COMMERCE IN MAIZE GRAIN 529 



as a very bold, floury grain, and worth 6d. to is. per quarter CHAP, 

 more than the American maize. Although there is a prejudice xn - 

 against South African mealies on account of their being less 

 known, the opinion was offered that if regular supplies were 

 forwarded, they would obtain a firm hold on the British market 

 in three or four years. A parallel case was instanced. Ran- 

 goon haricots on their first appearance met with nothing but 

 hostility from the buyers, but by the perseverance of the ship- 

 pers, they have now come to the front. Replying to a question 

 as to the best means of making the brands known, it was stated 

 that there was nothing like a good market for the purposes of 

 publicity in such a case. The maize should be allowed to sell 

 on its merits while there was a demand, and should not be held 

 back for a price which the buyer refuses to pay. As a staple 

 article it would be rapidly distributed, and with showy-looking 

 stuff like the Natal mealies, inquiries would soon be made, thus 

 leading to a regular trade. It was added that South African 

 maize germ meal, which has been coming to hand in small 

 quantities during the past three months, has created a very 

 good impression, the latest price being about £6 7s. 6d. per 

 ton. It is regarded by English stock keepers as an excellent 

 food. 



" A member of the firm of R. & W. Paul, Ltd., was 

 somewhat more critical. He said that while the mealies came 

 in their present condition people would buy them readily. 

 When the maize arrived it looked very nice, but it showed 

 traces of weevil, and the longer it stayed on their side the 

 worse it became. On that account many firms would not take 

 it, the Omnibus Companies objecting to it on that ground. 

 ' There are very few American mealies coming in,' was the 

 concluding remark, 'and there is every hope of creating a solid 

 trade with South Africa if we can get anything like a regular 

 supply. If the stuff comes in fits and starts no progress will 

 be made. Putting the American and Natal mealies together 

 there is very little to choose between the two. The African 

 variety is always dry, and if the American should be in a bad 

 condition its rival will have every opportunity of getting the 

 best of the market.' 



"Messrs. Berry, Barclay & Co., who have been handling a 

 quantity of Natal maize, held similar opinons to those men- 

 tioned, emphasising the importance of keeping the weevil in 

 check as much as possible. It was agreed that the British 

 market can absorb practically any quantity provided the quality 

 is maintained." 



34 



