CHEAPER FERTILISERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5150, 11 July 1927, Page 3

CHEAPER FERTILISERS.

A SOLUTION TO DIFFICULTIES.

VIEWS OF MR. A. M. SAMUEL M.P.

Following on the remarks made by Mr D. S. Reid, member; for Waikato, in the House on Friday afternoon, in connection with the plight of the farmers of the Ngaroma Settlement, Mr A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) urged the cultivation of optimism and not of pessimism in connection with farming and industries. “We must boost our assets, and not tell people the fish we are sealing were caught the week before last,” he said. The present difficulties would soon be overcome if all classes worked together in a harmonious effort. Cheap fertilisers would solve most of the troubles, said Mr Samuel. Unfortunately there was a fertiliser war going on between the large proprietary and small co-operative companies, and if the large companies eliminated the small ones, then the farmer would have to pay for the war; and pay very dearly. He suggested that the Government should refuse to supply Nauru phosphate rock to those companies which would not sell fertilisers at a fair, price to fanners. Failing that, the Government should enter into the fertiliser business. A little Socialism of that kind did no harm sometimes.