PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24716, 19 September 1941, Page 7

PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES

DELIVERIES TO DOMINION THE QUOTA SYSTEM EXPLANATION BY MINISTER (P.A.I WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. The rationing of phosphatic fertilisers was discussed by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr J. G. Barclay, at the New Zealand Dairy Board conference in Wellington to-day. Mr A. J. Sinclair (Te Awamulu; asked the Minister to inform the conference “ why the restriction on the New Zealand farmer to 40 .per cent of his average annual requirements over the past two years for the topdressing of grasslands is so much more severe than that imposed on _ the Australian farmer, who is obtaining his normal requirements at the present time, and is being asked to consider only a slight restriction to 70 per cent, of his annual requirements in the immediate future? Further, can the Government give an assurance that everything possible is being done to secure increased supplies of fertilisers in this country? ” Rationing of Output

The Minister said that under the British Phosphate Commission’s charter New Zealand received 16 per cent and Australia and the United Kingdom each 42 per cent, of the output When the United Kingdom did not require all its quota, Ne\y Zealand would receive 16-58ths and Australia 42-58ths of the balance, which would give New Zealand approximately 27 per cent of the total output. When it had become apparent thai some restriction would be necessary, the Minister added, the commission decided to divide the phosphate avail able between Australia and New Zea land on the basis of the averagedeliveries during the three years preceding June. 1940. The division arrived at provided for New Zealand to procure 37 per cent, of the total supply Actually, that percentage was being bettered in the current deliveries taking place to New Zealand. It was recognised by the commission that whenever feasible New Zealand should obtain f he best possible treatment. New Zealand utilisation of phosphate had been increasing during recent years, Mr Barclay said, while in Australia the tendency had been towards a reduction in consumption. As a result of a quota being placed on the delivery of rock it had become necessary to limit the usage. Had the Australian primary producers been able to continue with their full production programme, particularly of grain crops, their restriction would have been as severe as that in New Zealand. As it was, the dairymen were able to obtain reasonable quantities because of the shrinkage of the demand from other sections of producers. Everything possible was being done to ensure the maximum deliveries of rock to New Zealand. Position Uncertain

The quota on phosphatic fertilisers and the meat crisis had been the most difficult things the Government had had to face up to. the Minister said. “ I know it is difficult and that there are cases of hardship—any • amount of them," he added. “We cannot tell what the position will be next month. If there is any surplus, the industry will get it. We are not trying to sit on big reserves.”