“UNSAFE TO MEDDLE”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11825, 5 January 1933, Page 2

“UNSAFE TO MEDDLE”

RATE OF EXCHANGE,

MOTOR TRADERS’ VIEWS

The possible result of an increase in the rate of exchange on the motor traders of the Dominion are set out in a circular drafted by the New Zealand Motor Trades Association. “The motor trade is especially interested, as it i s hoping for increased business as general conditions improve, and if some reduction in the heavy dutie's can be secured,” says the circular; “An increase in the rates of exchange at the present time must increase the cost and prove a further restriction to buying which would not be offset, at- least- for some time, by the increased price received by the farmer for his produce. “It is not generally known thatthe rate of exchange on some of the English cars imported is pegged by the manufacturer below the present market rate as a help in stimulating the demand for English' cars. An increase in the rate as proposed would make it impossible for the English manufacturer to continue to carry this loading, and the cost of English cars would he saddled with a higher increase than that it was proposed to adopt ‘‘The question of exchange is intricate, and is not generally understood, and there are strong arguments. both fior and against a high rate of exchange which under the iwoukl be beneficial. We believe, howover, the rate be it high or low should be fixed by the law of -supply and demand, and that it- is unsafe for politicians to meddle with it. We suppose members of Parliament had the best intentions in raising this question at the present time, but their action has had a most unsettling effect on business, which was difficult enough without this further complication.” .. ....

A NEW ANIMAL

A new Canadian animal, with many of the qualities of domestic cattle and the hardy winter-surviving stamina of tho North American bison, is being developed by' the Dominion Ministry of Agriculture at- the Wainwright National Park. .. These grandchildren of buffalo and domestic cattle ancestry are called cattalo and the cattalo herd will perpetuate itself. The experiments were started back an 1594 by Mr Boyd of Bobcaygeon, Ontario, when it was feared that the buffalo was doomed to extinction, in North America- It was believed that if the new race of cattle could be established, a great impetus would be given to the live stock industry. _ In 1915, the Dominion Government. took over Mr Boyd’s 20 head, of hybrids and eat-taloe's and have since continued the experiments. The cattalo.has a hide similar to that of the buffalo in quality, durability. thickness of hair and general warmth. It is rugged and faces storms not drifting with the storm - like domestic anhnlas. ; Like the buffalo it can forage and thrive on comparatively poor pasture.