§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the use of Australian leather has been prohibited by Military authorities; and if so, on what grounds?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Surrey, Guildford)At present the specifications for harness and saddlery require the use of "prime British bark tanned leather." The Australian leather is understood to be tanned with mimosa and not to be so durable in this climate as bark-tanned British leather. The question is, however, being further considered at the instance of the Agent General for Victoria, and the Director of Contracts is obtaining information from experts, on receipt of which the point as to whether our specifica- 230 tion can be revised will be carefully dealt with. If supplies other than harness and saddlery, the only proviso is that the leather shall be up to standard.