SUPPLIES OF FERTILISER.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1931, Page 6

SUPPLIES OF FERTILISER.

The explanation of the Government’s special financial provision for supplies of fertilisers to farmers given by the Minister of Labour at New Plymouth on Tuesday was very timely. Top-dress-ing of grass lands has now become part of the routine work in Taranaki dairy settlements, and the results liave thoroughly justified all that Ims been done in this direction. The application of suitable fertilisers has largely increased production and has entirely arrested the deterioration in pasture that was threatened as the special qualities of virgin soil became exhausted. It is no exaggeration to say that grass lands management is almost as important to a fanner’s success as a wellchosen herd, and one of the essentials to that form of husbandry is the application of the right kind of manure. Unfortunately, returns for produce this season have been so low that many fanflers have found themselves unable to provide the money for the purchase of fertilisers. Were they given no assistance the production of their holdings would decrease considerably, and a diminishing volume of exports would add materially to the Dominion’s financial difficulties. The Government lias therefore made available £lOO,OOO for loans to farmers for the purchase of manures. Applications for assistance are to be made to Rural Credit Associations or, where they do not exist, to the Rural Credit Board at Wellington. Security for loans can be given over stock and chattels or by promissory notes bearing guarantees considered suitable by the board. Effort has been made to take into account the personal integrity of an applicant as well as tile legal security he can offer, and there seems no reason why full advantage should not be taken of the facilities offered. To reduce top-dressing even for one season is' to run the risk of depreciating pastures, with consequent heavier expenditure in the future to bring them back into productivity. In the meantime the Dominion’s output of produce would be reduced, just when lowered prices make it essential that exports should be increased wherever possible. The assistance offered by the State is thoroughly justified and should be made full use of by those whom it is intended to benefit.