Freeing Of Farm Imports Pleases

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30715, 2 April 1965, Page 1

Freeing Of Farm Imports Pleases

“Farmers will welcome the exemption from import licensing of agricultural tractors, header harvesters, mowers, corn-pickers and hay-balers announced this week by the Minister of Customs. (Mr Shelton),” the chairman of the Dominion agriculture section of Federated Farmers (Mr G. A. Nutt) said last evening.

“It was a recommendation of last year’s Agricultural Development Conference that all imported farm equipment which did not compete with that made by local manufacturers should be exempted | from licensing. Mr Shelton’s announcement goes a long way towards meeting the i recommendation. I “In the long run the exemption from import licens- ■ ing of the wide range of imports of all categories must benefit everyone whether the imports are textiles, foodstuffs or machinery. The decision will lead to a more competitive situation in many import, sectors and may well be reflected in lower consumer prices. It is a move in the right direction. “In the farm sector, agricultural tractors and the harvesting equipment are substantial

items in farm expenditures. Exemption from licensing should mean that the supply position is adequate in the future. It has not always been so. At the moment there is a shortage throughout New Zealand of the crawlertype 50 to 60 horsepower tractors used in hill country development work; Last season, too, in districts outside development areas, certain makers of hay balers were well below farmers’ requirements.

“In view of the criticism by farmers over the years that prices in New Zealand of imported farm equipment have been too high compared with prices in the country of origin the decision will be especially welcome. Some farm equipment imports may be more competitive in the future too,” said Mr Nutt.