LIFTING OF BAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 4

LIFTING OF BAN

AUSTRALIAN POTATOES EFFECT ON LOCAL MARKET (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Chief interest in the grain and produce markets this week has been the announcement by the Government that it would brine: into New Zealand potatoes from Australia. This will be the first importation of any consequence since about 1924, when Australia HrsL declined to allow New Zealand potatoes to be exported to Australia. The market locally has not so lar reacted as much as might have been expected. Whites and Dakotas showing a drop of 10/ to 15/ a ton. Suttons also decreased in price. Business in potatoes has almost ceased, and any quotation is more or less nominal.

It is understood that the Government purchase is for supply to military camps, but as the camps have been important buyers of potatoes recently the removal of this source of buying from the normal market may have a greater effect than has become apparent so far. The Government has informed the trade that potatoes for its own requirements will be handled through the Marketing Department, but it is understood that a request that outside this potatoes imported from Australia should be handled through the normal channels of trade has drawn no promise from the Government. It is believed that two shipments of Australian potatoes have already arrived or have been arranged and that more are contemplated, but there is no information on what quantity will be imported, when or where they will arrive or what price has been paid for them. For a number of years it has been possible to import Australian potatoes by permit, but there is no record that any permit has been issued. The lifting of what has virtually amounted to a ban may possibly mean that I the Australian Government has under considera- i tion the relaxation of its ban on New Zealand I rota toes.

The onion position locally has weakened. There is no change in the quotation, which remains nominal at £12 a ton, but there are reports that buyers have been making inquiries in the north for their requirements. The offerings here are fairly free, but the season is late and rejections are apt to be heavy. The small seeds market remains unchanged, with very little business passing in any line. The final increment has gone on to the price of wheat, the quotation having risen by a bushel.