SHEEPFARMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 229, 28 September 1931, Page 5

SHEEPFARMING

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY. WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. Evidence tending to show the economic position of sheepfarmers was given in the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon during the hearing of the shearers’ dispute. The employers called evidence showing that throughout the Dominion sheepfarming was being carried on at a disadvantage. Eliminating interest, rent, and taxes, very few sheepfarmers were able to pay their working expenses. Evidence was given by H. D. Acland, president of the Sheepowners ’ Federation, who, speaking of the position of Canterbury farmers, said that he had seen a great many balance-sheets, and had found that the cost of production in a large number of cases did not leave a margin of profit. Eliminating rent and interest, there was not sufficient to carry on, and unless some adjustment were made land would go out of production. He stressed the seriousness of the position and the effect, not only to those who lived on the land, but to the townspeople also, if land did go out of production. Farmers could only go on for a definite time living on borrowed money, but that could not last '• much longer. d Evidence on similar lines was given ' bv J. Kells (Gisborne), F. Blatc.h (Southland), and F. H. Beamish (Hawke’s Bay).