SUPERPHOSPHATES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1925, Page 4

SUPERPHOSPHATES

SUPPLY AND COST. DISCUSSED BY FARMERS. ASHBURTON, October 23. The supply and cost ol superphosphates was the subject of an address given by the Director-General of Agriculture, Dr Reakos, to the executive of the AJid-Cantorbtiry branch ol the Fanners’ Union. The Hon. \\ . Nosworthy was present, and the president of the branch, Air Joint Brown, occupied the chair. Air J. Carr said their principal grievance was the placing of Canterbury 011 a different footing from other provinces in regard to railway lreights on super. There also seemed to bo excessive commission paid, and there was little doubt close co-operation existed between various firms.

Air A. P. Bruce (Seafie’ld), said that farmers in his district had asked for discount on a quantity of phosphates and lmd been told that, supplies would lie cut off.

Air W. T. I .ill said it looked as if there was a ring and the Government would have to watch them. Hon. W. Noswortliy: I can assure you the Government is not in this

Dr Reakos said that Australain super could not compete with the Now Zealand article under the rates fixed in (ho Commonwealth. The meeting went into committee to hear Dr Realm's explanation of the rates of commission allowed.

On resuming Dr Reakos said that since the Government had taken over Nauru the price ol raw super per . ton had dropped from .Cl os in 19-1 Lo co |s fid in 1921. The South Island ; price of the finished product had drop- 1 pod from C 9 l()s in 1921 to Cfi 10s in 1921. If lie were a Canterbury farmer j lie would object to a fiat rate hut as a ‘ Government officer he had to think of •Southland and Otago, who would hair' to pav large prices it a tree on rail rate obtained. In his opinion should |,e a better arrangement of the various firms who crushed the raw article. Ihe Government had not given any firm a monopoly 111 the South island. .1 he Hoard of Trade had recently investigated the whole position and the trend of the report did not warrant the Government stepping in. Ihe report, however, was not taken as final, and another investigation was in progress.

The Hon. TV. Nosworthv, also addressed the meeting in committee, and on resuming said the Government had been working for years to get some satisfactory arrangement in regard to the supply and price of super, lie assured the executive that the Government had by no means finished, but would carry the matter iurflicr. The president drew Mr Noswortliy’s attention to (he amendments lo Hie Fertilisers’ Act and Pure Seeds Bills which had been introduced nine years’ ago hut had been shelved. Mr Noswortliy said his predetvssor. Ml- Macdonald. had drawn up a Bill, and he himself had done likewise, hut it had been so amended and altered iii commit lee. that it never reached the House. It was impossible to get it through Ihe House owing to wirepulling by commercial linns, lie was concent rating on settlement ol the superphosphate question, hut realised that the two Rills in question were necessary to safeguard farmers. Air G. \Y. Lead ley said the great stumbling block to the Pure Seeds Rill was (lie inclusion of elm 11. Votes of thanks to Mr Noswortliy anil Dr Reakes were carried b\ acclamation.