EXPORT OF POTATOES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18415, 22 May 1920, Page 7

EXPORT OF POTATOES.

DEPUTATION TO MR 'MR MASSEY. A deputation .from tho Potato Growora’ Association, accompaniod by Mr G. Witty, M.P., and Dr Thacker, M.P., waited on the Prime Minister yesterday morning with a request that steps should bo taken to have the Australian embargo lifted on tho importation of Now Zealand potatoes. Dr Thacker said that many returned soldiers had gone into the potato business, and at the present market price it was unpayable. Other speakers stated that the crop was good and practically free from disease.

Mi* W. J. Walter said that the market price of £3 10s to £4 did not leave a profit. There was no blight in North Canterbury this year. Mr Witty said that the crop this year.was the best for many years, and freer from disease. Mr Massey: Do you think there is a surplus? Mr Witty: lam sure of it. He added that soldiers had paid £lO for seed potatoes, and were losing on it. All they wanted was a fair price. Dr Thacker asked whether if the embargo could be not lifted in Australia, communication could he established with the West Coast of the United States to disposo of them there. Mr Massey said that it was impossible to avoid a loss at) £3 Ids. There had been several communications, unsuccessfully so far, with Australia, although it had been urged that tho New Zealand crop was very free from disease, and a thorough inspection was suggested. The present quarantine conditions made importation to Australia at present impossible. He would try again, for it was as important to Australia as New Zealand, -and if nothing could be done he was'prepared to try Honolulu, San Francisco and even Vancouver. Ho believed there was a market there. Ho would instruct the Department to ascertain if they could bo placed there at a reasonable rate of freight.