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Estimated Position when all Hides " Freed for Export " to 31st March, 1947, have been Shipped £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance levy estimated to 31st March, 1947, Overdraft as at 31st March, 1947 .. 110,367 10 11 on hides " freed for export" and still Claims unpaid as at 31st March, 1947 .. 39,632 9 1 to be shipped .. .. .. 300,000 0 0 150,000 0 0 Estimated credit balance .. .. 150,000 0 0 £300,000 0 0 £300,000 0 0 The New Zealand Tanners' Association advise that Mr. E. A. Astley has resigned as President of their association and that Ms place on the Committee will be taken by Mr. T. G. Tomkins. The New Zealand Master Butchers' Federation also advise that Mr. W. S. Hughes has been nominated by their federation as representative member on the Hides Committee in place of Mr. J. F. Carter. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing on behalf of myself and other members of this Committee full appreciation of the co-operation received both from Mr. E. A. Astley and Mr. J. F. Carter during their term of office as members on the Hides Committee as representatives of their respective associations. General.—l desire to again express my thanks to the members of the Committee, Government Departments concerned, and to all sections of the trade for their willing assistance at all times. I wish particularly to express the appreciation of the Committee and my own personal appreciation of the work of the Secretary, Mr. H. G. Andrews. The rapidly changing conditions during the year just passed have called for a great deal of extra work and have necessitated prompt action on many occasions. The Committee is indebted to Mr. Andrews for his help and assistance in enabling them to cope with this rapidly changing situation. A. P. O'Shea, Chairman. WOOLLY SHEEP-SKINS As stated in last year's annual report, the bulk purchase of woolly sheep-skins by the United Kingdom Ministry of Supply terminated on 30th June, 1946. The Sheep-skin Controller, Mr. R. C. Burgess, continued during 1946-47 season to carry out Government policy in respect of the following matters:— (1) Stabilization of prices to producers on basis of pelt and wool values included in the fat-stock schedules : (2) Supply of requirements of local tanners at stabilized prices. To ensure the foregoing requirements, all sheep-skins were sold at auction in standard grades. The necessary provisions were embodied in the Sheep-skins Emergency Regulations 1947. The Sheep-skins Committee appointed to carry out the regulations was composed of Mr. R. C. Burgess (Chairman), appointed by the Government, Mr. J. Evans and Mr. J. Walker, nominated by the New Zealand Meat-producers' Board and New Zealand Wool Board respectively. As the appointment of the Sheep-skin Committee terminates the appointment of the Sheep-skin Controller, I desire to record the valuable and outstanding services rendered by the Controller (Mr. Burgess) and the Deputy Controller (Mr. George Stewart) during the period of the war years and up to 31st July, 1947. PICKLED SHEEP AND LAMB PELTS The Pickled Sheep and Lamb Pelts Regulations 1947 were required to carry out Government policy in respect of the following matters : (1) Stabilization of prices to producers on basis of pelt values included in the fat-stock schedules ; the surplus sale-prices realized over prices paid to producers to be paid to Meat Industry Stabilization Account: (2) Supply of requirements of local tanners at stabilized prices: (3) Supply to United Kingdom Government of 30 per cent, of New Zealand's export surplus at agreed prices.

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