PURCHASE OF LIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21544, 16 January 1932, Page 8

PURCHASE OF LIME

RURAL CREDIT BOARD’S AID FOR FERTILISERS ONLY. . In reply to the New Zealand 'Farmers’ Union request that loans for the purchase of fertilisers ‘ through the Rural Intermediate Credits Board should be extended to include .the purchase of lime, the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) says that in the interests of increasing production as rapidly as possible it is considered that , the money available should be devoted entirely to advances for fertilisers alone and should not include lime.

“The essential objective of this assistance- is to provide for top-dressing grassland,” adds Mr Forbes, “ and for that purpose fertilisers, particularly phosphatic ones, are far more. Important than lime. It is freely admitted that lime on certain classes of soils increases the efficiency of fertilisers, but as the expenditure for lime in this connection is not great, farmers should be able to make their own arrangements. Lime in most localities is how about 13s 6d a ton, and where the application of lime, in addition to fertiliser, is advantageous, the most satisfactory mixture is half lime and half phosphate, or an increase in cost calculated at 13s 6d for every ton of phosphate, an expenditure that should not require any special monetaiw assistance. “ I would also remind yoipthat farmers already have the benefit of free railage on lime over any distance up to. 100 miles, whereas railway freights have to be paid on fertilisers, though certainly on a reduced scale, owing to the provision made by the Government that the Department of Agriculture subsidise the Railways Department to the extent necessary. It is regretted, therefore, that ; your request cannot be acceded to.” •>