FERTILISER INQUIRY STARTS TODAY

Northern Advocate, 1 April 1937, Page 6

FERTILISER INQUIRY STARTS TODAY

Momentous Issue At Stake

Today is a momentous one' in the progressive development of Northland. The first evidence relating to the application for a license to erect a cooperative fertiliser works at Kioreroa to serve the farmers of the district is being taken this afternoon in Whangarei.

The fertiliser industry was gazetted in December as a licensed industry and, therefore, a license will have to be, obtained before the building of the. factory can be put in hand. The members of the Bureau of Industry who left Auckland by car this morning, and are booked in at the Settlers’ Hotel, are; Messrs F. Johnson, assistant secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce; E. J Fawcett, of the Department of Agriculture; T. C. Brash, representative of agriculturists on the Bureau, of Industry; and C. M. Bowden, manufacturers’ representative on the bureau. Mr J. R. Middleton, investigating accountant of the Department of Industries and Commerce, will act as secretary of the committee. At a special meeting convened by the North Auckland Dairy Conference, and held in Whangarei on November 9, the establishment of a Northland Co-op. Fertiliser Company, with works at Kioreroa, was unanimously advocated. The meeting was auehded by 70, mostly directors of dairy companies within the area. An explanation of many points was given by Mr James Fletcher, a director of the Dominion Fertiliser Company. Resolutions Carried. After a full discussion the following resolutions were carried on the motion of Mr E„ S. Tremaine (Whangarei) seconded by Mr L. W. Smith (Bay of Islands):— “Having received the report of the delegation who proceeded to Ravensborne, near Dunedin, and there inspected the works of the Dominion Fertiliser Co., Ltd., and who have made exhaustive research, this conference recommends to the directorate of the dairy companies in Northland; “1. That a Northland Co-operative Fertiliser Company be formed for the purpose of establishing and carrying on the business of fertiliser manufacturers and dealers therein.

“2. That the capital of the company be £225,000, divided into 125,tJ00 shares of £1 each, and 100,000 debentures of £1 each.

“3. That £105,000 be subscribed by the dairy companies over a period of five years. "4. That the works be ex’ected on a site on the Whangarei harbour at KToreroa at a guaranteed cqst. ' “5. That this conference elect a committee of Messrs E. G. Appleton, E. S. Tremaine, J. H. Hayward, L. W. Smith and T. H. Kenny for the purpose of furthering the formation of | the company and with a view to submitting the necessary memorandum' to the various directorates for submission to suppliers at the earliest moment. “6. That the various directorates confer with their solicitors, as to pre? sent powers enabling shares to be taken in the proposed co-operative company; if no power is held, that the necessary steps be taken to obtain such power at the earliest moment.” Site to be Inspected. The site of the proposed works at Kioreroa will be inspected by the committee today. The taking of evidence commenced at the Whangarei Borough Council Chambers at 2.30 this afternoon. At 11 a.m. tomorrow, the committee will commence a sitting at Dargaville and at 10 a.m. on Saturday further evidence will be heard in Auckland. The hearing of evidence in support of the application was taken in camera this afternoon. A statement will be made available to the Press before the committee leaves for Dargaville tomorrow morning. ________