PRICES OF FERTILISERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20991, 30 September 1931, Page 11

PRICES OF FERTILISERS.

ASSISTING THE FARMERS. STATE SUBSIDY SUGGESTED. CABINET CONSIDERING PLANS. [BY TELEGRAM. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Farmers of tlie Dominion are finding it increasingly difficult to finance tho purchase of fertilisers in sufficient quantities to maintain the normal production of their properties and there arc fears that if steps are not taken to remedy the position dairy production in the next few years will be adversely affected. This question has been raised frequently in the House of Representatives by the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, who has urged that means should be found in limes of financial stringency to assist farmers by making it possible for them to secure tho supplies of fertiliser necessary to the industry. In view of the seriousness of tho situation tho Government is giving the question its serious consideration. Representatives of leading fertiliser companies waited 011 the Prime Minister, lit. lion, G. W. Forbes, and tho Minister of Agriculture, Hon. 1). Jones, to-day and, while tho deputation was of a private nature, if is stated that the Ministers had submitted to them a scheme involving tho payment of a, State subsidy sufficient to enable the companies to make supplies available to the fanner at about. 25 per cent, below the present prices. This proposal is to receive the attention of the Cabinet, which will also have before it proposals designed to meet position prepared by tho Department, of Agriculture. It, is anticipated that in the near future a plan calculated to assist the primary producer wilt be formulated.