POTATO PLANTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22625, 30 April 1948, Page 4

POTATO PLANTING

BEFORE CAMPAIGN? MINISTERIAL APPEAL SYMPATHY OF FARMERS A doubt that many of the potatoes grown in Gisborne in the past season were intended as an aid-to-Britain effort was raised at the annual meeting of the Gisborne branch of Federated Farmers yesterday, but the discussion brought out the fact that growers of the district had been assured of a market by the Minister of Marketing, Mr. E. L. Cullen, prior to the campaign opening. “Mention must be made of the unfortunate position tnat has arisen with the potato-grower, who was asked to produce more by the Government,” stated the annual report of the chairman, Mr. F. E. Humphreys, which drew attention to the glut in potatoes. Costs Not Covered “When he had grown them he was unable to sell them for enough to cover the cost of production. These iarmers acted in all good faith in increasing their production and, although it would be poor consolation to them, I would like to take this opportunity of telling them that we, who are engaged in other branches of farming, extend to them our sincere sympathy,” concluded Mr. Humphreys. “In regard to the potato disaster of this past season 1 have been informed that the bulk of the early potatoes of the district were planted before the aid-to-Britain compaign for increased production started and it is difficult, under the circumstances, to attach the blame to the Government,” said Mr. C. H. Williams. “Maybe there is something in what Mr. Williams says in regard to the aid-to-Britain campaign, but the Minister of Agriculture did ask the growers to produce more and announced that all the potatoes planted would be needed,” said Mr. C. H. Cooper. “I think that the growers were lead astray in that matter.” , ..

Mr. Cooper suggested that production of that type should be planned and by that means, he thought, any possibility of a glut could be avoided. Growers then would produce the requirements of the districts concerned. “There was a certain amount of blame cast upon the federation and that was not quite fair,” concluded Mr. C. H. Williams.