FERTILISER SUBSIDY

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1932, Page 12

FERTILISER SUBSIDY

VALUE TO FARMERS

INCREASE IN DAIRY HERDS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) STBATFOBD, 18th November. According to a statement made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. B. Masters, in the course of an address here, there is a very satisfactory increase in the number of dairy cows in the Dominion. On 31st January this year the total wa5'1,702,070, compared with ■ 1,601,633 last year. The Taranaki figures were 230,563 and 233,563 respectively. ■ ■ ■ . "When, this increase is remembered, the necessity for the greatest possible use of- manures need not be; emphasised," Baid Mr. Masters,'who added that the concessions granted by the Government regarding the carriage of lime and fertilisers amounted during the past three years to £483,000. The falling off in the use of manures was so marked in 1931 that the Government was faced with the necessity of immediate action. It; therefore decided to subsidise the -manufacture of superphosphate, which resulted in a reduction in the ; charge to farmers of 15s- a ton at the present time.

Mr. Masters quoted figuresi to show the increased use of fertilisers as a result of the fall in price consequent'on the_ Government subsidy. . During the period January to .June last year 152,000 tons was used, showing a decrease from the 1929 figures of 76,000 tons, .but for the corresponding period of the present year 222,000 tons was used, the decrease .from 1929 being only 6000 tons. - . ■ . .