Farmers To Have Option Of Straight Super

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1943, Page 4

Farmers To Have Option Of Straight Super

(P.A.) AUCKLAND. This Day. At a conference of provincial primary production councils, Northland representatives stated that serpentine superphosphate had not proved successful and pointed out that there were substantial deposits of lime available. They asked that farmers should be permitted to purchase their ration as straight superphosphate. The conference resolved that farmers should have the option of purchasing straight superphosphate in those districts where serpentine was not showing results. The conference approved of the present fertiliser rationing system, but suggested that a reasonable opportunity for appeals should be allowed annually for the adjustment of anomalies. The manpower problem was fully discussed and the view expressed that it would be impossible to meet the production requirements aimed at for the coming season with the labour at present available.. It was contended that unless a considerable number of men were released from the armed forces production would decline still furthei’.

It was decided to request the Government to provide accommodation for married men on farms in its housing programme.

Representatives from the maizegrowing areas stated that this year there would be an alarming decrease in the acreage of maize planted, owing to the shortage of labour and the unreasonable price growers were receiving for grain. A circular has been issued by the Waikato council advising that territorial camps were to be set up as required in any district, so that labour could be available for harvesting of hay, ensilage and potatoes. The Waikato council had been requested to arrange for the organisation of these camps which would be mobile and farms would be visited in turn. Most of the men will be inexperienced and the army will be responsible for transport and feeding, while farmers will be charged at the rate of 2/6 an hour or at award rates. The Waikato council has received an assurance from the Minister for Manpower that men will be released from the forces to fill the substantial number of present farm vacancies.