FERTILISER FOR FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23361, 21 June 1941, Page 12

FERTILISER FOR FARMERS

MINISTER EXPLAINS POLICY

TERMS OF CONTROL NOTICE

<P.A.) WELLINGTON. June 20. “Although it has been necessary to introduce a rationing scheme for fertilisers, the reductions imposed might have easily have been much more drastic than those envisaged in the Phosphatic Fertiliser Control notice which has recently .been gazetted,” stated the Minister for Agriculture (the Hen. J. G. Barclay). “Under the terms of the control scheme, fertiliser requirements for . crops will be reasonably met, and the supplies available for top-dressing will be distributed in the most equitable manner. "It must further be borne in mind that some fertilisers remain entirely unaffected by the notice. Such are blood and bone, bonedust, dried blood, potash, and inorganic nitrogenous fertilisers. By the use of lime, and of fertilisers at present not controlled, it will be possible for farmers to increase the tcrinage of fertiliser received by adding these to the quota of phosphate supplied, or havftig them added by the merchants or ipanufacturers. “The policy as outlined in the notice, and fhe machinery necessary for its administration, have been discussed and approved by representatives of the manufacturers’ distributors, and primary producers. Very careful consideration has been given to the information required from farmers, the object being to make the returns as simple as possible. At the same time it has been necessary to see that the return was comprehensive and covered all mixtures, as well as ‘straight’ fertilisers. “It has also been my desire to disturb as little as possible the relationship existing between merchant and purchaser, and to maintain as far as practicable the state of business dealings existing before the introduction of the scheme.

“I want to impress upon all concerned the necessity for completing and returning promptly all forfns which have to be filled in, in order that the distribution may be com* pletely successful. The accuracy of the information supplied is important, and the co-operation of all concerned is solicited. Farmers'must realise that the success and equity of our proposals depend on prompt attention to the request for returns of fertiliser used, and failure to comply in this respect will result in the individual concerned being missed from the allocations.

“Committees are being formed in each main centre to consider special cases of hardship or unusual circum--stances, but failure to complete the returns asked for cannot be classed in this category.”