BLIGHT IN POTATOES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 204, 27 August 1909, Page 7

BLIGHT IN POTATOES.

THE AUSTRAL-TAN EMBARGO. It is not generally considered likelj' that there will be any satisfactory otttcome of the petition, to have the ehbargo lifted oil New Zealand po-tatoes as far as Australia is concerned. It is pointed out that the prohibition regulations have only .been in force for 12 months, and that with the drastic steps now being taken to keep out Tasmanian potatoes, which may possibly be affected, it is hardly iikely that any exemption will be made in favour of New Zealand tuhers, since blight is still prevalent, though not so rampant as in previous seasons.

An Auckland merchant, speaking on the subject, said that it was not considered the least bit likely that the embargo -would be removed, since Southern potatoes arriving in Auckland at the present time are often found to be blighted, despite the fact that they have been picked over and declared exempt. Another indication Lliat no removal of the exemption is considered possible is the fact that potatoes are easier in price to-day than they were a week ago. Despite the fact that the Auckland market is absolutely bare, Southern potat° e3 ar e quoted at 70/ f.0.b., as agains,t 75/ last week. If the Australian embargo is lifted, the price locally would go up to £10 per ton, dim. nl view pf the fact, that the new season's crop in New South Wales will be available in a (few weeks, it is not considered at all feasible that the prohibitory regulations on New Zealand tubers will be removed.