BARCLAY FERTILISER STATEMENT ATTACKED

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1938, Page 2

BARCLAY FERTILISER STATEMENT ATTACKED

“I was astonished to note the tenor of Mr J. G. Barclay’s remarks with reference to the proposed fertiliser works In Whangarei, and his comments on the attitude of the dairy conferences in particular,” states Mr E. G. Appleton, chairman of the Fertiliser Committee, and chairman of the North Auckland Dairy Conference. “The North Auckland Dairy Conference is composed of representatives of every dairy company operating in Northland, and must necessarily be representative of every shade of political opinion.

“For Mr Barclay to say, ’Apparently they were more concerned about getting one over the Government than getting, the price of fertiliser to the farmer reduced,’ is not only a direct insult to every member of the conference, for the interest of the suppliers is the paramount duty and desire of every director of dairy companies, but is directly contrary to fact, for it has been the consistent aim of the conference to debar politics from its deliberations. A Surprise, “Such is the case, but Mr Barclay’s outburst causes one to wonder if he has arrived at the conclusion that the dairying industry has lost all confidence in the present Government. His words would lead one to believe that that is so.

“I was amazed, also, to learn that the Government had assisted the Fertiliser Committee by the supply of materials and information, and also that they would assist the industry financially to build the proposed works. “No information, or materials were vouchsafed by the Government; in fact, nearly 12 months elapsed before a decision with respect to our application for a license was received from the Bureau of Industry. “Knew Nothing About It.”

“That the Government proposes to accord us financial assistance in our project is a matter of which, up to the reading of Mr Barclay’s statement, we had no cognisance, and I maintain that if Mr Barclay had that knowledge and conveyed it to me or my committee—as it was his bounden duty so to docur main difficulty would have been eliminated.

“I suggest that Mr Barclay, prior to snceringly remarking that ‘the promoters had turned cold on the proposal.’ should have ascertained the true position, and I would advise he still make those enquiries, which would disclose to him the intention of the promoters.”