CONDITION OF POTATOES FROM TASMANIA

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 28, 27 October 1945, Page 8

CONDITION OF POTATOES FROM TASMANIA

Rural problems were the main subjects discussed duiing the Im prest Supply Bill debate in the House of Representatives yesterday. Opposition members criticized the absence of a farmers represen from the New Zealand Delegation to the Food and Agriculture Uiganization Conference in Quebec, and also statements made at that conference by the leader of the delegation, Mr. D. Wilson, who is Hig Commissioner for New Zealand in Canada. . ' The Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, said that if anyone was to blame for there being no farmer representation in the delegation it was himself for the papers he had before him at the time suggeste ia conference was purely an official one. He thought now that a producer could have helped. ' . . . „ „ Reference was also made to the recent importation of' lasmaman potatoes to relieve the shortage of supplies in New Zealand, beyeiai Opposition members, including two who had seen the consignment unloaded at Wellington, criticized the Internal Marketing Divisions handling of the transaction, and claimed that a much larger proportion had been unfit for human consumption than the Minister of Marketing, Mr. Roberts, had led them to believe when questioned on the subject in the House. Government speakers said that shipping difficulties were responsible for the condition in which the potatoes anved in Mew ZCal The Imprest Supply Bill provided for an appropriation of £15,858,000, representing two months’ supply. . ... Before the House adjourned for the long weekend the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, said that assuming normal progress was made he believed it would be possible to finish the session by the end of November. He added that there might be some important legislation introduced next week. . The House rose at 4.45 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday.