PHOSPHATES FROM NAURU

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18199, 21 March 1921, Page 5

PHOSPHATES FROM NAURU

70,000 TONS FOR FIRST YEAR. (Fbom Odr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 19. In answering a question put by Mr H. Poland (Ohinemuri) <an the House of Representatives to-day, the Prime Minister gave some interesting information regarding the supply and treatment of Nauru phosphate rock. He said New Zealand took over its share in the islands on January 1 last, and the first cargo under the new agreement had already arrived here. . Arrangements had been made for the delivery of about 70,000_ tons during the year to the manufacturers in this country. There was goin<r to be a tremendous demand for our phosphates, and from a financial and* commercial point of view the purchase of the islands would be a very satisfactory speculation, indeed a certain quantity of phosphates had been 'sold to other countries. At one time he* thought that wo could not get rid of all the phosphates, but he saw now that we should not be able to supply the full outside demand. In reference to the press, cabl© that that been published, he might say that Great Britain had not sold its interests in the islands; but only its output. Not on!y_ was he satisfied that New Zealand’s investment was a really good one, but ho was also satisfied that we were going to get all the phosphates we required from the two islands, and at a reasonable price. The phosphate rock would be landed in New Zealand at £4 5s per ton. Most of it would be ground fine and used in that form, but he thought it must eventually be made into superphosphates. The cost of grinding the rook would be about 12s 6d per ton, and if they added another 10s per ton, they could get an idea of what tne ■cost to the farmer would be. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunu): What about the South Island. To whom will it go there ? Mr Massey; In the first instance to Wright, Stephenson, and Co. .and Kempthorne, Proesser, and_ Co. Quite a number of people are building big works. Mr J. P. Luke (Wellington North): You want one in Wellington. Mr Massey: I know we do, and if firms her© do not undertake to establish one it may be necessary for the Government to do so. We have already secured an excellent site. Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames): Is the Government going to control the supply? Mr Massey; In the meantime they will sell to those who have th© plant to deal with it. Mr Rhodes: Will you see that the price is reasonable? Mr Massey: Yes, w© are seeing to that. The whole thing should be in full swing in another 12 months. Mr A. S. Malcolm (Clutha): Will steps be taken to prevent their establishing a monopoly and charging unfair prices? Mr Massey: It will not be possible to establish a® monopoly, because we have the supply and can control it Mr J. R. Hamilton (Awarua): The South Island supplies are going_ ffe Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co. and Wright, Stephenson, and Co. ? Mr Massey: Yes. Mr Hamilton: That js just what we have been fighting against. Can anyon© who has a crushing plant get supplies ? Mr Massey ; Yes. Anyone who is capable of crushing the phosphate can get a supply - .