PRODUCTION PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 14

PRODUCTION PROBLEM

'HELPING THE FAKMEft

NEED FOR FERTILISERS

The problem of supplying fertilisers to fawners during the depression was discussed in the House oC RoprcscntnLives yesterday afternoon, on the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates), who moved the adjournment of the House in order to discuss an urgent matter —

namely, the necessity, for the prosperity of the Dominion, for the i'nvmcrs to" have assistance from tlio Uuveruuicnt to enable tliem to apply ilh! usual rm.'int.itios of fertilisers to their farms. Members of all parties agreed that it was necessary, in order to kenp up production, for-the farmers to be assisted in the purchase of fertilisers, and the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. A. J. Murdoch) outlined the Government's policy. Continuing his speech after "The Post" had gone to press, the Leader of the Opposition (the Eight Hon. J. O. Coatos) said he know for a fact that in cases in which the farmers had ceased to fertilise the butter-fat had decreased by one-third in one year. It was essential the the farmers should receive financial assistance. The Government was closely concerned in what was one of the major problems—the price of fertilisers —and it might be possible for the Government to bring about a. reduction. A conference should be called of manufacturers, merchants, distributors, dairy companies, and stock and station agents, for the purpose of going into the question of price in the first place, and the system of credit in the second place. It might cost the Government £100,000 or £150,000, but they had to remember that the welfare of every man, woman, and child was wrapped up in. the problem. Mr. 11. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christchurch. East): "Have- you just wakened up to it? AYe have been telling you that for a long time." Mr. W. L. Martin (Labour, Raglan) said'that thero were thousands of acres which had gone back to second growth as the result of being abandoned, because the Reform. Government had not realised the serious need for'fertilisers. The present Government showed the same failure to 'realise the position. When the Bank of New Zealand was in difficulties, Mr. Seddon came to its as-, sistance. The farmers to-day were in the position the bank was in in the past, and required Government assistance. 1 He advocated £500,000 being set asido for this purpose. The intermediate credit system was inadequate, to deal with the position, and neither were the dairy companies able to cope with it. At the present time thousands of farmers had to cancel their orders for fertilisers because of the financial stress they wore passing through. He urged the Prime Minister to give the matter much more serious consideration than it had been given in the past. LIBERAL POLICY WANTED. Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford) appealed to the Government to be more 'liberal to the farmers than had.been the caie. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (United, Waitomo) said the whole problem of the supply' of fertilisers should be made the subject of a searching inquiry, right from tlr# source of supply to the farm. Fertiliser was an insurance, not only to the man on tho land but to the people who advanced money on rural secun--IBMr C. E. Macmillan (Reform, Taiiranga) said it was pleasing to know that the whole House was at last awake to the importance of fertilisers. It fertilisers were eliminated the result would be disastrous. ' There would be less freights for the railways, less work for the transport workers, and less business for the commercial community. Mr E' J. Howard (Labour, Ohristciiurch South) said that they rightly subsidised the goJd prospector and they should do the same to the tanner. It should be their endeavour to build un the Agriculture' Department, rather than cut it down. There was plenty of scqpo for instruction work on farms by experts.

PARMEES' PREFERENCE. ■ Mr F 'Tjyo (United, Waikato) saiil that the growth of exports in primary products had coincided with the increased sales of fertilisers. 'Hie Ci-ov-ernmont had placed £100,000 under tho Bural Intermediate Credit Board tor tho purchase of fertilisers, but the farmers preferred a system of discounting -promissory notes. ■ . Mr W. H. Field (Reform, Otaki) said that tile real problem -was to keep the men on their farms. It was essential that the assistance should be givea quickly in order that there should be a good growth in the eatly spring. SOIL SURVEY SUGGESTED. Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour, Auckland West) said a.soil survey was desirable, so that farmers would not be guessing as to what was necessary an the way of fertilisers. The whole question was one of finance, and he thought ■ the Government should take direct action. The Government should take the responsibility of authorising the Agriculture Department to supply fertilisers where they were needed, it was no use leaving the matter to a board or committee, as that would be tantamount to shelving the whole questloMr CH. Clinkard (United, BotoTiia) 'referred to the vital importance of the satisfactory supply of fertilisers, especially so far as the northern districts we concerned. The increased results from the use of artificial manures were simply wonderful, ami in many cases production had more than "ai/V A. Young (Reform, Hamilton) said tho' Leader of the Opposition had rendered a. signal service to the country by bringing the matter before the Government. Everything possible, should be done to increase the productive valuo of the land.

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. The Minister of Agriculture (the lion A. J. Murdoch) said that all realised the importance of fertilisers and the importance of the farmers to the country. It had been saul that the Government had clone nothing, but a tronuinc, honest attempt had been made to meet, the position, and would succeed in the very near future^ It had been stated that the costs or fertilisers wore too higli, but it had been pointed out to him by manufacturers that the costs of superphosphates were lower to-day than in 1014. It had been suggested that advances should be made without security, but the Government fclfc that it was necessary -that it j should have a small portion of the so-1 euritv A sum of £100,000 had been placed at the disposal of the Rural Credits Board, and he did not think that Iho House wished that that money should be handled in other than a businesslike manner. The B.irnl Credits Board was the best, medium for helping the farmers. The dairy companies had told him that all they desired was further backing, and this was what the Government was giving. Mr. Martin: "They waul, the security as well." Mr. Murdoch: "They claim that they have the necessary security, lint want us to provide the money Cor them to carry on." Ho said that the Govern-.j ment. also proposed to extend the time for vop;ivnifiil. There was very little rlinVmir'e l.ri we.-,! the rust ul! fertil-■ Ucmw iii K.r -I:: ii.l when tin- r.'liilhT i

strengths and the most of sea transport wnre taken into consideration. A suggestion hail been made that the Government had not tackled the problem seriously, but it had held conferences with daily companies, fanners, merchants, arid manufacturers, iind had heard suggestions and had made suggestions.' However, every one who approached the Ciovcrnmunl; wanted money rind the Government did not have the money. .It. had also been proposed that "tho Government should make money available regardless of the security, but stock and station agents had advised the Government not to interfere, as they had.many fanners on their books and were prepared to carry them on. The Government proposed to amend the rural credit regulation in. order to make the lending provisions more clastic. The Government, was living the whole question the fullest consideration,- and was prepared lo accept suggestions from any members of tho House.