WOOL RESEARCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22353, 29 August 1934, Page 4

WOOL RESEARCH

THE AMENDING LEGISLATION GROWERS SHOULD BE CONSULTED MR H. D. ACLAND’S VIEWS (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, August 28. Reference to the wool levy of 4d per bale proposed by the Scientific and Industrial Research Amendment Bill was made at the annual meeting to-day of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation by the president (Mr H. D., Acland), who criticised the proposal to tax sheepfarmers without first consulting them. He also suggested that, if any levy were to be raised or fund established, it should be large enough to ensure a good return for the money expended. “ The Scientific and Industrial Research Amendment Bill, recently introduced,” said Mr Acland, “ is apparently an endeavour to provide finance for research work to be continued by Massey and Lincoln Colleges. This matter is of vital importance to our industry, and 1 no doubt careful consideration will lie j given to the proposals in the Bill, and | with which you are all familiar at to- ' day’s meeting. . The use it is proposed to “make of the finance under the levy is set but in a memorandum which was sent out from the Scientific and Industrial Research Department recently.” Apart from the merits of the proposals tlieiiiselves,- they should consider what, in his opinion, was a more serious aspect than that of the actual imposition of the 4d a bale, which in itself might possibly not be a serious matter to the average sheepowner. .But the principle to which he wished particularly to refer was that of a Government department drafting and promoting legislation to provide funds from industVies, no matter which, through direct taxation without apparently any suggestion of referring the question to those who would be compelled to pav the tax proposed. This, was, in'his opinion, the most serious aspect of the present proposals, and one which might possibly be extended by the departihent, not only to their industry, but all other industries in the Dominion. He trusted that this point with regard to the Bill would not ■be lost sight of. If the people it was proposed to tax were to be given an opportunity of expressing their views before the tax was imposed, his remarks would not apply, and he trusted that something along the lines of a ballot or referendum would be arranged for before the tax was imposed. If this was done the minority would at least have no cause for complaint. The Bill provided for research only within New Zealand with a 25 per cent, allowance 1 for research only outside the Dominion. No provision appeared to have been made for publicity or propaganda work in the interests of Dominion woolgrowers. If a levy was to be justifiable, it should be of sufficient size to provide for research on an international basis, and provide for avenues of research, to be widened to embrace diseases of sheep, propaganda, etc. It would appear that a larger sura than was provided for in the Bill would be justified, that was, if sheepowners through the ballot expressed their willingness to be levied on for research work. He suggested that if a levy was required it would be preferable to increase the amount to an extent likely to ensure that sheepowners will receive value for their taxation. MEAT HANDLING The Government had also introduced amending legislation with regard to slaughtering and inspection of meat. The aim of this legislation was to ensure that no producer for export should be refused the right to kill and forward his own output on consignment. He understood that New Zealand-owned companies were prepared to give a definite pledge, that their doors would be kept wide open j for genuine producers wishing to have their own stock killed on their own account, and shipped Home, and that these companies would be prepared to allow such producers the benefits of their respective distributing organisations at Home for the usual rates of commission. If this pledge was given, it would appear to. provide an adequate safeguard to producer exporters so far as Dominionowned freezing works were concerned. The Government, however, apparently felt it to bo necessary to ensure that I this obligation should be . imposed on ! overseas companies owning freezing i works in New Zealand as well as locally I owned companies. This would appear to be necessary with a view to ensuring that no section of producer,exporters in j any part of' the Dominion should be unduly handicapped. The Bill also gave the Minister power in those cases where he considered it essential in the interests of fair competition for stock purchased from farmers on the hoof for exI port, to impose a similar condition on ! any works with respect to. stock puri, chased for export by private individuals ; or companies purchasing stock in competition With freezing companies. The principle underlying the Bill, said Mr Acland, was one which he thought would be supported generally by tncat producers, that was, the maintenance of fair competitive prices to the farmer with regard to purchases of stock - on the hoof for export. Farmers generally would appreciate the necessity for giving every support to New Zealand-owned freezing companies, where possible, in preference to companies using foreign capital.—(Applause.) i "■ I I i ‘ , j !