MACHINERY FOR FARMS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 18

MACHINERY FOR FARMS

N.Z. Difference In Price

(N.Z. Press Association) NELSON, June 12.

Why did the New Zealand farmer have to pay £3200 for a piece of agricultural machinery which the British farmer could buy for £1800? asked Mr F. W. Dunlop (Southland) at the conference of the agriculture section of Federated Farmers in Nelson today. He quoted many similar examples of price comparisons and said even allowing for freight charges the difference was far too great. “Why, when the New Zealand landed cost is £l9OO, does a 'arm machine cost the farmer here’ more than £3000?

“One can only assume the difference represents the cut for assembly and distribution.”

Many speakers voiced similar wide price differences and one said an American-made machine which could be bought in Britain for £B3O, including freight charges, cost £l2lO in New Zealand. Mr P. O’Rourke (Hawke’s Bay) said there was a grave suspicion among New Zealand farmers that they were being “taken for. a ride.” “The New Zealand farmer cannot get labour, and his only alternative is machinery which he cannot afford to buy,” he said. The chairman, Mr G. A. Nutt (Canterbury), said two surveys of the price differences had already been undertaken, but nothing had happened after them. The conference decided to seek the help of the Deplartmemt of Industries and Commerce.

Next year’s conference will be= held *n Hawke’s Bay.

Name For Coins.— A suggestion by the president of the Mount Maunganui Chamber of Commerce (Mr D. A. Clarke) that the chamber ask the national body of the Esperanto movement to NewZealand to suggest names for decimal coinage, was approved ait the chamber's general meeting last night.— (P.A.)