AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 347, 25 March 1911, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

FARMERS OPPOSE INCREASED PROTECTION. At a meeting of the North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on Wednesday the Ashburton branch forwarded the following resolution: —• "That, having noticed in the report of the employers' and employees' meeting the discussion on the desirableness of increased protection in the agricultural implement trade, this branch is of opinion that such protection is contrary to the interests of the farming community and it asks the New Zealand executive to give the matter careful consideration." Mr G. W. Leadley (Ashburton) remarked that it was quite on the boards that the implement makers were dissatisfied with the present position and were seeking further protection, and in order to secure it were prepared to join forces with the Labour unions in appoaching the Government. The implement people mentioned a 33 l-3rd per cent, duty as being required, but it was not clear whether they meant an additional 33 l-3rd per cent, or that the duty should be raised to that amount. Fie could not see that the duty would do any good. The fact of the matter was that the cost of making impernents was not increasing; it was the cost of selling, incidentals, etc., that was making the business unprofitable. He understood it cost anything up to 27 per cent, to do the selling. Before the makers asked for the added duty they should cut down the selling expenses, and alter their methods of management. Mr R. B. Luscombe said hj? sent to America for an oil engine to a firm that did not appoint agents, its agents being the people that bought its implements. This firm said it cost as much to sell an implement as to make one, and its system was that supposing an article was quoted at £IOO, that price was never altered, but the discount was changed, varying from 20 to 90 per cent. By sending to this firm he saved 55 per cent, on his oil engine. It was decided, "That the secretary ascertain full particulars as to what is intended by the implement makers."