DELAY IN DELIVERY OF FERTILIZERS

Southland Times, Issue 23544, 25 June 1938, Page 8

DELAY IN DELIVERY OF FERTILIZERS

INCREASED WORK CLAIMED FOR RAILWAYS (United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 24. The serious effect on farmers of the delay in the delivery of fertilizers because of the lack of railway trucks and tarpaulins was compained of by members at the National Dairy Association’s conference at New Plymouth today. Representations are to be made to the Government on the matter. The railways’ case was put by Mr A. W. Wellstead, commercial manager, who referred to the huge increase in the quantity of fertilizers carried. The 1938 figure of 75,800 tons was an increase of 258 per cent, on 1934, he said. The heavy arrival of overseas shipments at the main ports also affected delivery by tying up trucks. The position was made worse by the fact that more than half the trade was concentrated on the four autumn months.

He claimed that delay by farmers in unloading wagons was the cause of much of the trouble. The department was handicapped in building new wagons, but last year 500 were built at a cost of £170,000. This year it proposed to build 1200 more. The department was prepared to spend money to keep the wheels of industry turning. Discussing the question of tarpaulins, he said that a recent stock-taking showed that 4000 had disappeared.