ANOTHER STATE ENTERPRISE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 191, 11 February 1914, Page 5

ANOTHER STATE ENTERPRISE.

IMPLEMENT FACTORY ASKED FOB. THE PROTECTION OF FARMERS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, February 10. A deputation of country members or Parliament waited on Mr. Ashford, Mlnister of Agriculture, and asked him H consider the advisability of the Government embarking on the manufacture o! agricultural implements. Mr. Dunn said that farmers had been imposed on for years by combines and j rings among the implement manufacturers. The Government should consider the question of supplying first-hand assistance in the way of advances, and railway facilities should be given, but instead of borrowing from the Crown and handing over the money to private firms it would be better to obtain machinery direct from the Government.

The additional manufacture would only necessitate a slight enlargement of the present premises at Everleigh. The Government might also enter into competition with India in the manufacture of wheat bags, in view of the jute monopoly. Mr. Ashford replied that he had al ready a scheme in mind to place before his colleagues -the session after next. While recognising the necessity of Government intervention in the jute mono-' poly the Government was pledged in the matter of bulk handling- of wheat. He would, however, see farmers protected. ———_