SUPERPHOSPHATE.

Northern Advocate, 3 September 1919, Page 4

SUPERPHOSPHATE.

WHY THE PRICE HAS RISEN

The South Melbourne "Herald" says: The iise from the pre-war rate of £4 7s 6d to the present cash price of £5 per ton has not been sufficient to meet the increased cost of freight and bags. Under average conditions it takes one ton of rock phosphate to make two tons of super. Freights from Ocean Island have risen from 16s 3d per ton in 1913 to more than £2 to-day, an increase which represents 12s on every ton of the fertiliser. These rates apply not only to the ordinary shipping concerns, but to the Commonwealth's own,steamers; all are administered by the Shipping Controller. Is it too much for Australian farmers to insist that a commodity essential to their industry shall be brought in their own ships at an uninflated price. Every penny of additional profit made in the transport of rock phosphate in Governmentowned vessels, while relieving the

general taxpayer, is solely at the expense of tfre wheat farmer and his confreres.

A reduction 'to £1 per ton, which is considered by competent judges to make ample allowance for the increase.) cost of coal and the rise >n wages since the rat* , of 16s 3d was paid, would automatically reduce the price of superphosphate by 10s per ton. Mr Hughes' recent statement that Australia's mandate over Nauru will lower the cost is apparently based upon insufficient evidence. One opinion expressed in these columns by a recent arrival from the island, is that the new Government control can scarcely fail to increase the overhead charges. Be that as it may, a little practical statesmanship on the part of the Prime Minister and his colleagues in controlling freight will have a more definite effect than the transfer of Nauru from Germany. The'matter calls for urgent and close consideration. Whatever the difficulties in the way they cannot be insurmountable. At a time wihen the Commonwealth Government is stretching out with both hands for wider powers, and increasing control of our primary industries, it may be well to remind them of the more urgent duty that lies close within their grasp. No one can fail to realise some measure of the variety and compelxity of the problems which confront the Administration, but it

would certainly appear truer statesmanship to.narrow much, of the present objective and concentrate mora on one of the vital needs of our vast producing areas.