PHOSPHATE MANURES.

Western Star, 20 April 1920, Page 4

PHOSPHATE MANURES.

NAURU ISLAND DEPOSITS. WELLINGTON, April 15. Lack of phosphatic manures for pastures and crops is causing real alarm among many farmers throughout New Zealand". Some of this concern was expressed ait a meeting held at Masterton this week, and men there present asked for: information asi to how soon *it is likely there will to available supplies of phosphates from Nauru, Mr Massey was asked for this information. “I hope soon to ho able,'’ said Mr Massey, “to announce that the purchase has been completed. I understand that the company insists on being permitted to complete its contracts, and that this delaying the purchase arrangements. As to imnvedite supplies, of superphosphate, I have been communicating with the Australian Government for some time past, but have, not yet been able to persuade the Australian Government to allow the export Of superphosphates to New Zealand. It may be necessary to get more equipment for dealing with the rock phosphates in this country, but that is not certain. My own feeling is that there' ought to* be separate plants in the principal provincion districts, near to ports, at which rock phosphates can be handled. I think it would be quite possible to get phosphates from Nauru before the purchase is completed, but until we are sure we have the plant to deal with the rock this' may not be desirable. I arranged with the managing director of the company that if any phosphates were required, own if the purchase scheme doll through, we could have all that we needed, but in the meantime our capacity for dealing .with rock phosphate is very limited.”