BILL DEFENDED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 284, 28 August 1934, Page 10

BILL DEFENDED

Improvement of Sheep and Wool MR. FORBES’S REVIEW . Challenge of Synthetic Products By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, August 27. A defence of the Sheep and Wool Improvement Bill now before the A. and P. Committee of the House, authorising a levy on wool for investigation and publicity, was made by the Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to-night. Although he was pleased to note the .support of some sections of sheepfarmers, Mr. Forbes pointed out that there was a big responsibility on those who were opposing this opportunity for wool-producers to combine for action in the interests of their industry. From the criticism which the Bill had met there was evidently some misunderstanding of its intentions and provisions. It was not in any way a Government-controlled scheme, but left whatever action was considered necessary entirely in the hands of the woolgrowers themselves. The Bill made provision for a fund which was being placed at the disposal of a committee on which the industry itself predominated. seeing that wool-growers comprised five out of the committee of seven. The remaining members, drawn from the Departments of Agriculture and Research, associated with the committee, ensured that it would have at its disposal all the resources of these departments. Synthetic Products. Producers must realise that Germany, Italy and other Industrial countries promoted the use of synthetic products manufactured by themselves instead of wool, and at present they were using every effort and were calling in the best brains possible to achieve that end. Briefly, what was aimed at was the provision of a fund, which might be termed a wool defence fund, which would be placed in, the hands of an organisation representative of the industry itself, to be used to safeguard the interests of wool against the onslaught of alternative textiles and to Increase its use in other directions. The period of the duration of the Bill was set down as five years. He felt that the small amount required by the levy of 4d. ner bale represented but a trivial proportion of the extra amount', which wool-growers were receiving by way of increased returns through the rate of exchange. It made available, however, a fund which could be used for publicity and for the acquisition of information regarding improvements likely to be beneficial to- the industry. The levy was unlikely to become a burden upon growers. The average size of the New Zealand flock was about 1000 sheep, and the levy therefore payable by the ordinary sheepfarmer would amount to only a few shillings. Such a charge could not be regarded as onerous. A comiyittee had been set up in London to promote an Empire-wide programme in connection with wool. He had received a letter from Lord Barnby supporting the suggestions and asking for the co-operation of New Zealand and othdr Dominions with Great Britain in this programme. At present, in a world abounding, in International obstacles to trade, it would be satisfactory if at least New Zealand and Great Britain could cooperate on problems affecting the welfare of both. One of the difficulties appeared to be that sheep-farmers did not realise sufficiently that there were several definite problems for improvement, but he would point out that a very large proportion, fully 80 per cent., of the wool received prices fully 2d. a pound less than superior grades. The loss in this direction alone to the country was approximately £1,500,000. The legislation proposed In the Bill provided for the investigation of these problems by a competent committee and empowered the Government bn their recommendation to provide funds for dealing with these problems. The funds were provided for any approved purposes designed to increase the demand for wool or ’‘for .the investigation, collection and dissemination of information relating to sheep and wool.” ■ , / Disease and Nutrition. Mr. Forbes said he was in full agreement with the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union regarding the importance of disease problems in the South Island, and, in addition, he felt that nutritional problems in many districts exercised a profound interest on the returns received by the sheep-fanner. Within all types and classes of wool uniformity was highly desirable, and he felt that there was a very strong challenge indeed In this regard from synthetic fibres. In conclusion, the Prime Minister stated he had had ample opportunity during the last few years to see many sides of the problem. In consequence he felt his responsibility to the industry amply justified his introduction of the measure, which would enable .it to undertake active steps to effect such improvements in all aspects of the industry as would enable it to combat successfully the competition which seemed probable in future. The matter was, however, in the hands of the industry itself. He had no intention to force the Bill on .to the industry if a majority was against it.