FERTILIZER SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 125, 22 February 1944, Page 4

FERTILIZER SUPPLY

Farmers Getting Only Half Of Quota

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 21. Because of the inadequate supply of railway trucks three large fertilizer companies in Auckland are able to deliver only half their allocated quota. In some cases firms are still working on December orders. Even when the full ration of fertilizer is available, farmers contend that it is insufficient to meet their requirements, and with only half of this coming forward the position is most acute, particularly in view of the present decline in dairy production. One large Auckland fertilizer company is limited to 20 trucks a day, which enables them to dispatch only 4000 tons of fertilizer a month, while their normal deliveries are 9000 tons, which is their rationed quota. The position is stated to be so acute that it is not known when many farmers will obtain deliveries of their autumn manure. Orders are about two months behind, though at this time last year deliveries were fairly well up-to-date.

It also is stated that the company is finding it most difficult to obtain supplies of serpentine rock, though the material is stacked up at the various works awaiting railage. Other firms are in the same position and have had to explain to their clients that delivery of much-needed fertilizers has been delayed owing to the shortage of railway trucks. The opinion was expressed that, as the farmer is working on the bare rationed minimum, the least that could have been expected was that every effort would have been made to sec he obtained it without delay. The shortage of manpower was another difficulty, but it was useless complaining about this till more trucks were available. When that position arose it was hoped some provision could be made for the necessary labour. Farming interests are most perturbed at this latest difficulty in' the way of maintaining production. It is pointed out that, while this is not the first occasion on which railway trucks have been in short supply, the . need for fertilizer was never more urgent. Strong opinions have been expressed by farmers, who point, out it is a small thing to ask that fertilizers should be given preference, to certain classes of goods which axe being carried on the railways, as no doubt many arc not required so urgently as manure.