Potatoes to Be Imported to Auckland From Australia

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1949, Page 5

Potatoes to Be Imported to Auckland From Australia

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, August 19. For the first time in many years, potatoes are to be imported to New Zealand, arrangements having been made for shipment to the North Island, principally Auckland, in the immediate future of two consignments from Australia aggregating about 1000 tons. Tins importation is being made by merchants affiliated 1o the New Zealand Grain, Produce Merchants’ Federation, by arrangement with the New Zealand Government. These two shipments may be the forerunner of others this year. Th f South Island merchants expect an acute shortage of potatoes before the new season’s early varieties are on the market. A Cashel Street seed merchan! said to-day:—“On the present outlook, there will not be enough potatoes, south of Cook Strait, to supply the South Island requirements fot the rest of the year. It is well over 10 years since potatoes were imported to New Zealand. Then two very large shipments wore imported. ' Because they bulked so largely, a considerable quantity was ruined. This year this danger should be avoided, as the potatoes are being imported in smaller quantities.”