POTATOES FOR AUSTRALIA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 July 1924, Page 8

POTATOES FOR AUSTRALIA

CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO IMPORTATION. It was expected, says the Melbourne Argus, that exception would be tajjen by the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Nosworthy) to some of the conditions attached to the importation of New. Zealand potatoes into the Commonwealth. The Minister expresses,-the opinion that certain of the provisions are drastic, and is approaching the authorities in Melbourne with a view (o some modification being made. New Zealand potatoes may be imported into (Australia on the following conditions: (1) That the potatoes are accompanied by an official certificate dated and signed by a responsible officer of the Department of Agriculture. New Zealand, identifying the potatoes, specifying the quantity and certifying : (a) That at the date of the issue of the certificate they were free from disease known as Irish blight, potato canker, black scab, warty - disease, cauliflower disease, powdery scab, and all other serious diseases. (b) That they were grown on premises known after due investigation not to be or to have been during the preceding twelve months infected with any of the said diseases. (c) That they were packed in the country of origin in clean new bags.

(c) That the bags, crates, or other packages, containing the potatoes are marked on the outside with the word “potatoes” and the name and address of the grower. Mr. ■ Nosworthy fails to specify which particular provsion he considers harsh, but possibly it relates to section (b) of clause 1. While the conditions may appear to be drastic, the authorities in Melbourne fully realise the dangers '.attending the imports of produce from any country where serious diseases exist, and it is necessary properly to .safeguard the Commonwealth from infection. The potato industry hero is ■too. valuable to take risks. Still it is satisfactory that some reciprocal arrangement in regard to New Zealand potatoes has been made possible, for the Dominion is a very valuable market for growers in Victoria.