NO MANURE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32310, 8 September 1943, Page 5

NO MANURE

POSITION NOW SERIOUS AFFECTING production appeal to the government Concern, at the serious shortage of fertiliser and the effect it is now having and will have upon the production of the country generally was expressed by members at the recent meeting of the Thames District Council of Primary production. It was moved by Mr W. A. Jefferis seconded by Mr E. W. Harris, that the Hon. Minister of Agriculture be written to that this council views with alarm the seriousness of the shortage of fertiliser and the effect it is now having and 1 will have upon the production of the country generally and that the (Government should do everything possible to obtain supplies of North African phosphate by or through any opportunity of back loading of shipping that may arise and thus help to stop the deterioration of lands and a decline in production at a time that it is so urgently needed. Stocks of Blood and Bone Mr 0. W. .Schultz moved and Mr W. H. Cheale seconded that the National Council, Wellington, be written to that this council has been given to understand that there are large quantities on blood and bone and bone dust manures in stock in the hands of certain merchants and in view of the serious position of lack of fertiliser that the Government should be requested to allow the release of at least some portion of these stocks as in the opinion of this council large stocks of these manures should not be unduly held at the expense of production.

Mr A. V. Allo of the Department of Agriculture, explained the position as to supplies of manure to farmers for sowing down new grass and that manure could not be supplied for this purpose but only when such new grass was laid down following a crop and then only at the rate of one cwt. per acre.