RAGWORT CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 298, 28 April 1941, Page 8

RAGWORT CONTROL

SODIUM CHLORATE SUPPLIES

PRIJCK RISEI DUE TO SHORTAGE

In a letter to the Whakatane County Council last Tuesday Imperial Chemical Industries (N.Z.) Ltd, stated' that prior to the Avar supplies of sodium chlorate Avere being drawn from England and Canada, but thesei two sources are not iioav available as the manufacturing plants arc making material for explosives.

The atlaci.dc supplies which had for some time been drawn from England and Canada were now subject to an export embargo Avhieh the Now Zealand Government had attempted to have lifted Avitliout success. It Avas evident that no further atlacidie Avould be available for distribution in Ncav Zealand during the remainder of 1941, although perhaps a few tons of English atlacido might come to hand. For 1941 the only source of supply Oif sodium chlorate Avas U.S.A. and the New Zealand Primary Industry Controller and Customs had granted a license, to import American sodium chlorate. The pricei of American sodium chlorate Avas high and therefore; the consumption would be restricted. Nevertheless, many farmers and Public Bodies were taking the view that some ragwort killing was essential in order to keep Glenn the pastures. Avhieh Avere at present more or less free of ragwort. The council Avas requested to place its firm orders jioav in order that' freight space might be booked at present rates.

The County Clerk reported that as instructed he had ordered 20 tons of Atlacide from B. Iv. Morten Proprietary Ltd. With the receipt; of the letter from Imperial Cheanicnl Industries (N.Z ) Ltd., B. K. Morten Proprietary Ltd: had beem asked what prospects such firm held out for fulfilling the council's order and on the 9th instant the company had replied stating that there, was a serious possibility that it would be unable to supply the quantity of atlacide which has been placed on order for the 1941-42 season 1 . So far as United States supplies of sodium chlorate were concerned, the company believed that Imperial Industries were offering some at a price of £112 per ton.

General surprise had bee,n expressed at such a high sum and it was not anticipated that farmers generally Avill buy at all. It Avas not anticipated having to pay anywhere like such a price for atlacide. Nevertheless the council would be Avel! advised to place orders Avith Imperial Chemical Industries if it felt justifies in buying at the price cjuoted.

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee the Council decided that B. K. Morton Proprietary Ltdi. be advisied that the councils order only applied if the article f.ob. price Avas Avithin reasonable figure of t.he 1940 purchase price. As a guide to the council's probable requirements it Avas also decided to request the Agricultural Department to indicate Avhen the particulars of the 1941-42 RagAvort Grant would be available.