Part 8

Page 584
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This transcription is complete

FRIDAY, 11th MAY, 1917. (At Perth.) Present: J.O Giles, Esq. (Chairman), H. H. Paynter, Esq., F. E. Venn, Esq. GEORGE LOWE SUTTON, further examined:

9162. By the CHAIRMAN: What legislation is there in this State to protect the use of fertilisers?—We have an Act called An Act relating to the Sale of Fertilisers and Foodstuffs. In addition to that we have an amendment dealing with certain clauses.

9163. What are the principle provisions of the principal Act?—First that no fertiliser shall be sold in this state unless it has been registered at the Department of Agriculture and the quantity of plant food that it contains guaranteed.

9163. By Mr. VENN: They say that a lot of butchers are manufacturing their own bone dust?—I do not think that is so, but they cannot sell it unless they register their product with the department and specify what that bone dust contains.

9165. By the CHAIRMAN: What is the feature of the amending is an old one and we treat the act and the amendment as one. In order that this might be understood, I instructed the Inspector of Fertilisers in 1914 to get out a pamphlet which explains the Act and the amendment for the benefit of merchants and farmers.

9166. Has the Act been found to work well in actual practice?—Very well. There are two or three alterations that would be beneficial as the result of experience, and these are now being drafted into a Bill with a view of introducing a new measure or a consolidating Act so as to introduce some new features which time has shown are desirable. For instance, in connection with the present Act, there is no provision for the sale of lime except by regulation. In order to protect the farmers a regulation was issued stating that lime that is sold shall contain not less than 80 per cent, of calcium carbonate. There may be deposits of lime close to a farm which contains less calcium carbonate than that which the Act allows, but these deposits though valuable to the farmers of that districts cannot be sold for agricultural purposes. To overcome that difficulty an amendment is desired that will allow the lime to be sold by specifying the amount of calcium carbonate or calcium oxide which it contains, as is done with essential ingredients in other manures. Another amendment which I think is desirable is in connection with organic manures. These, to some extent, fluctuated in quality. In regard to the amount of phosphoric acid and nitrogen which they contain, and the desire is to amend the Act in order to provide for a reasonable fluctuation.

8167. By Mr. VENN: Have the different guanos to be registered?—Yes.

9168 By the CHAIRMAN: What is the super-vision exercised in order to ensure to the purchaser a supply of fertiliser in accordance with the registration and certificate?—There is an office in the department whose main duty it is to attend to this work. He does so by taking samples of the imported fertiliser at various ports in the State, and at intervals by taking samples of fertilisers manufactured in the state. Sometimes he goes to the place of manufacture. At other times he takes samples in course of transit and at any other places he can get them, provided they have not been received by the farmer. He cannot take samples after they have been received by the purchaser because they may then have been interfered with. As to fertiliser from overseas, these are not allowed to be cleared unless the inspector has taken samples.

9169. Are you in a position to say that certain complaints made to us in country districts that the sale of certain fertilisers is not supervised is without foundation?—I can say that is not so. I can give you absolute proof of that. I have here a sample book which gives an idea of the number of samples taken in connection with that work. I should think about 30 samples have been taken this year, but I am not quite certain about the actual number, as the last date in the book is 28th April.

9170. Is it found that the principle manured at all times contain the requisite proportions set forth in the registration?—It is. There are very few cases in which they do not comply with the standard. I suppose you refer to those manufactures locally?

9171. Yes?—I go further, and say they contain what they are guaranteed to contain. Such a statement as you indicate would only be made by those not familiar with what is being done. I know there is a general belief to that effect, but it is unwarranted and unfounded. As to mixed fertilisers, I am agreeably surprised to find that the samples taken are so invariably up to the standard.

9172. By Mr PAYNTER: Do they exceed the analysis to any extent?—In some eases they do. Some time ago a complaint was made to the Minister that a reduction had been made by the local companies in the quality of the superphosphate. I took the trouble to look into the analyses of the samples which had been taken since the change had been made. About 75 per cent. of the samples taken are above the guarantee. To show how unfounded this complaint is, I will instance one case. It was