Fertiliser Works In South Island: Another Required?

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 September 1950, Page 2

Fertiliser Works In South Island: Another Required?

“The chief trouble regarding the shortage of superphosphate at Hornby works is due to the fact that men are put off, and they cannot be got back when they are needed,” stated Mr J. Mulcare at a meeting of Federated Farmers (West Coast) yesterday. Mr Mulcare was referring to a suggestion from the North Canterbury branch of Federated Farmers that an investigation be made into the possibility of opening an additional fertiliser works in Canterbury or Westland to help to serve the districts. Mr W. Martin (Westport): Does it mean that transport and labour are going to be divided among the two factories, instead of the one factory. The bottleneck in transport has been one of the big problems. We certainly want more superphosphate. “And more competition too,” suggested a member. Was the shortage due to the fact that phosphate rock could not be obtained? asked Mr J. R. Silcock (Inangahua). , Mr H. D. Beckett (chairman): No, there is plenty of rock available. “We were so short of phosphate atone stage that they were going to cut out West Coast supplies altogether, said Mr J. Mulcare. Mr Malcolm Wallace pointed out that it was fortunate that the West Coast peak demand period did not coincide with the peak time in Canterbury. The needs of the South Island were fully realised. He added that superphosphate was desperately short in the North Island, and that the South Island did not want to suffer a similar fate. The meeting decided to support the suggestion that an investigation be made into the question of opening up another works.