POTATO SHORTAGE AT DUNEDIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25085, 17 January 1947, Page 5

POTATO SHORTAGE AT DUNEDIN

MANY SALES MADE BY GROWERS <P-A.) DUNEDIN. January 15. Although some potatoes are finding their way into Dunedin, the acute shortage remains and many persons are still without supplies, Even the relief that could formerly be obtained by purchases direct from market gardens appears now to be denied motorists who have been able to make the run to Taieri. Dunedin residents who have gone hopefully to market gardens duirng the last two days have found that at all easily accessible gardens the early crop of potatoes has been completely sold out. More than , a week has passed since the Price Tribunal in Wellington was approached about inc-easing the price of potatoes, but so far the only response has been a statement that the matter is receiving consideration, y Merchants say the position has gone from bad to worse. Many growers having sold the bulk of their early crops, intend to save the balance for seed purposes. “Price order No. 596 is simply a piece of paper, and is worthless from the price order point of view.” a merchant said “The black market in potatoes has never been worse than at present, and while some retailers are selling at 4Jd under the price order numbers are openly flouting the order

and are charging 6d per lb. In fact many retailers seem to be proud of the fact that they are deceiving the inspectors, and can be heard any morning in the salerooms openly stating that they are charging 6d per lb. “The price order as it exists shows that there will be a further drop of £lO a ton on February 1,” the merchant added. “What will be the reaction to this is difficult to guess, but it is quite apparent that the same conditions are likely to rule next month as apply at present. This means that a man with a motor-car will be able to buy his potatoes at the week-end. but the man who is not so fortunate will have to purchase at black market nri cps from the shops.”