FERTILIZER RATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 258, 28 July 1941, Page 6

FERTILIZER RATION

The efficiency of the manure rationing plan announced by the Minister of Agriculture may depend largely upon the extent of the powers granted to the district committees. Apparently there will be a reserve of phosphate to meet cases of hardship, and it is not difficult to see that it will be needed. In cases where farmers have taken up larger holdings it would be unfair —if production is to be maintained and the development work not lost—for the farmer to be restricted to 40 per cent, of his average purchases of manure over the last two years. In many other instances men on the land, in response to the appeal for increased production, at once proceeded to bring in fairly large areas. If this land is not to go back, then manures must be applied. What might have been an ample supply for the farm in 1939 or 1940 would be insufficient for the larger area now under grass. What steps have been taken for the development of the serpentine rock deposits in the Dominion? These, if properly treated, may easily prove to be of exceptional value to the men on the land, especially as the purchases would not reduce the gross quantity of phosphate that could be ordered. The lime industry was the subject of an investigation by a special committee not so very long ago and the report should provide some indication of bow increased output could be secured. The supply of phosphate for New Zealand from Nauru and Ocean Islands was estimated to be 404,000 tons last year, and lack of shipping, together with damage done by the enemy to the loading plant, will reduce it seriously. It would be of interest to primary producers and those engaged in the fertilizer industry if the Minister would review the position in some detail during the session, for New Zealand production depends to a great extent on the steady supply of suitable manures. Last year the United Kingdom, it was estimated, would take 40,000 tons of phosphates from Nauru and Ocean Island and other countries 126,000 tons, apart from the 677,000 tons for Australia. As it is unlikely that it will be possible to ship to Britain and other distant parts, the Dominion may be able to secure a larger quantity than is now estimated. The shortage is the direct result of enemy action and must be faced.