AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23941, 7 May 1943, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

REPLY TO STATEMENT ON SHORTAGE

MANUFACTURING CAPACITY

New Zealand manufacturers could carry more of the burden of farni machinery production if steel an “ ' our supplies were increased, according to a statement yesterday by the president of the New Zealand Implement Manufacturers’ Association (Mr T. «. Lawn). He was commenting on a state-, ment made at the meeting of the North Canterbury Primary Production Council that there was a shortage of sued machinery in the South Island. “There is a world-wide shortage or agricultural machinery owing to steel being diverted to production of munitions and ships,” said Mr Lawn, 'The shortage is likely to become more severe on this account as time goes on. The reduction in manufacture of agricultural machinery in the U.S.A. Is 80 per cent, on pre-war production, and practically all British production is being used in, England. In fact, England importing whatever she can of auen machinery. , “New Zealand manufacturers could carry more of the burden of production of machinery could steel and labour supplies to them be increased,’ be added. "Unfortunately, many _ farmers still expect to get their machinery ‘oil the shelf instead of advising factories of their requirements well ahead so that arrangements could be made wild the Ministry of Supply to procure the materials of manufacture.

“There is still a very large measure of production of agricultural machinery in New Zealand, but with the buildup in agricultural production there has been a greater demand for certain types and classes of machinery. Ij manufacturers could be made aware of what farmers’ requirements were many months ahead, arrangements could no doubt be made for greater supplies to be manufactured. The New Zealand manufacturers have sufficient plant capacity to look after New Zealand! needs in this regard.’’