MACHINERY FOR FARMS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 19

MACHINERY FOR FARMS

Complaints Of High Cost (N.Z. Press Association) MASTERTON. June 8. The htgfh cost of agricultural madnihery and gpare parte was Ute subject of a heated discusrion at the annual conference of the agricuhtural produce section of Federated Fanners in Masterton yesterday. It was said that not Only are spare parts for farm implements retailed at very high prices, but the tractors, harvesters and other implements themselves are sold in New Zealand at twice the retail price in Britain. A remit that the cost structure of certain essential items of furtn machinery be investigated was carried. “We all know we are being taken for a ride. This machinery is essential for our industry,” said Mr P. O'Rourke (Hawke’s Bay), whi seconded the remit. "How much more money dio we have to earn before we,, can pay fot a header worth £3400? Something like £7OOO before tax is taken out. After finds ng these coots we have to put our produce on the market in Engfend and We are not subsidised. ” Mr A. L. Mulholland (North Canterbury) said hydraulic equipment, of which there

Was a large proportion in some machine®, was subject to a heavy duty to protect local industry. The meeting agreed to investigate this also. The section secretary (Mr A. G. Dawboh) said an ininvestigation would only tell them that so much was put on fot freight, so much for insurance, profit and so on. The remit was carried.