The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1947. POTATO FAMINE.

Evening Star, Issue 25994, 8 January 1947, Page 4

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1947. POTATO FAMINE.

In an unusually'backward season, such as is being experienced in the south this year, the mechanical fixing of prices for vegetables ceases to be effective, and it is not surprising that Dunedin residents are experiencing a potato famine. It is questionable whether the present local demand could be satisfied with supplies from provincial districts, or even farther afield,' in the special circumstances, and the position is aggravated by a natural disinclination of growers to dig immature crops at the present fixed prices. In most city gardens the tubers are growing very slowly, and are not yet ready for digging, so the demand on greengrocers’ supplies is unusually heavy. Some flexibility in prices is clearly necessary if the immediate market position is to improve, as for several days since the beginning of the month the local shops have been bare of supplies. In fixing the returns that growers may receive, the Price Tribunal has taken into consideration the varying conditions in different parts of New Zealand for a normal season. For instance, the North , Island grower is entitled to receive during January only £l2 a ton, compared with a ceiling price of £25 in the South Island. That would be a reasonable allowance for the later southern season in an average year, but the crops this season have been unusually retarded. The retail price was dropped arbitrarily from 6d per lb in December to 4|d per lb this month, and growers are disinclined to accept the severe reduction at a time when the potatoes are still very small. Given more favourable weather, the crops should develop rapidly in the next few weeks, and there will, be an inducement for growers to dig their early crops before the end of January, because on February 1 the wholesale price will fall £lO a ton.

The various interests are at present engaged in making representations to the authorities about methods that would meet, the situation. It will be argued, of course, that the present retail price of 4Jd per lb is high enough for the; consumer, but protection for the retail buyer is valueless if it results in a bare market. Judging from the prices that have been charged, for such uncontrolled lines as strawberries, cherries, peas, and cauliflowers this season, it is obvious that some measure of price control is still required on essential • items, but in unusual conditions some flexibility should be allowed. The criticism of the chairman of the produce market trade that fixed prices have resulted in the public being automatically charged the ceiling rate, whatever the wholesale price, is a valid one, hut that does not necessarily mean that the abandonment of price control would mean cheaper retail prices. All that is required is authority for local adjustments to he made in exceptional circumstances, such as those that are prevailing in the south at present.