PHOSPHATES SUPPLIES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1920, Page 4

PHOSPHATES SUPPLIES

li'lill J.’ill'.aii ABBUCIAXI'M*. l/o>’YliKilll., V\xXUIjNUION, (April iu. .Tnc lacic oi pnospuate manures loi pastures and crops is causing real alarm among many farmers throughout New Zealand. Seme of tliis concern was expressed at a meeting held at piasterton this week, and the men there present were asked for information as to liow soon it is likoiy there will be available supplies of phosphates from Nauru Island.

Mr Massey was asked for this information. ‘‘l hope soon to be able,” said Mr Massey, “to announce that a purchased has been completed. I understand that the Company insists on being permitted to complete its contracts, and that this is delaying the purchased arrangements as to the immediate supplies of super-phosphates. I have keen communicating with the Australian Government for some time past, but have not yet been able to persuade the Australian Government t o allow the export o f super-phosphates to New Zealand. It may be necessary to get more equipment for dealing with rock phosphates in this country, but this is not certain. My own .feeling is that there ought to be separate plants in principal districts, near to the ports at which the rock phospates from Nauru before the purchaso is completed, but until we are sure that we linvo the plant to deal with the rock this may not be desirable. I have arranged with the Managing Director for the Company that if any phosphates were required, even if the purchase scheme fell through that we could lm> • all tlia-t we needed; but in the mean time our capacity for dealing with rock phosphate is very limited.”