FARM MACHINERY

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6100, 10 September 1947, Page 2

FARM MACHINERY

OPPOSITION TO IMPORTATION STAND BY MANUFACTURERS Importation of agricultural implements, which could be made in N£w Zealand, a country which had a full and well-established implement manufacturing industry, would amount to a useless frittering away of _ dollars at the present critical time. This opinion was expressed by Mr R. E. Dawson, acting-secretary of the New Zealand Agricultural _ Implement Manufacturers’ Federation. Mr Dawson said his attention had been drawn to a question asked by Mr J. J. Maher, M.P. for Otaki, of the Minister of Customs, Mr Nash, inquiring if the Minister would facilitate importation of farm machinery, such as harrows, ploughs, hayrakes, etc., from abroad. Mr Nash had replied that consideration was being given to the question of issuing more licenses, and in view of the need for more production it was proposed to continue that course. Preference would be given to imports from the United Kingdom and, where these were not forthcoming, other sources would be tapped. Mr Dawson said there was a woiddwide shortage of agricultural, implements at the present time, and imports of implements from the United Kingdom were almost, if not completely, out of the question at the moment. “Britain has urgent domestic need for all implements she can produce. Failing Britain, imported implements would have to come from the dollar areas,” he added. “Such a course would seem to be a stupid waste of dollars, when the New Zealand agricultural implement manufacturers are quite capable of handling the demand for most of the implements mentioned b' r Mr Maher provided they have adequate supplies of steel and 'other raw materials.” Despite world-wide shortages, the steel -osition was becoming slightly easier in New Zealand owing to .an imnrovement iri the shipping situation, and production would improve correspondingly. A greater and steadier supply of steel and other raw materials would help the New Zealand industry catch up on arrears of orders.