POTATO SURPLUS OF 20,000 TONS IN CANTERBURY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22732, 2 September 1948, Page 6

POTATO SURPLUS OF 20,000 TONS IN CANTERBURY

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 2. There are in Canterbury at present approximately 20,000 tons of potatoes, valued at over £200,000. for which no market can be found. These figures were given by the chairman of the South Canterbury potato section of the Federated Farmers, Mr. T. L. Hayman. He said there were 100,000 sacks in South Canterbury and a survey being made in Mid-Canterbury was expected to reveal a surplus in those two districts of 200,000 sacks. “Unless appreciable assistance is given the potato-growers of Canterbury soon, very small acreages will be planted next season, ’ said Mr. Hayman. “I think the authorities are doing everything humanly possible to arrange an export outlet, and failing that I am certain they will treat the potatogrowers fairly. They must, otherwise they will not get many potatoes next year. I am certain that the Ministers concerned are well aware of all the implications and complications of the situation.” Mr Hayman said there was a need for growers to receive something on account at the present time against the standing liability of the Government to take over all surplus potatoes in the possession of farmers on November 30. Assuming that no market could be found for the present surplus, compensation should be paid to growers in monthly instalments until the final settlement was made.