CHEAPER POTATOES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 168, 17 July 1924, Page 4

CHEAPER POTATOES.

HOARDING SOUTHERN SUPPLIES. A SCHEME THAT FAILED. According to a statement made to-day by a man in the trade, potato growers in the South who have been hoarding supplies with intent to force up prices on the consumer, have found their cupidity checkmated. Not only are Aucklanders assured of early heavy supplies of prime tubers, but those who set out to exploit them are due to sit on the stool of repentance—regretting; that they did not sell at a fair price j when the" opportunity offered, instead _ot j seeking to squeeze "the market. '"Xot, only have the Southern growers come; 'flop,' but they have pulled a number Of • merchants with them," said the "Star s | informant. "The merchants have been | buying at from £6 to £8 a ton, f.0.b., from the Southern farmers, who have been parting with only small quantities at a time. These prices have been paid for August and August-September deliveries, and the price in the South to-day is £5 10/ for same delivery. The explanation of this contretemps is that merchants, failing to secure supplies from those hoarding them in j the South, placed orders in Melbourne, Victoria and in Devonport, Tasmania. Victorian rates were £3 15/ a ton as .against £i 10/ for Tasmamans a little; I while The potatoes irom the north j of Tasmania are as tine as are grown in any part of the world, but the prices of "these had to come down in sympathy with Victorian potatoes, which were in very plentiful supply. Therefore supplies for Auckland have been purchased at both Melbourne and Devonport at £3 15/, and these should be landed here at £0 15/ a ton at the most, this including £1 a ton duty, freight, and losses in weight. The s s Koromiko is due at the weekend from Melbourne and Devonport With 11500 bags of potatoes, and she will be followed by the s.s. Kaiwarra and the s $ Karori, both with full consignments. Thus the public are assured of cheap potatoes for some time to come. ''Won't this hit the Southern farmers pretty hard/" asked the "Star man P '-Serve them right," was the reply. '•They wouldn't be satisfied with a fair thing." ___——==