MANURE MIXTURES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32306, 30 August 1943, Page 6

MANURE MIXTURES

USE OF SERPENTINE DISSATISFIED FARMERS INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS The attitude of the Government. in regard to the sale of serpentine super was discussed at the monthly meeting of the provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union last week. Mr J. W. Jone's (Papakura) said that there was a great dissatisfaction among farmers at the refusal of the Minister of Agriculture, Mr J. G. Barclay, to allow them to procure superphosphate and local lime separately and to do their own mixing.

The president, Captain H. M. Bushworth. said he. had heard the Minister

say that his mind was made up and that the matter was not open for discussion. If they wanted superphosphate they must have it mixed for serpentine. The Minister said the tests had proved that serpentine contained traces of minerals necessary to the sustenance of plant and animal life. Mr Barclay also alleged that all the agitation came from one firm in Auckland. He (the speaker), doubted the accuracy of this statement. He had the impression that the Government was in a difficulty regarding the price of the fertiliser and that, it was diluting it in consequence. / Tests Made Public Mr H. .Johnstone (Whatawhata) said he understood that tests of serpentine had recently been made at Ruakura, but the results had not been made public. .Some people said they had heard that the results were negative. He thought they should be published. I The president said that laboratory ■ tests were useless, as practically all ' rock contained some traces of mineral I salts. At least 16 different mineral ' salts were necessary to plant and ani- ' mal life. They must return to the land what was taken out of it. Farmers who were experts in the requirements of their own land should be allowed to decide what fertilisers they should use. The matter should/ be brought before Parliament. ■ Mr A. McConaughy (Paparoa) moved, and it w*as carried, that Messrs W. J. Broadfoot and W. J. Polson, M.P.’s, be asked to raise the question in Parliament. On the motion of Mr Johnstone, it was also decided that the Dominion executive.should be asked to obtain an independent analysis of serpentine.