GARDEN SEED SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 8

GARDEN SEED SUPPLIES

“NO REASON TO EXPECT SHORTAGE” VIEW OF PRICE TRIBUNAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 12. The opinion that the higher cost of vegetable seeds has not had any appreciable effect on the prices which have been charged for vegetables, is expressed by the Price Tribunal in its findings on the causes for high vegetable prices. The tribunal adds that it is understood that steps have been taken by the Department of Agriculture to produce within New Zealand many classes of seed which were previously imported. “Before the war first-class cabbage seeds were imported from France, and celery seed from Czechoslovakia," it is stated, “Other gardening seeds were no doubt imported from various parts of Europe. The war has made it impossible for this practice to continue, with the result that seeds have had to be imported from other countries, some of which are not so reliable as those formerly imported. The prices of these substituted seeds are higher than formerly, and frequently production has been lessened by the change. “Mr W. A. G. Dentice, president of the Wellington Seed Association, stated that with the exception of leek seeds, a shortage of which was worldwide, there had been ample supplies of other vegetable seeds in New Zealand during the last season. He did not think that the increase in the cost of seeds had had any appreciable effect on the prices at present being paid for vegetables in New Zealand. “He assured the tribunal that there was no reason to anticipate that there would be any shortage of vegetable seeds in New Zealand during the next year or so. It appears from the statement of Mr Dentice that New Zealand seedsmen have the position well in hand, and that there is no reason to expect any shortage of supplies during the next year or so at any rate.”