SPUR TO INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27197, 28 September 1949, Page 6

SPUR TO INDUSTRY

DEVALUATION OF STERLING FARMERS AND PRODUCTION PA WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. “ The devaluation of sterling will not affect the prices of New Zealand’s primary products exported to Great Britain, but all goods from the United States will be dearer, and the farming community depends to a great extent on American machinery.” Making this statement to-day. the Dominion president of Federated Farmers, Mr W N Perry,,said that devaluation should be a spur to New Zealand to increase exports to the United States and Canada Ip earn as many of those precious dollars a.s possible. “ Since Britain will have to cut down on her imports, especially foodstuffs, from dollar areas, there is a challenge to the farmers of New Zealand toiqcreasd production so that she will not go short,” he said. Mr Perry described the principal obstacles to increased production as shortage of labour and housing on farms, lack of fertilisers, and, above all, the fear of the farmer that if ’he improved b property it might be taken from him. He repeated his advocacy of an Empire economic conference of politicians, business men, farmers, and workers to plan for increased efficiency throughout the Empire The Government would be pleased to consult with Federated Farmers wherever possible when matters affecting the farming industry were being dealt with by legislation, said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in reply to a letter from the general secretary of the federation. Mr A. P. O’Shea, in which was contained a resolution of the Dominion conference of Federated Farmers. The resolution asked that Federated Farmers be first consulted in all proposed legislation oh matters vitally affecting the farming community. Mr Fraser also acknowledged a letter asking that an Empire economic conference be considered.