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Agricultural Implements and Dairying Machinery Shortage of steel continued to limit the over-all output of farm implements, and while there has been some improvement in recent months, a backlog of orders still exists.. Another difficulty has been the slow delivery of castings from local foundries due primarily to shortage of labour. The production of low-pressure sprayers has increased rapidly, and their use with newly developed hormone sprays is playing an important role in the improvement of pastures. Some popular types of high-pressure orchard sprayers, previously available only from the United States, are now being manufactured in Australia. A recent development in the application of lime to farm lands calls for the use of bulk lime distributors, and it is of interest to note that locally-manufactured vehicles are meeting this requirement. There has been a notable improvement in both the numbers and types of agricultural wheel and crawler tractors available from the United Kingdom and other softcurrency sources, and the tractor population of New Zealand has reached a new highlevel. This increased mechanization of farms has directed the attention of local manufacturers toward the necessity for production of integral equipment and for alteration in design of specific implements. One factory has produced a number of integral ploughs, and it is understood that other units will undertake similar production during 1951. The activities of firms engaged in reconditioning farm implements are of considerable importance and represent a valuable contribution to the local economy. Earth-moving Equipment The local production of bulldozers, angledozers, and hydraulic loaders continues satisfactorily. Light patrol-type motor road-graders are also produced locally, while medium weight motor road-graders will be in production during 1950. There is an increasing availability of certain types of mobile excavators and allied equipment from soft-currency sources, but the United States remains the only source of supply for some of this equipment, also for the heavier types of industrial crawler tractors. Transport Trailers The desire on the part of industry for modern transport facilities suitable to our highways and complying with Transport Regulations has been reflected in a greater demand for trailer units, especially of the articulated type. Local production during the year met approximately 70 per cent, of requirements, and included farm trailers, flat tops, stock transporters, tankers, and drop-frame low loaders. The increased production capacity is now adequate for full requirements except for a few special types, but output depends on overseas supplies of steel, brake and axle assemblies. Materials Handling Equipment A steady increase is apparent in the use by industry of fork-lift trucks for the bulk handling and stacking of goods and materials. While in past years most of these vehicleswere obtained from North America, models suitable for many purposes are now available from sterling sources. Automotive Parts The recent establishment of a local company representative of several well-known United Kingdom manufacturers will increase materially the productive capacity for pistons, piston-rings, and cylinder liners.

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