POTATOES FOR NORTH ISLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25548, 16 July 1948, Page 8

POTATOES FOR NORTH ISLAND

SHIPMENTS AHEAD OF LAST YEAR SERIOUS HOLD-UP NOT EXPECTED Although the Auckland waterfront dispute has been settled, all three “potato ships” are at present in Auckland, and no shipment of potatoes from Lyttelton to the north before next month is expected. Seasonal conditions expedited the early marketing of potatoes, and many growers are anxious to sell their potatoes immediately rather than wait for the monthly price increments; but the general opinion of the trade is that the “position might be worse.” In shipments to North Island ports, the statistical position ih North Canterbury at the moment is known to be sound. Up until July 10—the date of the last shipment—a total of 112,963 sacks of potatoes, seed as well as table, had been shipped from Lyttelton. Actually, this quantity is 2051 sacks up on last season, and is ahead, too, of the deliveries for at least three years. Statistical Position Detailed figures of this season’s shipments are as under, with the quantities for last season: 1948. 1947. !

In 1946 the total quantity shipped from Lyttelton at this stage in the season was only 109,000 sacks and in 1945 103,000 sacks. The Christchurch manager of the Union Steam Ship Company (Mr W. A. Smith) said that there were reasonable prospects of the Korowai being back at Lyttelton within a fortnight, and the Koromiko and Kaimanawa later in August. Total applications for freight to Auckland at present on file amounted to 12,000 tons—other merchandise as well as potatoes —and he did not expect any serious hold-up of potatoes. The general views of Christchurch merchants , were summarised by one large shipper and confirmed by two others handling appreciably large quantities. “Admittedly,” said this man, “there is at present a fairly heavy back-log of potatoes in North Canterbury awaiting an immediate outlet—an accumulation largely induced by extraordinarily favourable digging conditions—but the season has a fairly long way yet to go, and, when everything is washed up, it is doubtful whether there will be too many f.a.q. grade potatoes le<t for the Government to take over.”

Effect of Disease He attributed this situation to the prevalence of scab in heavier proportions than usual, combined with the expectation that the over-all crop o/ table potatoes in North Canterbury this year would average about one ton less than last year. t Unfavourable weather in the North Island, too, might mean a later harvest for early potatoes, thus affording South Island potatoes an extra month or six weeks trading. That scab is fairly prevalent in the potato crops is shown by the experience of one North Canterbury grower who recently dug 100 acres of potatoes, only to find the bulk of the crop of 500 tons considerably affected by the disease. These potatoes, of course, are not regarded as a total loss, but they can only be sold at a discount—providing the market is there—of a minimum of 20s a ton. and possibly at a greater discount. Even in normal times North Island merchants will only accept them on consignment, at grower’s risk.

AUCKLAND PORT TROUBLES ROYAL COMMISSION SUGGESTED (PA.) AUCKLAND, July 15. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce wants the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) to declare a state of emerg-en-?7 ? n Auckland waterfront, and will also ask him to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate troubles affecting the port. When the resolution was discussed this morning, members did not know that watersiders intended to resume normal work, but when advice was received the chairman (Mr J. F Johnston) said this did not affect the chamber’s decision. Though the watersiders had agreed to go back to work they would probably find some other trouble soon. The state of emergency declared by the British Government during the London dockers’ strike was a precedent for Mr Fraser. GLENBANK TO BE WORKED (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, July 15. On the instruction of the national executive, the New Plymouth branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union refused to handle the Auckland section of the Glenbank’s cargo but after to-day’s, agreement the ship will be manned on all holds to-morrow.

NO DICTATION OF TERMS STATEMENT BY MR MCLAGAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 15. “The assertion that the Government had ever tried to dictate the terms of reference of the waterfront dispute to the tribunal is absurd,” said the Minister of Labour (M" a. McLagan) to-night. “It was at the union’s suggestion that the Government submitted its proposals for an order of reference and the fact that they were submitted to the union for its consideration shows that it has been the Government’s desire from the outset to arrive at an agreement on this matter. “In fact, when the Government’s proposals were announced I said that all parties concerned were being consulted in regard to the terms of reference and I made it clear that it was the Government’s desire that the terms should be drawn up by agreement between all of the parties concerned. Mr Barnes, on the other hand, after drawing up counter-proposals, failed to continue the discussion on the terms of reference with the other parties, and left Wellington, as did the union’s solicitor, and did not return to Wellington to resume discussion of the terms of reference until he was invited to do so by the Federation of Labour. “Had the matter been left to Mr Barnes, the terms of reference would not yet have been agreed upon. Mr Barnes pays no compliment to the public’s intelligence in asking them to believe his absurd story of attempted dictation in this matter. “His tale of a lock-out when actually his members went home on the advice of an official of his own union, is in the same class.” HATCH SAFETY RULES MR HACKETT SAID TO SUPPORT UNION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 15. A request for an early amendment to the Harbour Regulations governing safety provisions for the handling of ship’s hatches was sought by the Waterside Workers’ Union when its representatives, supported by the national executive of the Federation of Labour, met the Minister of Marine (Mr F. Hackett) tir-day. Amendment of the regulations was one of the points raised by the union during the Mountpark dispute. It is understood that the Minister gave an assurance that he would make a favourable report to Cabinet. ,

Sacks. Sacks. Auckland 46.781 25,794 Wellington 24,161 43.266 Other East Coast ports 19,246 17,277 West Coast ports < North Island 21,175 18,500 West Coast, South Island 1,600 524 - Totals 112,963 110,912