PHOSPHATES FOR FARMERS

Evening Star, Issue 17328, 16 April 1920, Page 2

PHOSPHATES FOR FARMERS

A SERIOUS SHORTAGE. liack of phosphatic manures for pastures and crops is causing re-al alarm among many farmers throughout New Zealand. Some of this concern was expressed at a meeting held at Masterton this week, and men there present asked for information a-3 to how soon it is likely there will be available supplies of phosphates from Nauru. The Prime Minister was yesterday asked for information. " I hope soon i:> be able," said Mr Massey, " to announce that the purchase has been completed. I understand that the company insist on being permitted to complete their contracts, and that this is delaying the purchase arrangements. As' to immediate supplies of superphosphate, I have been communicating with the Australian Government for some time past, bnt have not yet been able to persuade the Australian Government to allow the export of superphosphates to Zealand. It may be necessary to get more equipment for dealing with the reck phosphates in this country, but- that is not certain. My 'ovm is that there ought to be separate plants' in tlie principal provincial districts, near to ports,, at which rock phosphates can be handled. I think it would be quite possible to get phosphates from Naoru before the purchase is completed; but until wo are suTe we have the plant to deal with the rock this, may not be desirable. I arranged with the managing director of a company thai if any phosphates wsre required, even if the purchase scheme fell through, we could have all that we needed, 4>ut in the meantime our capacitv for dealing with rode phosphate is very limited."