GREATER USE OF FERTILISER

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21334, 29 November 1934, Page 14

GREATER USE OF FERTILISER

—❖ — POSSIBILITIES IN SOUTH ISLAND VISIT OF BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSIONER That a great deal of the farming country in the South Island would benefit considerably through the extended use of fertilisers, such as superphosphate, is the view hekfby Mr A. S. Gaye, of London, who is visiting New Zealand in the interests of the British Phosphate Commission. Mr Gaye is the representative in the United Kingdom for the commission. He is travelling through, the Dominion studying conditions as they a [Tec I. I.Ik: phosphate industry and will later copier with his colleagues on the commission when he reaches Australia.

Mr Gaye has travelled through southern and central Ofago and most, of the Canterbury plains south of Christchurch. He has made a particular study of agricultural country, learning of the extent to which superphosphate is being used on it at present and of prospects for its extended use in the future-, He said, in an interview last evening after his arrival in Christchurch, that he was quite sure that over a great deal of the country he had seen there was room for a considerably extended application of superphosphates. If more was used if would increase production enormously, he claimed.

Asked about, his views on irrigation, Mr Gaye said that ho had no doubt that it was necessary to include manuring with irrigation to secure Jul I results. It seemed that on the Canterbury plains irrigation even by itself would have an extraordinarily beneficial effect—a well considered scheme would work wonders. PJant Improved The British Phosphate Commission, representing the interests of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, has control of the industry which, supplies from Nauru Island and Ocean Island the raw material to those countries for th-i manufacture of superphosphates. Quite recently, Mr Gaye said. 1n..; commission had incurred very heavy expenditure in improving the plaid. both on Nauru Island and Ocean Island. This had increased Ih(> handling capacity of the harbours at both places, particularly in Nauru, where it was now possible to load 10,000 tons of rock phosphate in one day—a performance as good as any port in the world. The result of these improvements had been to increase the potential output to the extent that any improvements in demand could easily be met. During the last few years the industry had suffered from the depressed economic conditions, just as othe' industries, but there were signs of an improved demand for phosphate. The commission would be able to turn out at quite short notice 50 per cent, more rock than at present. The product of the islands under the control of the commissioners wa, the best quality phosphate rock in the world, Mr Gaye said.. Control Under Mandate It was German enterprise that first showed to the w6rld the economic possibilities of working the deposits at Nauru. A private company secured a concession and from very small beginnings worked the industry into an important unit.. After the war the British Government saw the importance of the industry and brought it under the present control. The islands arc administered under mandate to the British Empire. New Zealand and Australia take the bulk of the supplies of the phosphate, although a certain amount is sent to Europe. But high freights are against any substantial European trade. With Mr Gaye in Christchurch is his New Zealand colleague on the commission, Mr A. F. Ellis, of Auckland. With Mr Ellis he is touring New Zealand meeting fertiliser manufacturers and the representatives of harbour boards and othe- | organisations which handle Hio -phosphate in any way. He has visited Dunedin and Lyttelfon and after the North Island tour will proceed to Australia. Later he will go to the islands to study conditions there. Mr Gaye said that it unexpected that while he was in Melbourne the three commissioners (United Kingdom, Australian and New Zealand) would meet in conference. Mr Gaye has had a distinguished career in the Civil Service in Great Britain. Until March he was tlrj Commissioner of Crown Lands in the United Kingdom and had under his charge estates the value of which was between £30,000,000 and £40,000,000. He held this important post for 10 years and gave it up to accept the position on the commission. For some time he was private secretary to the presidents of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Between 1915-1919 he served in the army, being mentioned twice in despatches. Mr Gaye was in New Zealand last year on a health trip.