PHOSPHATE NEEDS OF N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24020, 7 August 1943, Page 4

PHOSPHATE NEEDS OF N.Z.

SERIOUS POSITION SAID TO BE DEVELOPING (P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 6. The suggestion that the New Zealand and Australian Governments, together with (he British Phosphate Commissioners. should bring the seriousness of the fertiliser position before the controlling authorities was made to-day by Mr S. Irwin Crookes, chairman of the Farmers’ Fertilizer Company, in a review of the industry at the annual meeting of shareholders. Mr Crookes said there was plenty of manufacturing capacity in the fertiliser works, but output was limited by the supply of raw materials. Rationing had been in progress two years and a serious position was developing on farms because of inadequate fertilisers, declared Mr Crookes. “Already indications are that we shall be unable to supply Britain’s requirements in some primary products, and the long-continued shortage of fertilisers will precipitate a serious position on the food front.” said Mr Crookes, referring to the large decrease in the area top-dressed. The lolal acreage top-dressed in New Zealand last year was less than a quarter of the land under pasture. Therefore, great leeway would have to be made up when more plentiful supplies of fertiliser were obtainable