H.—3o.

REPORT OF CONTROLLER. " The Hon. the Minister of Marketing. " I beg to report to you on the operations of the Sheep-skin Control for the twelve months ended 30th June, 1942. " Accounts. —The accounts for the year show an addition to the Pool surplus of £5,904 19s. 6d., making it £13,101 ss. 10d., but the endeavour, of course, is so to fix the buying schedules that the Pool Account squares itself without surplus or deficiency. It is the variation in pickled-pelt values which makes this impossible with the need to correct differences from one buying schedule to another. " Buying Schedules. —Buying schedules in operation have been as follows :— " Seventh Schedule .. .. .. .. From 25th September, 1941. " Eighth Schedule .. .. .. .. From 28th February, 1942. The Seventh Schedule was amended to increase the price of lamb-skins only from 23rd December. The normal time for the change of the Seventh Schedule was early in December, but because of the uncertainties from the entry of Japan into the war the change was delayed until 28th February, 1942. No change has been necessary since then, because the variation in pelt prices downwards has practically been offset by the increase in the price of wool. " Statistics. —A table is given showing the quantities and values of woolly sheep-skins exported to various destinations on behalf of the United Kingdom Wool Control for the twelve months ended 31st July, 1942. " R. C. Burgess, Controller." QUANTITIES AND VALUES OF WOOLLY SHEEP-SKINS EXPORTED. The following table shows the quantities and values of woolly sheep-skins exported to various destinations on behalf of the United Kingdom Wool Control for the twelve months ended 31st July, 1942

ACCOUNTS. The accounts of the Sheep-skin Control for the year ended 30th June, 1942, are shown in the accounts section at the end of this report, page 26. TALLOW. PURCHASES BY UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OF 1941-42 SEASON'S TALLOW. In October, 1941, the United Kingdom Ministry of Food intimated that, whilst the Ministry was not inclined to make a contract for a period, they desired the first option of the 1941-42 season's tallows, with a view to making contracts from time to time for purchase of fixed quantities. The Ministry also agreed to discuss an upward revision of prices at the time of purchase. The wishes of the Ministry as outlined were met, and purchases of the following quantities were made, covering shipments from Ist August, 1941, to 31st July, 1942 :— (a) At the c. &f. sterling prices which applied for the 1940-41 season (see page 22 Tons. of parliamentary paper H.-30b, 1940) .. .. .. .. .. 15 119 (b) At a range of c. & f. sterling prices which average approximately £3 10s. sterling per ton in excess of the 1940-41 season prices .. .. .. .. 30,786 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 45,905 Note. —The 1942-43 season production of tallow for export, estimated at 50,000 tons, has been purchased by the United Kingdom Ministry of Food at a range of c. & f. sterling prices which average approximately £8 10s. sterling per ton in excess of the 1940-41 season prices. PURCHASE BY NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT OF TALLOW FROM NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURERS. The f.o.b. (New Zealand currency) purchase-prices payable to manufacturers remain as set out in the Schedule attached to the Purchase of Tallow Order 1940, with the exception of minor alterations relating to the grades stearine medium and pig-fat (inedible), and the addition of the grades edible mixed tallow and hide-grease. STATISTICS. The following table shows the quantities of tallow purchased by the United Kingdom. Government, and shipped from Ist August, 1941, to 31st July, 1942 :— Tons Tons (net). _ (Net). First beef .. .. .. .. 5,108 Superior stearine .. .. .. 537 First mutton .. .. .. 10,412 Medium stearine .. .. .. 32 Good bright mixed .. .. .. 4,136 Inedible lard .. .. .. 785 Good colour mixed .. .. .. 6,094 Hog-grease .. .. .. .. 296 Fair to good mixed .. .. .. 4,222 Edible mixed .. .. .. 1,018 Fair mixed .. .. '.. .. 1,678 Hide-grease.. .. .. .. 128 Good gut .. .. .. .. 7,296 Medium gut .. .. ..2,917 45,905 Low gut .. .. .. .. 1,246

3—H. 30

17

Destination. Number of Number of , „ Weight (^Zealand Dumps. Skins. (Pounds Net). 1 Currency). £ United Kingdom .. .. 712 51,235 407,030 22,868 Canada .. .. .. 7,153 516,602 4,181,552 184,743 U.S.A. .. .. .. 394,530 2,900,551 139,441 12,921 962,367 7,489,133 347,052