POTATO DISEASE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 13

POTATO DISEASE

AUSTRALIAN EMBARGO

DEPUTATION TO MR. LYONS

NON-COMMITTAL EEPLY

United Presa . Association—By Electric Tele critpli—Copyright- ■ CANBERRA,,May 5. The Prime Minister, the Hon. J. A. Lyons, declined to commit the Commonwealth Government to tiny definite course of action in regard to the embargo'against the importation of New Zealand potatoes when a largo deputation of potato-growers waited on him today to protest "against the rcportod intention. to lift the embargo. Mr. Lyons assured the deputation that nothing could be done for at least two months.; . ■ The Prime Minister Emphasised the need for the successful completion of the negotiations with New Zealand for a trado agreement and hoped to convince New Zealand that the potato embargo was purely a quarantine procaution. Mr. Lyons added that the Commonwealth Government was aware that" there was a feeling of antagonism towards Australia over this embargo and what New Zealanders regarded as the general attitude of opposition to their interests. .-,..,,. , -.■: .■.'■.':■■ "We want to be able to prove to New, Zealand that there; is ho justification for lifting the embargo. We must produce the actual facts in order to combat their retaliation." Mr. F. Harris, a member of the deputation, said he investigated potatogrowing in New Zealand on behalf of the Commonwealth six years ago, and ascertained that with the exception of about 700 acres there-was not one area in both islands free .from, corky scab. ■