FARMING AFFAIRS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 August 1946, Page 6

FARMING AFFAIRS

(This column is suppliecl weekly by Feclerated Farmers of N.Z. The information given is offleial, but any views expressed aa'e those of tne Federation and are not neoessariiy those of this neiwspaper.) Piston Eings for Tractors Tliere is 110 likelihood of any increase beiug granted in tlie present allocation of iniports of piston rings for tractors, cars and trucks. This information has been received from the Alinister of Customs in - reply to representations from the federation that more should be allowed, as the iocally-inade articie vvas not satisfaetory. The Alinister explained tliat wlien a basic allocation for import's was being iixed in IS145, investigations as to the quality of the locally-niade articie- were made from Government departments. Tliey liad 110 conipiaints to make and so 110 increased iniports were allowed. The Alinister of Indu'stries and Commerce, to wliom the same coniplaint was made, said tliat general satisfaction liad been expressed at the quality of the local products. A new factory was being buiit in Wellington and better foundry jirocessing would result in further improved quality. Bulk Power Purcliases To liead ofiice representations. tliat rural power boards should be given the opportunity of obtaining bulk electric

pqwer at the same rate as was cliarged to urban boards, tlie Alinister of Works has replied that 110 discrimination was made between rural and urban distributing autliorities. A standard tarill was cliarged tlirougliout New Zeaiand to all autliorities buying in bulk from tlie Government system. The tarill' was 011 a niaxiiuuin deniand basis and tlie authority was cliarged for the highest peak deniand in eacli quarter, and tlio price was stepped down as the quantity bought increased. Beeause tlie number of units purchased pe-r k.v.a. of niaxiniuiu deniand varied between distributiug autliorities, tlie price per unil bought by soiue rival boards vvas mvver than town autliorities. In oue year emied Alarcli 31, lt)45, 11. power boards paid iess per iinit than did W'elTiiigton City, for instance. Ashburton Power Board paid less per unit of power than did eitlier Wellington or Christchurch. The rates of power purcliased to the lotal cost per unit sold varied as much as HO per cent. between distributing autliorities. Milk Treatment Last vveek's conference of the Town ALitk Producers' Federation supported the principle of producers Jiaving Uic right to own treating liouses. Where producers were not atile or prepured to exercise that right, the conference reconimeiided tlieui to endeavour to meet tlie situation by retaining at least 50 per cent. ovvnersliip and control eitlier m association with trade interests or the local aut liorit: v. A WJiriiiinr i*'«i s; I

issued tu producer ussociations again.st agreeing to arraiigcments whicli might, in ofl'ect, be or lead to Governnient ovviiership of milk treating liouses. Rabbit Netting Any shortage of rabbit netting was noi uue to iack'of iniport licenses, said the Alinister of ludustries and C0111mOfc'e, iiT ircf)'l\'-r,tbrr a'" Hoi'iTin ion CouiiciJ requesl 011 tlie matter. Licenses liad been issued i'or amounts far in excess of the orders tliat could be placed by imporiers. Tlie Governnient vvas giving every assistance to mercliants iu their eH'orls to obtaiu supplies and tlie present shortage liad notliing vvhatever to do with ihe amount of iniport licenses issued. Chilling Town Milk A request from the Town Alilk Producers' Federation that jd per gallon extra be paid for town milk chilied 011 faruis vvas not acceded to in full by the Government. An allovvanee of .33d per gallon vvas granted. Taxation Increases The rise in taxation to its present levoi cauuot be attributcd entirelv to vvur taxation, says a statement issued by ihe statistical department at iiead oilice of the federation. From 1930 to 1933 there* had also been lurge increases. Land tax, for instance, increased over t hat poriod by 131 per cent., incoiue tax by 104 per cent., and total taxation by 43 per cent. Bince tlie war ended the only reduction in taxation has been Ud in the pouml from National Becurity tax. Land tax rose from £458,873 in 193(5 to £1,058,499 in 1939, but has since dropped to £95H,t5H2 in 1945, an increase of 108 per cent. over the 10 years.