Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, ROY. 3, 1934. POTATO MARKETING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 289, 3 November 1934, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, ROY. 3, 1934. POTATO MARKETING.

The promoters of the conference held at the Spring- Show between potato growers of the Manawatu and Rangilikei districts, merchants handling the crops, and leading officials of the Department of Agriculture have set in train a movement for the production of better potatoes and their efficient marketing which should have beneficial results for all concerned. There was some frank speaking at the meeting, and the points outlined for the guidance of growers by the merchants’ representatives should not be without considerable benefit for them if the faults are corrected. Marketing to-day, it was made clear, is affected by laxity in grading whereby too many small potatoes are included in the produce for table consumption; others are of inferior quality showing defects of greenness, unripeness, second growth, and roughness, while’too much earth finds its wajr into the bags which are not of the standard insisted upon in the South Island. The difficulty merchants are faced with in handlingconsignments of this nature is palpable, but it can be overcome, as a speaker mentioned, by the institution of a central gradingstation from whence the potatoes could be despatched in proper condition and attractive to buyers. Both districts, it was further emphasised, enjoy an advantage of two months in marketing their crops over the South Island producers, but its value is destroyed by the defects complained of. While producers here have to contend with diseases unknown in the South Island, certified seed is available to them to counteract this drawback, and it is important to note, as Mr R. B. Tennent, Director of the Fields Division, said, that this district can grow as good potatoes as the South Island, provided care is g-iven to cultivation and only certified seed is used. It is clear, then, that from the standpoints of climate. soil, and disease free potatoes for planting, both the Manawatu and Rang-itikei districts are eminently suited to provide the adjacent cities and towns with first_ class produce, and to send consignments further afield. There must, however, be planned marketing, and provided it can be arranged without a costly organisation the_ establishment of a grading station should have much to commend it. We are, Mr Tennent also said, the most lax of any country in regulating- the marketing of table potatoes, and the decline in consumption mentioned by Mr Hadfield must be the natural consequence of haphazard methods which give consumers inferior quality tubers. A Dominion mark would certainly prove of value, by compelling growers to conform to standards laid down, but any scheme should be voluntary rather than compulsory by legislation, for the country has too many boards regulating primary industries. Indeed, there has been a fear that potato growers may be affected by the Bill now before Parliament, though Mr Coates says it has no foundation. In Britain the potato growers have entered into a national marketing scheme in accordance with the , enthusiasm there for planned production and marketin a-, but there is no evidence that one’ is required here. Nevertheless, in the interests of themselves, growers in the Manawatu and Rang-itikei should give earnest thought to the excellent advice tendered to them on Ihuisday, and assist the merchants who have made it clear that there is a good market for local P°‘ a " toes of prime quality presented attractively to buyers.