WOOL PACK COSTS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 13

WOOL PACK COSTS

Explanation By Mr Marshall (Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) confirmed in Parliament today that a small increase in the price of the New Zea-land-made flax woolpack has been more than offset by a substantial drop in the price of the imported article, resulting in a lower price to users. Mr J. B. Gordon (Government, Clutha) had asked whether the saving in overseas funds warranted an additional £160,000 being charged to the New Zealand sheep farmer as a subsidy to a local industry, instead of being met by the taxpayer as a whole through the Consolidated Fund. “These woolpacks are priced under an arrangement which has been in force for many years whereby the costs of imported and New Zealand made packs are pooled to give a uniform price for both kinds of packs,” Mr Marshall said. “The making of packs in New Zealand from a raw material from the land diversifies primary production, conserves overseas funds, and ensures a supply of packs should, at any time, the international situation result in inadequate supplies of jute packs being available. “The price of the imported pack has varied considerably over the years, and while it has usually been less than the New Zealand woolpack there have been occasions when the imported pack has cost more.”