NAURU ISLAND

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 130, 26 February 1920, Page 6

NAURU ISLAND

SHORTAGE OF SUPERPHOSPHATES

NO EARLY RELIEF

Tho shortage of ' is causing anxiety in the .farming districts, ;'"'AiTd many inquiries are bein;; made as », to tho prospect of securing supplies from : •'-•'Nauru Island. Tho Prinio Minister (Eight Hon. W. F. IMassey), replying to a question on this subject yesterday, said that the latest advice lie'hod received from the Imperial authorities was to ; ' 'the "effect that good progress was being '-' made"'' a ivith the Nauru Island scheme The news that the matter had been finoily- arranged might come at any time. ,It does not appear that farmers in need -of fertilisers will receive supplies ...from Nauru Island in tho near future. V The negotiations that are now in progress will determine the conditions on which Britain, Australia, and New Zealand take over tho interests of the com- "~ pany that at presont controls the phosphate deposits. This company, formed before the island was taken from Ger- . many, is stated to have a good title. When the deal has been arranged, tho three Governments, which may either buy out tho company or make contracts with it, will bo ablo to draw supplies of ~ ..phosphates in the proportions stipulated m tho agreement already framed. New Zealand is to ho entitled to 16 cent, of the output, and it has been indicated that this amount may, bo increased if required, since the British Government, will not require all of its proportion. But the crude phosphato rock, as it is quarried on tho island, is of small value as ' a manure. It requires to be treated by .. processes that involve the use of large and expensivo plants. A private factory in Auckland can Lindlc a small quantity of .-the rock, but treatment on n scale .adequate to tho needs of the Dominion' is not available within New Zealand. The. three Governments will have to decide how they are going to deal with the phosphate rock. It has been suggested, that they should arrange to,treat it at ■ Nauru Island, where labour :$ cheap and plentiful, and then ship the superphosphate ready for delivery to the farmers. This arrangement would ccono mise shipping. If the rock is to bo . shipped, then New. Zealand must either ■ . provide for its treatment on., a large scale within the Dominion, Or make urrange . ments with firms in Australia, where large plants are available. The plant at the Auckland factory is being extended, but it will not be largo enough to serve all New Zealand. It seems that in any case there must be delay before Nauru Island . phosphate "becomes available for use on New Zealand farms.