CONTROL OF FERTILISER WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 7

CONTROL OF FERTILISER WORKS

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I have followed with interest the proposals put forward by Mr R. S. Thompson and Mr.J- B. Birtles for co-operative ownership and control of fertiliser works. Mr Thompson advocates the taking over of all existing fertiliser works by farmers, presumably at valuation —a mere matter of £2,000,000 to £3,000,000 He says: “ When a farmer purchases a farm he will automatically purchase a share in a fertiliser works.” Mr Thompson’s idea is' that the Government should bring in legislation forcing the existing works to sell out to farmers, and that all farmers should be compelled to contribute their share of the cap.tal required. Presumably each contribution would be worked out on some equitable basis —so much per cow, sheep, hen. bee-hive, or case of apples. Mr Bruce Birtles’s idea is that membership to the Farmers’ Union should be made compulsory, and that the membership fee should be large enough to cover the purchase price of the fertiliser works. On this basis the first year’s subscription to the union would average £3O to £4O per farmer, and as both these gentlemen advocate “ farmer control of all key industries connected with farming,” the second year’s levy would be higher, still. Presumably the various provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union would replace the existing fertiliser directorates, and presumably directors’ fees would be paid. I personally would prefer to see the fertiliser works run by capable directors, each having something at stake, rather than see them run by farmers whose only qualification Is all too frequently just “a gift of the gab.” I notice that with typical Otago caution the Farmers’ Union Cortference neither approved nor disapproved of the , scheme, but merely referred it to, a .committee to;report. Doubtless little more will be heard of ; it. My only commentary Is let ais be careful lest we give the Government an excuse for Government control. Costs of production are high enough now, but nothing to what they might be should the fertiliser Industry be 'run by a Government marketing department.—l am. etc.. Look Before Ton Leap.