POTATO SHORTAGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 146, 22 June 1945, Page 6

POTATO SHORTAGE

MARKET IS ALMOST BARE SHIPMENT DUB TO-NIGHT Another crisis in the potato supply position was reached to-day when, with the exception of one firm which is reported to have disposed of 20 or 30 bags, the city markets were bare of potatoes. The failure of supplies on the eve of the week-end will cause embarrassment in many homes.

Early relief, however, is coming. A shipment is due to-night from the south and another on Monday, but it is officially stated that the shipments are not heavy, and they are not expected to satisfy the demand. Heavy seas and gales which have affected coastal shipping for some weeks are blamed for the shortage.

Hospitals, camps and other institutions, which have priority claims on potato supplies from the , south have not gone short owing to careful control exercised by a committee of merchants which operates in "cooperation with the food controller. When the last shipment of 10,000 sacks arrived some three weeks ago the committee put aside not only the usual priorities, but also reserves on which to draw if the next shipment were delayed. The success of this policy is demonstrated by the fact that the reserves have been eked out and will tide over the priority people till the fresh supplies are distributed. On the other hand the outlook is still gloomy for the ordinary consumer.

Small quantities of what were described as new potatoes came on the market on Tuesday last and brought up to 1/4 per lb wholesale. They were very small and in bulk hardly affected the supply position. New potatoes in any quantity cannot be expected till the end of next month or early in August.