 lo| 10 9|' 9 8§ Cow-hides: 51 lbs. up .. .. 9jf 8j| 8-f 0 - 7jf Cow-hides 40/50 lbs. .. .. 9|f 8$ 7|f

Freezers. Abattoir. n Kr f n Seo ° nd n Third ±>utoners. Country. Country. Country. d. d. d. d. d. d. Ox-hides 40/47 lb 10& 9 j| 8# 7# Ox-hides : 48 lb. up— Average weight 49/52 lb. .. 10-& 9& 8$- 8^Average weight over 52 to 54 lb. 10 is •' in 8|J- 8^ 6 - Average weight over 54 to 56 lb. lOf 10J 9f 9J 8f 8J Average weight over 56 to 58 lb. lOjf 9 8j| 8-& Average weight over 58 to 59 lb. 10|- 10| 9f 9f 8f 8| Average weight over 59 to 61 lb. 10{| 9|f 8 T^Average weight 61 lb. up .. 11 lo| 10 9J 9 ' 8| Cow-hides: 51 lb. up .. .. 9$ 8}§- 8f ff 7}£ Cow-hides 40 to 50 lb. .. .. 10f ff 9f| 9-& 8-ff 7|f