USE OF SERPENTINE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32411, 24 March 1944, Page 5

USE OF SERPENTINE

OBJECTION BY FARMERS QUESTION ASKED IN HOUSE Would the Minister of Agriculture favourably consider the advisability of making the use of serpentine super by farmers optional? asked Mr A. S. Sutherland, National M.P. for Hauraki, in the House of Representatives. Mr Sutherland said' many compulsory users of serpentine super considered they would receive better results from straight super or super and lime mixed. It was contended that lime was more soluble than serpentine. He said there was much dissatisfaction amongst the farming community over the compulsory use of serpentine super.

NO CHANGE IN REGULATIONS QUESTION BY MR SUTHERLAND “The Government is not prepared at present to relax the regulations regarding serpentine superphosphate,” said the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. B. Roberts, in a written reply in the House of Representatives to a question by Mr A. S. Sutherland (Opposition—Hauraki). He added that there had been no change in the position to warrant a reversal of the existing regulations.

MORE RAILWAY WAGGONS EARLY INCREASE' EXPECTED With the livestock traffic now tapering off it was anticipated that it would be possible in the near future to increase the supply of railway waggons for, the conveyance of fertiliser, stated the Minister of Railways, the Hon. R. Semple, in the House of Representatives. He was replying to a question by Mr A. J. Murdoch (Marsden) and Mr A. S. Sutherland (Hauraki), Opposition members who inquired whether in view of the urgent necessity for fertilisers for the North Auckland and Waikato lands more rolling stock for transport would be provided'. The Minister said that rail restrictions had been necessary in January when the department was faced- "with the problem of handling the peak seasonal traffic in livestock in addition to other essential commodities.