COMMERCE IN MAIZE GRAIN 617 



ducting cost of freight. So long as North America, Argen- CHAP, 

 tina, and S.E. Europe are able to supply cheap bulk maize, it XIL 

 would appear to be a sound policy for South Africa to cater 

 for special lines of trade which are willing to pay a good price 

 for a choice article in prime condition, rather than to attempt 

 competition with the producers of " any sort" of maize such 

 as will sell only at the cheapest rate. The English markets 

 will even buy a cargo of damaged maize, provided it is 

 uniform in quality and condition ; but they will not pay much 

 for it, which leaves but a small margin of profit for producer 

 and local merchant ; it is better, therefore, to keep such stuff 

 at home for local manufacture, or for use as stock-food, and to 

 export only the better qualities, which will command a good 

 price, with a good margin of profit. 



572. Sale by Sample. — In some American markets the 

 inspection and grading have been developed to such a degree 

 of perfection, and work so satisfactorily, that grain which is 

 deliverable on contract is never shown by sample {Scofield). But 

 in other markets, with less well-developed systems of grading, 

 purchases for consumption or manufacture are made on the 

 basis of sample, and this system prevails in many countries. 

 Average samples of the various types are agreed on by either 

 the Chamber of Commerce or the Produce Exchange, at the 

 beginning of every season ; these are sealed up and sent 

 to all the corn exchanges in England and on the Continent, 

 and on them all contracts for that particular season are based. 



South African graders' certificates are accepted on the 

 London market. 



573. Import Duty. — Maize is admitted duty-free into 

 England, Belgium, and Russia. Duty is payable in France, 

 Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Egypt. 



The following are the duties charged {Bowman and Cross- 

 ley) :— 



France— 3 francs (2s. 4'gd.) per quintal (220-462 lbs.) 



Germany — 3 marks (is. 5'8d.) per quintal ( ,, ) 



Spain— 2-25 pesetas (io-8d.) per quintal ( „ „ ) 

 Sweden— 370 kroners (2s. o-]&.) per quintal ( „ ,, ) 



Under Article IV of the South African Customs Conven- 

 tion, the rebates of Customs duties granted on goods and 



