PURCHASE OF UNSOLD POTATOES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23891, 9 March 1943, Page 4

PURCHASE OF UNSOLD POTATOES

MINISTER GIVES GUARANTEE

PRICE OF SOUTH ISLAND CROP (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 8. “The price order provides that any South Island potatoes sold in March must receive the price of £8 10s a ton. The Government does not guarantee the individual grower the certainty of a sale in any particular month,” said the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) to-day. when asked by “The Press” if the Government was taking any action to buy potatoes at £8 10s, and if there was any market. The Minister was also asked if any potatoes were being bought at that price for camp requirements. “In so far as potatoes for the armed forces are concerned.” he said, “the provisions under the regulations strictly apply, and potatoes will be bought at £8 10s. As has been stated, a marketing authority will be set up shortly with the power of directing and relating the sale of potatoes throughout the season. “We guarantee that any potatoes not sold at the end of the normal season will be purchased by the Government at the price of £7 5s a ton, with 10s a ton premium for Suttons.”