THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper WEDNESDAY JUNE 4, 1947. Fertiliser Works For Northland

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1947, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper WEDNESDAY JUNE 4, 1947. Fertiliser Works For Northland

The magnitude of Northland’s output of dairy produce, and the extent to which pastoral industry has expanded, combined with knowledge that adequate supplier of fertiliser would help to bring into production a large area of undeveloped land, have warranted a campaign to secure the establishment of fertiliser works in this territory.

The case presented by the advocates of various aspects of the question—the need for ever-increasing quantities of fertiliser, the existence of facilities for the direct shipment of phosphate rock and the manufacture of fertiliser, as well as the reduction in cost to the farmer oy reason of distribution from a central point as compared with long distance haulage from existing sources of supply—has impressed public opinion and moved local authorities to urge the Government to assist the establishment of the fertiliser industry in Northland.

The whole question was discussed with the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. E. L. Cullen, at Whangarei yesterday, when 30 delegates, representative of agricultural and pastoral pursuits, industrial organisations and public bodies, met the Minister in conference.

As will be learned from perusal of a comprehensive report of the conference printed in another part of the Advocate today, all aspects of the question were reviewed in a manner which reflected the urgent need for copious supplies of fertiliser in Northland in order that the proved and potential productive resources of the peninsula might be brought to maximum height. It was also urged that the establishment of fertiliser works in

Northland would expedite the Government’s policy of decentralisation of industry and; by providing Northland's fertiliser requirements, make larger quantities available to other areas of the Dominion, thus increasing the country’s exports and resultant revenue.

Mr Cullen, who gave the speakers a very sympathetic hearing, promised to ask Cabinet, probably on Friday of this week, to set up a special committee to investigate every aspect of the question.

This committee would comprise representatives of Federated Farmers, the Meat Board, the Wool Board, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Industries and Commerce, merchants, and possibly local bodies. If Cabinet authorised the setting up of a committee, Mr Cullen undertook to ask that it commence work immediately. It is to be hoped that the scheme proposed by Mr Cullen will be authorised, and that it will give 1o the whole question the investigation which the national importance of the establishment of fertiliser works in Northland demands.

The Advocate has on many occasions strongly supported the proposal put before the Minister of Agriculture yesterday, and we are more convinced than ever that its adoption would produce results not only highly beneficial to Northland but to the Dominion as a whole.

As will be gathered from our report of speeches made by delegates to yesterday's conference, and by the summary of developments in recent years, there are the strongest of reasons why Northland should be allowed to possess fertiliser works of up-to-date character.