FENCING WIRE FOR FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 126, 21 February 1941, Page 9

FENCING WIRE FOR FARMERS

Purchases From Overseas METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION EXPLAINED The procedure for the importation and distribution of fencing wire required bv the farming community was outlined‘last evening by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Barclay. “Since the outbreak of war many difficulties have been experienced byimporters in securing supplies of fencing wire from the United Kingdom and Australia, as these markets have been closed to New Zealand orders for some considerable time,” said the Minister. “It Inis therefore become necessary to purchase fencing wire from Canada and the United States of America, -io meet farmers’ requirements during the ensuing 12 months, my predecessor in office appointed an advisory committee, representing the various Goyernnien departments concerned, and including a nominee of the New Zealand Grain Seed and Produce Merchants Federation and a nominee of the New Zea-and Hardware Merchants’ Guild. This committee, which meets regularly m Wellington, arranges for the importation of wire for primary industries and organizes the distribution of supplies on an equitable basis within New Zealand. Fencing Material Associations. “In the main centres representatives of wire distributors have formed fencin'’ material associations, appointing a secretary and an allocation committee from their members. On _ the whole, merchants are aware of this organization and merchants desiring supplies or wire should apply to the local secretary, who will see that all past importers of wire receive a share of the wire allocated to their districts. _ Farmers and other users of fencing wire should place their orders with the local merchant with whom they have been 'in the habit of doing business. _ “The committee is confining its_ attention to fencing wire of gauges < to 10 inclusive and barbed wire. Importers of other classes of wire should apply for the necessary import licences in the usual way. “The Price Tribunal has fixed the maximum retail selling price of American plain fencing wire at 39/6 a cwt. at Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, and 40/- a cwt at Christchurch, which represents a reduction of 1/- a cwt. on the present retail prices. . “The maximum retail price of An J® rl ' can barbed wire is to be 43/- and 43, 6 a cwt. respectively, which provides a corresponding reduction in price, IM retail sale price at other centres wi.l be at these prices, plus actual transport costs. A price order 'is being issued by the Price Tribunal.”