Ration To Come Off All Fertilisers

Chronicle (Levin), 9 June 1949, Page 9

Ration To Come Off All Fertilisers

WELLINGTON, June 8. "The rationing of all mineral and organie fertilisers will be discontinued as from July 1 of this year, ' 1 the Min fster of Agriculture, Mr. Cullen, saih today. "This decision has been reaened following consxderation of the fertiliser position by a joint meeting of representatives of the Departm'ent of Agricul ture, N.Z. Dairy Board, N.Z. Dairy Prouuets Marketing. Commission and th^ N.Z. Meat Produeers' Board. In general the fertiliser situation has greatly Lmproved recently. The International Emergeney Food Couneil has approved .the de-allocation of all types, which indicates that nitrogenous and postassie fertilisers should also be available in greater quantities. The British Phosphate Commisison has indicated it is in a position to supply any reasonable quantity of raw rock for the forthcoming year and it has been arranged that a total of 450,000 tons of phosphatic rock .will be imported during tHe year July 1 1949 to June 30 1950. This represents approximately 75,000' tons more than has been used in manufacture during the current year. In addition it is anticipated that there will be larger tonnages of basic slag and finely ground rock phosphate available from Belgium and North Africa respectively. "Whilst the external supply position is satisfactory, it is recognised we will still have a problem to ensure proper distribution of the manufactured product. It will be essential for marchant distributors to safeguard the interests of farmers in remote areas otherwise the decision now reached will need to be reconsidered. In addition to transport difficulties which will persist for some time, storage capacity at the works for the manufactured product, is limited. . Therefore, to ensure maximum outputs being achieved, de-

liveries from the works must be spread through the year. Farmers must therefore play their part otherwise delays in delivery will be unavoidable. "