NOT ECONOMIC

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22242, 30 January 1947, Page 4

NOT ECONOMIC

POTATO COSTS OUT OF HAND DEPUTATION PUTS CASE ' Yesterday morning in Wellington the combined, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, and Rangitikei potatogrowers as a deputation waited on the Minister of Agriculture. Mr. E. L. Cullen, and placed before him figures and balance-sheets in support of their contention that potato-growing was 'uneconomic because costs were out of hand. Gisborne growers, represented by Mr. E. K. F. Cameron as chairman of the Gisborne Potato-Growers' Association, Mr. J. Allen, a member of the association. and Mr. T. A. N. Corson, on behalf of fruit and produce merchants, stressed the fact that if it had not been for the Gisborne-grown potatoes during the past two years the potato famine in the Dominion over the OctoberNovember periods would have been more acute than was the case. They said that if immediate action was not taken by the Government to find a suitable remedy farmers cropping potatoes in the Gisborne district would revert back to profitable lines and a serious situation would be created next season. Gisborne had been serving a much-felt need.

Increases were wanted in areas cropping potatoes and by raising the problems faced by the growers at this stage it was felt that the growers’ position could be investigated and necessary changes made to encourage the higher production rate.

The urgency of the case was stressed, because of orders to be placed for seed, and the deputation asked the Government to make a quick decision. The case of the growers was patiently and sympathetically heard by Mr. Cullen. who explained that he was unable to give an immediate decision, but .said he would place the deputation’s case before the Cabinet at the first available opportunity.