4;U Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Skins. — Goat and sheep skins are in the same position as hides, and no 

 business of any importance has taken place. The few transactions recorded 

 show a drop of about 33 per cent., but there are few buyers even at this 

 reduction. The prospect is not encouraging, and a further fall in values of 

 from 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, is expected. 



Wattle Bark. — The market is at present very dull, and practically no 

 Imsiness is being done. Large stocks have accumulated and sellers are willing 

 to take £15. 15s. per ton c.i.f. for chopped. Ground bark is a little firmer at 

 about £17. 10s. to £17. 15s. per ton c.i.f. I am informed that fairly large 

 parcels are now afloat for the Continent, but the demand has fallen off con- 

 siderably. The general slump in leather manufactured goods is naturally affect- 

 ing the price of all raw materials used by the tanners, and the fact that there 

 are large supplies of Valonia and other similar tanning materials available has 

 also tended to depreciate the value of bark. 



Maize. — During the past month no business has been done. Rhodesian 

 No. 2 maize has been offered at 100s. per quarter c.i.f. on the basis of freight 

 at 150s. per ton, but buyers will not pay this price. No. 2 South African is 

 offered at about 105s. c.i.f. There is a good inquiry for all kinds of maize, but 

 the trade is of opinion that the present level of prices, both of Argentine and 

 South African maize, is too high to allow business. Argentine shippers are 

 asking about 75s. per quarter c.i.f., which would make South African worth 

 about 77s. 6d. to 80s. per quarter, but at present only about 72s. is obtainable 

 for Argentine, and, therefore, it might not be possible to secure more than 

 75s. to 77s. 6d. for South African. 



Kaffir Corn. — About 90s. per quarter is obtainable for this article for prompt 

 shipment, but I am informed that shippers are not able to offer at less than 

 100s. 



Ostrich Feathers. — Since the auction sales held on the 3rd May the market 

 has shown no appreciable signs of improvement. The Whitsun holidays have 

 also handicapped business to some extent. Inquiries have been made for Tipless 

 and Medium quality sound Feminas and Femina Boos, but the demand for all 

 other grades remains restricted owing principally to the unstable position of 

 the foreign exchanges. 



The Plumage Bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Commons 

 (luring last month, is now being considered in committee, but owing to the con- 

 gestion of business little progress has so far been made. I may state that the 

 trade here and on the Continent strongly resent the proposed legislation, which 

 they contend will not only fail in achieving any useful purpose, but, indirectly, 

 will adversely affect the feather trade, ostrich and otherwise. The manufacturers 

 of feathers in France have, through their association, protested against the 

 proposed legislation, and have pointed out to the Feather Association in London 

 that the position is very serious, for if the Bill is finally adopted the French 

 Government may be called upon, as a matter of reciprocity, to prohibit the 

 import of ostrich feathers. The position is being carefully watched, but in the 

 opinion of the trade here the possibility of any such action on the part of the 

 French Government as indicated, is considered to be very remote. I may say 

 that the French Government has recently reinstated certain prohibitions of 

 importation, the greater proportion of which are not actually indispensable 

 to the requirements of the population. These include feathers, but only such 

 as are ornamental, prepared, or mounted. Feathers in their natural state 

 (which are what really concern us) are not in any way affected. The import- 

 ance of the feather industry in France will, it is considered, be a sufl&cient 

 safeguard against any undue interference with the .ostrich feather as an article 

 of export. 



Dried Fruit. — The Food Controller has decided to decontrol dried fruits before 

 the next season begins. In accordance with this decision the Dried Fruits 

 (Restriction) Order, 1919, the Dried Fruits (Wholesale Prices) Order, 1919, and 

 the Dried Fruits (Retail Prices) Order, 1918, will be revoked as from Monday, 

 2nd August. After that date there will be no. restriction on the import of 

 dried fruits into the United Kingdom by private traders, and the maximum 

 wholesale and retail prices at present in operation will be withdrawn. The 

 Ministry states that it holds sufl&cient stocks of dried fruits to enable it to 

 prevent any attempts to raise prices unduly, not only during the remainder 

 of the present season, but also throughout next autumn, when the new crops 

 will be brought to this country. 



