POTATO PROTECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3599, 3 April 1924, Page 5

POTATO PROTECTION.

CANTERBURY GROWERS ANL AN ‘ ‘ OPEN ’ ’ MARKET MR MASSEY CAUTIOUS [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 2. A deputation from the North Canterbury Potato Growers Association waited on Mr Massey to-day with a request that the Government should place an' embargo on importations of Australian potatoes on account of the potatoes being diseased. Replying, Mr Massey said he always helped the producers as much as he could because on the prosperity of the producers depended the prosperity of the rest of the community. Regarding potatoes, the difficulty was that New Zealand had a recipro.cal treaty with Australia which was working well and they had to be careful about interfering with it. The cost of potatoes in Victoria worked out at no less than £4 Ss a ton to w. had to be added £2 Is. which it cost to bring them to Auckland and £1 duty—a total of £7 6s. Did the deputation think Australia could land potatoes in New Zealand and compete with tttcm at that price. Voices: They are doing it! Mr Witty, M.P.: What happens is that they bring some in and it demoralises the market. Several members of the deputation mentioned that they wanted an open market. ’• You want an open market?” ask. cd Mr Massey. A voice: Yes with the duty remain, ing on. Mr Massey: But that would not be an. open market. Mr Massey said he had arranged with Dr Rcakcs, who was going to Australia, to enquire into the matter of disease among the Australian potatoes. Dr Realms would ascertain if there was anything that would justify the Government in keeping Australian potatoes out of New Zealand. Within a month Dr Reakes would be in a position to say what diseases the potatoes wore affected with. He was quite willing to have Che matter considered by Parliament, and if he could do anything for them without injustice to the rest of the community, ho was quite willing to do it-