POTATO PRICES ORDER.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 62, 10 August 1944, Page 2

POTATO PRICES ORDER.

FOR COMING SEASON’S CROP. WELLINGTON, August 7. Prices which will operate for the conning season’s potato crop were announced this morning by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts). “The acreage required for the 194445 season was announced recently,” said the Minister, “and it is now possible to state that the schedule of prices which will operate for the produce will be on the same basis as for the 1943-44 crop. Early potatoes sold in the North Island and Nelson district up to the end of February will be subject of maximum prices only. Fixed prices will operate for potatoes of f.a.q. grade sold subsequent to these dates. “The schedule of early potato prices is as follows:—North Island and Nelson: Up to September 30, 1944, maximum} price, f.0.r., £42 10/ a ton; October 1 to J 5, £35; October 16 to 31, £3O; November 1 to 15, £25; November 16 to 30, £2O; February 1 to 28, £lB. “South Island (excluding Nelson): Up to November 30, 1944, £42 10/; December 1 to 31, £35; January 1 to 31, 1945, £25; February 1 to 28, £lB. “In respect of potatoes to be marketed subsequent to these periods, for which fixed prices will operate, arrangements have again been made with the New Zealand Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants’ Federation whereby its members will arrange contracts with growers for production and delivery of these potatoes as required to meet the markets available,” said the Minister. “Fixed prices for the months of December, January, and February for North Island or Nelson-grown potatoes will be respectively £l4, £l2, and £ll a ton f.0.b., From March onwards the prices will be based on a rate of £7 15/ a ton f.0.b., for South Island (including Nelson) grown potatoes, with increments which will bring the price to be paid in November, 1945, to £ll a ton.

“South Island (including Nelson) grown potatoes of Sutton’s Supreme and King Edward varieties will receive a premium of 10/ a ton above these prices, while for the North Islandgrown potatoes the f.o.r. prices will be £2 5/ a ton more than the basic South Island price delivered f.o.b. ‘ ‘ In the case of under grade potatoes delivered during a period when fixed prices for f.a.q. potatoes are in operation, a maximum price of £1 a ton below the fixed price is to be paid.”