RATIONING OF FERTILISER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 169, 17 October 1941, Page 4

RATIONING OF FERTILISER

RECENTLY discussed by the Primary Production Council, the subject of fertiliser rationing in its present state appears to become more and more iniquitous in the contemplation. The suggestion of classification by local speakers would put the whole scheme upon a sound and, economic basis and stand the individual holdings upon their own merits without unduly hampering production. Most wholeheartedly therefore we support the representations going forward for distribution upon land classification. The present system which allocates fertiliser merely in accordance with what the farmer was in the habit of using (pro rata) appears to us as a plan hastily devised to meet the shortening supply and never subsequently investigated. Broadly, it seemed fair enough, but the practical application of the scheme soon revealed its glaring weaknesses and inequalities. All first Glass land can obviously afford to forego the annual topdressing to a far greater degree than can the second and third class areas. Agriculturalists will agree that the new suggestion far surpasses the method now in vogue, for these are times when men can afford to be broadminded, adopting only the means which make for national cohesion and benefit. It can be confidently anticipated that the average farmer will approve the justice of the classification scheme and welcome its innovation should its adoption be sanctioned.