asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the acute shortage of harvesting and threshing machinery; and if he can hold out any hope of effecting an improvement in the present position.

I am aware that there is a shortage of harvesting and threshing machines in some districts in the country. Arrangements are being made for the importation of a limited number of self-binders and threshing sets and for their location in areas in which there is a shortage. It is hoped that these machines will arrive in time for the coming harvest.