7

H—27

The disposal of the dry stores was a very difficult matter, for the following reasons : —- (i) There were huge accumulations of items for which no local demand existed. (ii) There were huge accumulations of items for which a local demand existed but the disposal of which on the local market would have seriously dislocated current production of these goods. The Food Controller undertook the responsibility of arranging for the disposal of all dry stores, as the agent of the Board, and through him an effort was made to interest overseas buyers in all the items which could not immediately be absorbed on the local market. Invitations for offers were circularized to all traders with overseas connections. Some useful responses had been received, and indications were that substantial sales would have been made to overseas interests when the Government decided to offer the unsold balance of goods as a gift to the British Ministry of Food. The gift was accepted, and shipment to destinations nominated by the British Ministry of Food is proceeding as ships are available. All items which were in short supply on the New Zealand market were quickly taken up and disposals have been made to date to an approximate value of £150,000. These local sales were made in all cases at prices approved by the Price Tribunal, through the agency of the New Zealand Wholesale Merchants' Federation, the New Zealand Tea Brokers' Association, Incorporated, and through individual traders who specialized in certain lines. These additional goods proved a most useful supplement to the stocks of processed goods available to local consumers. 24. Proceeds op Realization The total cash receipts for the year ended 31st March, 1946, amounted to £11,269,753, as compared with sales to 31st March, 1945, £3,478,643 ; total realizations since the commencement of operations, £14,748,396. The analysis by commodity groups is as follows :

Commodity Groups. To 31st March, 1945. For Period 1st April, 1945. to 31st March, 1946. Total to 31st March, 1946. £ £ £ Aircraft and spares 98 2,650 2,748 Airmrunition 59,468 4,322,502 4,381,970 Artillery and small-arms 2,826 777,950 780,776 Buildings 206,932 1,304,759 1,511,691 Building-materials 48,312 275,820 324,132 Camp and kitchen equipment 3,891 63,202 67,093 Chemicals and paints 2,377 7,170 9,547 Cordage, tents, and canvas 11,705 32,354 44,059 Drugs 9,523 66,623 76,146 Electrical and radio equipment . . 1,097 242,931 244,028 Foodstuffs 144,162 148,482 292,614 Furniture and office equipment . . 11,987 132,880 144,867 Machinery 12,048 290,321 302,369 Metals 11,339 171,501 182,840 M.T. vehicles and parts 2,862,621 1,255,033 4,117,654 Petroleum products 991 9,920 10,911 Photo equipment; musical instruments . 1,018 1,018 Plant, heating and lighting 2,397 42,900 45,297 Rent and hire charges 44,600 44,600 Ships 15,893 76,918 92,811 Tanks and other armoured vehicles 15,981 15,981 Textiles, hessian, fabrics, and clothing 15,722 1,851,716 3.867,438 Tools, &e. 336 32,124 32,460 Miscellaneous 54,918 100,398 155,316 Totals 3,478,643 11,269,753 14,748,396