POTATO BOARD MEMBERS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28669, 20 August 1958, Page 17

POTATO BOARD MEMBERS

Growers Seek Change A deputation from the executive of the Dominion Potato Committee will wait on the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Skinner) seeking an increase in the grower representation on the New Zealand Potato Board. This decision was announced by the chairman. Mr V. W. Wilson, after a meeting of the committee in Christchurch y< Mr r wjson said that as growers provided all the board’s funds through the levy on potatoes they should have more representation on the board and. as a result, more say in how these funds were US lt d had also been pointed out. he said, that the Potato Board was the only statutory board which did not have a grower majority. . “We feel that the position with three grower and three merchant representatives is very detrimental to the progress of the industry.” The executive would also oe pressing for control of grading and classification of potatoes, including the appointment of graders, by the Potato Board, said Mr Wilson. In the past, merchants had appointed port graders, but the growers had paid half of the cost and the consumers the other half. "This we consider is the tail wagging the dog," he said. “On a matter of principle it should be the board that is responsible for appointment of graders and grading and classification.” Members of the committee referred to damage caused to potatoes at ports when they were handled in slings, and the committee supported the Potato Board in its representations- for the use of trays instead of slings. An approach will also be made to the Internal Revenue Department in’ an effort to have the provisions for the deduction of P.A.Y.E. taxation from casual labour, particularly potato pickers, simplified.