Potatoes From Australia

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 15059, 20 August 1949, Page 3

Potatoes From Australia

First Shipments For Many Years ' Condition Of Auckland Cargoes (P.A.) Chrisfchurch, Aug. 19. For the first .time for many years, potatoes are to be imported to New Zealand. Arrangements have been made for the shipment to the North Island, principally Auckland, in the immediate future of two consignments from Austra.ia aggregating about 1000 sacks.

The importation is being made by merchants affiliated to the New Zealand Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants' Federation by arrangement with the Government, and the two shipments may be the forerunner of others this year. South Island merchants expect an acute shortage of potatoes before the new season's early varieties are on the market. "On the present outlook there will riot be enough potatoes south of Cook Strait to supply the South Island's own requirements for the rest of the year," said one merchant today. It is well over ten years Since potatoes were imported to New Zealand. A message from Auckland states that potatoes were unloaded all dav Friday from the coastal ships Waiana and Waipori and today watersiders wi'l again work the two vessels, which are berthed at King's Wharf and . Prince's Wharf tivelv. A steady stream of sacks was lifted from the'' hclds ;and either stacked in the sheds of carted aW-ay to. the markets. A damp rot seemed to hayc spread, through, some of the sacks unloaded from the.'. Waipori', but ,those from the Waiana appeared

to' be' in' fairly good condition; ' A rough survey indicated that a large percentafge of the stored cargo consisted of seed potatoes, some of which, had sprouted badly and become leathery. -As carriers will not be working today the potatoes not already removed from the wharves will have to remain there: ■ for a further two days.:,• ./ . • ',.■ .' .