BIG SURPLUS OF POTATOES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 6

BIG SURPLUS OF POTATOES

BOARD PREPARES TO PAY COMPENSATION

COMMITTEES ASSESS GROWERS’ STOCKS

Thousands of tons of surplus potatoes are being held by growers in the South Island this year. On the basis of growers’ assessments there is a surplus of 19,300 tons of fate average quality potatoes. The chairman of the New Zealand Potato Board (Mr G. H. Blair, of Christchurch) believes that when grading committees complete their work the surplus “may bo in the vicinity of 12,000 tons.”

The board has available for distribution to growers, out of its own funds, a sum of £75,000.

Mr Blair said that, the board had asked growers, through a questionnaire,. What potatoes they would have left over which would grade up to fate average .quality. Growers had. naturally been optimistic in making their estimates. In addition, some potatoes could have been sold since the estimates had been made and in some cases growers had shown ignorance of the requirements governing their participation in compensation payments. The board accepted responsibility only for fair average quality potatoes grown under contract to it. Growers had the of growing their crops under contract to the board or not. They could enter into a contract at no cost to themselves. Some of those laying Claims had no contracts with the board and others included seed and undergrade potatoes In their estimates. Growers had estimated a total surplus in the South Island of 19,300 tons. “Just what will be the final quantity the board will be liable for is anybody’s guess.” said Mr Blate, “but it certainly will not be anywhere near 19,300 tons. It will not be as low as half that quantity, but it might be in the vicinity of 12,000 tons.” Grading Committees’ Work

The board would naturally not accept the growers’ estimates of what fair average quality potatoes they were holding, and grading committees, each consisting of a port grader—who normally graded potatoes for export io the North Island—a farmers’ representative, and a representative of the board, had begun work assessing growers’ surplus holdings. Two and sometimes three committees had been working in North Canterbury this week, two In South Canterbury, and another was due to begin work m Otago next week. There was no significant surplus of potatoes in lhe North Island, added Mr Blair. “The board, from its own funds, has approximately £75,000 available for distribution.” he said. The pay-out to growers would be made as soon as it was possible to assess accurately the quantity of potatoes left over. "Hie board would probably reach a decision at the -end of the month, and It hoped to make a distribution to growers before Christmas. ' ~ , . , The board had not yet decided what should be done with the surplus potatoes, said Mr Blair. There was no chance of exporting any, as there was a world surplus this year. “No f.a.q. potatoes under contract to the board have been dumped yet.” he said. ’"Hiere may be some rubbish being dumped, but rubbishy potatoes have been dumped right from the start of the season." , , j . Asked how the surplus would affect new season’s plantings, Mr Blair said some people holding seed might be inclined to plant it. but others who had not obtained a high price for their potatoes this season might be inclined to dump their seed. "Because there is not much of a margin between a surplus and a shortage, nobody can. tell what will haopen, but I should think that there will be an acreage that will be sufficient for our requirements.