FARMERS’ PROTEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25304, 14 August 1943, Page 6

FARMERS’ PROTEST

USE OF SERPENTINE COMPULSION RESENTED Indignation was expressed by members of the Otago Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union when they were informed by the chairman (Mr W. Lee) at a meeting this week that there was a possibility of serpentine superphosphate being forced upon them, despite the assurances already given that the use of it would be optional. The chairman read correspondence which had passed between him and the Director-general of Agriculture (Mr E. J. Fawcett) on the subject. A letter from the director-general stated that a remit passed by the National Council of Primary Production recommending to the Government that only serpentine super should be sold in the South Island had been passed on to the Minister for his consideration, but finality had not yet been reached in this connection. It had been made compulsory in the national interest that only serpentine super should be used in the North Island, and, unless some good reason was shown why this shcuid not apply also to the South Island, it would appear likely that the resolution passed by the National Council would have to merit the most serious consideration. Mr Stuart Sim (Crookston) expressed the opinion that serpentine was still in the experimental stage so far as the South Island was concerned, and farmers would strongly resent it being forced upon them. There was 15 to 20 per cent, iron alumina in serpentine, which, a leading agricultural chemist assured him. might do irreparable harm to the soil. Mr A. C. Leary said it would appear that certain persons or firms interested in the production of serpentine were exerting great pressure on the Department of Agriculture. Mr Arnold Bain (Roxburgh) expressed the opinion that farmers should stand firm and tell the Government that they would not take it. Mr A. C. Cameron pointed out that farmers would have to cease certain types of production if they did not get superphosphate, and if they could net get anything else, then it was a case of serpentine or nothing. He quoted a statement made by Mr R, B. Tennent, Director of Agriculture, at a meeting held in January to the effect that serpentine had not been demonstrated as superior to super reverted with lime. Mr Cameron added that he felt that farmers might do well to carry out their own experiments and satisfy themselves that serpentine would suit their soils before agreeing to have it forced upon them. The following resolution was carried unanimously:—“That this council emphatically protests against the suggestion of the National Council of Primary Production that the use of serpentine be made compulsory, as this council is of the opinion that the trials which so far have been carried out are not sufficiently conclusive to' warrant the suggested action."