VALUABLE SUBSIDY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 49, 21 November 1932, Page 11

VALUABLE SUBSIDY

Fertilisers for Farmers DAIRY HERDS INCREASE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Stratford, Nov. IS. , According to a statement made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, in the course of an address here, there is a very satisfactory increase in the number of dairy cows in the Dominion. On January 31 this year the total was 1,702,070, compared with 1,601,633 last year. The Taranaki figures were 239,563 and 233,563 respectively. "When this increase is remembered, the necessity for the greatest possible use of manures need not be emphasised,” said Mr. Masters, who added that the concessions granted by the Government regarding the carriage, of lime and fertilisers amounted during the past three years to £483,000. The falling off In the use of manures -was so marked in 1931 that the Government was faced with the necessity of immediate action. It therefore decided to subsidise the manufacture of superphosphate, which resulted in a reduction in the charge to farmers of 15/- a ton at the present time. Mr. Masters quoted figures to show the increased use of fertilisers as a result of the fall in price consequent on the Government subsidy. During the period January to June, last year 152.000 tons was used, showing a decrease from the 1929 figures of 76,000 tons, but for the same period of the present year 222,000 tons was used, the decrease from 1929 being only 6000 tons.