WOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 9

WOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

PROTEST FROM MANAWATU ALLEGED CUT AND DRIED SCHEME. “INSULT TO FARM COMMUNITY.” PROFESSOR PEREN’S DEFENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. A protest at the proposal emanating from the conference of sheep breeders at Palmerston North asking for legislation to levy a tax of threepence a bale on wool to finance the wool improvement scheme was entered by the Manawatu A. and P. Association to-day. Mr. M. A. Conway in sponsoring the protest said the proposal left an opening for a greater levy than would appear the case as the Meat Board would be empowered to subsidise the scheme to whatever extent was necessary. The scheme was an insult to the farming community and would result in additional inspectors in a country already burdened with them. Mr. A. Wheeler (Marton) declared the scheme was a cut and dried one which had been sprung on the conference of sheep farmers called for another purpose. The onus was on Massey College and the Government to get rid of the impression that the scheme was their illbegotten offspring. Exemption of the South Island would lead to dissention. Mr. Wheeler suggested the scheme could be better and more cheaply administered by enlarging the functions of the Meat Board. A total of £96,000 was spent in wool research in England last year and the only new use for wool discovered was the finding of a new sole for boots. Professor Peren, ■ Massey College, supported the scheme, re-quoting the original arguments and adding that the certification of rams would not be allowed to bring about a shortage and consequent rise in price. The scheme was concerned only with rank faults. There was no intention of dictating to the farmers. He denied that the proposals were cut and dried, the idea being to set the ball rolling. He would be glad to get the South Island into the scheme.