FARMERS’ UNION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14098, 15 April 1920, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION.

masterton BRANCH. A meeting of the Masterton branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the \ and P. Rooms yesterday afternoon. Mr Hugh Morrison presided over an attendance of about thirty-five members. The secretary brought information before the meeting regarding the alleged inadequate trucking facilities at the Mastetron railway station, it- was decided to write and draw the attention of the District Traffic Inspector to the complaint, and failing that anything was done in the matter, to communicate with headquarters. A small deputation was also appointed to wait upon the (Masterton stationmaster. The meeting decided to again foxward the following remit to the annual Conference:— “That the attention ot the Minister of Railways be again drawn to the urgent necessity of better railwav communication between the port of Wellington and the surrounding districts.- ’ ... A remit moved by Air David Smith to the ■ effect that owing to the increased shortage of timber, all farmers- 1 should give greater attention to the establishing of plantations ot suit- , f •able timber and trees on their farms, was unanimously- carried by the meet-

\u cr . It was also resolved that the Agricultural Department be requested to issue a pamphlet stating the most suitable trees which could be grown in the Wnivarapa district. The . chan - man remarked that such a publication would be of the greatest value to farmers, and would give them some idea, of dealing in a proper manner with poor lands. It would also be ot oreat value if the Agricultural Instiuctor for the Wairarapa paid a certain amount of his time to tlie study ot the question. The attention had not been paid in the past to this important matter which had been due to it. Air E. Harper stated that he wouldendeavour to bring the matter under tiie notice of Air F. E. Ward; failing that the matter should be brought under the notice of the Forestry Department. . AIANURE SHORTAGE.

In a long address Mr Cooper dealt with the question of obtaining adequate supplies of manures. Mr Cooper stated that he was dealin.- with one of the most important questions Ihat was facing faimers at the present time. He could not overestimate the urgency of the matter. The production of wheat had been discussed. Hardly a crop had been sown last year that’did not have a certain amount of artificial manure used on it and the same applied to the oat crops This had been under the conditions of last year, when a certain amount of manure had. been available. ■The cost of fertilisers had a very serious bearing upon all food' crops. At the present time it was almost impossible to secure artificial manures at any price, whatever. The position was much morel serious this year, and the cost had increased in an amazing manner. Formerly his company had been able to purchase basic phosphates at as low a figure as £2 10s per ton. Now the sum of £8 10s was demanded. Superphosphates, formerly purchased ,at £3 10s to £4 10s, were now quoted as high as £l7 10s. And they were not even obtainable at those figures “I believe that I have been able to put my finger upon what appears to lie very much like a corner in blood and bone manures produced by the freezing works, ’ ’ declared Mr Cooper. Continuing, the speaker stated tha., naturally a person would hesitate when faced with such prices, but unless ma'nures were used very poor crops would be the result. What could the farmer do when, even if he did pay the extortionate figures, no supplies were coming to hand? It meant going without, and the land would according } be forced to suffer. The most important fertilisers were the quickest-acting manures, but superphosphate was not worth £l7 per ton. Freight had undoubtedly been increased—perhaps by one or two per cent —but not at a rate to justify the increased price. There certainly appeared to be profiteermg going on nt tlio expense of tnc consumer, and it- must be brought under the notice of the Government. “■ Production must be increased. That is the constant cry. But if you cannot find the wherewithal, what are you goina: lo ido? ,; asked the speaker. “Another very important question is the labour problem, and the increased cost to the producer in ihat direction. To show you what the position will be, I might tell ,'you that at thA Waingav/a works we produced only 500 tons of manures last year. We used fo sell 1500 tons in mixtures. I can candidly inform you that we will be

at least .1000 tons short of requirements next year,” said Air Cooper. Mr Cooper then dealt with basic slag, and said that it was one of the most important of manures and much used for top-dressing of pastures.. It had formerly been brought out from the Old Country in ballast, hence its cheapness. To the certain knowledge of the speaker, three ships had recently ie-tm-ned to New Zealand carrying water as ballast, and others would shortly follow. ‘‘Surely it should be possible to carry basic slag, as in former times, instead of water,” he said. “Surely this might bo effected,- and this valuable and much-needed manure brought out to the Dominion.” Regarding potash, the speaker stated that there were abundant supplies in Alsace-Lorraine, and there was no reason why New Zealand could not exchange wool with France for that valuable manure. The exchange rate might possibly operate against such an agreement at the present time, and he instanced the fact that one pound of wool purchased in London by a Frenchman at 2s 6d, cost him 6s by the time he landed it at. thefactory. * Although the freight would be high in making the exchange, it would be well worth it, in the opinion of flic speaker. Air W. Perry stated that it was not very encouraging to hear of so great a shortage in manures. New Zealand was entitled to sixteen per cent of the output of Nauru Islaud. The rock phosphate, well ground, had been found to be of much benefit, it would take at least twelve months to erect a suitable plant. The position was undoubtedly very serious, and could not be voiced too strongly to the Government.

Air James McGregor, sen., spoke to the same effect. He was of the opinion, however, that the phosphates should be treated at works on Nauru Island instead of bringing them to the Dominion, owing to the labour situation in this country. Mr Cooper was. accorded a vote of .thanks for his address. The following resolution was carried: i—“ That the Government be urged to do their utmost to supply farmers with ■the necessary fertilisers, especially superphosphate and basic slag, otherwise the production of foodstuffs will be seriously curtailed.”

It was also decided to arrange a deputation to again wait on the Prime Alinistcr in connection with the matter, and urge upon him the extreme urgency of the situation, and the vital necessity- of obtaining supplies of manures.