asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that excessive prices are being charged by threshing mill owners in many parts of the country, and if it is his intention to have tightened up the regulation with regard to those charges; and further if he will state if any steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that efficient work is being done in all cases by the threshing mills in the various counties.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges for Threshing.
Under the Emergency Powers (No. 337) Order, 1944, the charge to be made for threshing in any particular locality is restricted to an amount not more than 12½ per cent. above the charge current in the locality in 1941-42. No evidence has been received that this limit is being exceeded.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, threshing mill owners who work for hire are obliged under the Emergency Powers (Portable Threshing Mills) Order, 1944, to have their mills licensed, and to ensure that the machines work efficiently. Tillage inspectors in the various counties inspect threshing mills and investigate complaints of indifferent threshing. So far, mills inspected were reported to be doing satisfactory work.
With regard to charges, are not the threshing mill owners compelled to charge not more than 12½ per cent. over the 1941 rate?
That is right.
Is the Minister aware that in certain parts of the country there is a charge as high as £2 per hour?
I do not know how that charge may be related to 1941, but if it exceeds the 1941 charge by more than 12½ per cent., and if particulars are supplied to the Department, the necessary action will be taken.
I am sure the Minister is aware that it is very hard for a farmer to make a report, because these machines are rather scarce and the minute a man makes a report, that finishes him for the next turn of threshing. It is not that I want to level a charge against any officials, but in my part of the country I do not believe there is any such thing as supervision as regards the condition of the mills or the charges. I think the Minister should endeavour to exercise some control over charges and the condition of the mills.
It is extremely difficult to get information about these charges and unless a farmer comes forward with definite proof, nothing can be done.
You know what the position is, do you not?
That is right.
Would the Minister be prepared to consider fixing a charge based, say, on the width of the drum?
This is a rather big question to discuss at this stage. That point has been considered over and over again. The conditions under which threshing machines work vary so much, it is impossible to make any uniform charge. In some areas they charge by the hour and in other places they charge by the day, by the sack, or by the whole job.
Will the Minister consider making these mills post up a scale of charges?
That might be considered.