N.Z. Manufactures Criticised

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 16

N.Z. Manufactures Criticised

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 22. A Manawatu delegate hit out at New Zealand-made farm requisites at the Natrona Party annual conference today. Mr B. G

Rowland told a committee considering * remit calling for stabilisation of farm costs that farmers had to keep their children dear when straining fencing wire made locally.

“New Zealand shovel handles are not made for well-built men. Itiey don’t cc<mpa>re with American or Canadian handles. You use three or four New Zealand handles to one American," he said.

“You expect the Labour fellows to lean on their shovels. but we don't," he added. It was passible to see through wool packs, but the Government subsidised the Foxton flaxworks by £ 106.000 a year, he said. “No industry should subsidise another industry.” he said. “The primary industry can’t pass the costs on."

Mr J. Malone (Nelson) said the Government had taken “panic action" over the discovery of residues in meat and should have known before of the tolerances on the market concerned. He said that this had added to the cost of the industry. Mr Malone added that the £605.000 tuberculosis eradication scheme added to farmers' costs and was not doing the job. Mr S. Smith, a former Minister of Agriculture, opposing the remit, said that the Government had done much to reduce farm costs through increased allowances for depreciation and

for fencing, draining and tondress ing? "The Government is enthusiastic about reducing farm costs,” he Mid. “I don’t think we should give the Oppoeition a handle to luh us with,” added Mr Smith. Mr Rowland: Give Labour the weapon*. We have the ammonation. There should be less duty on farmers' needs. There should be lea capital works carried on by the Government until production increased, he Mid. ' There should be no new industry that will increase farmers’ costa,” Mr Rowland added.