POTATO SHORTAGE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 3

POTATO SHORTAGE

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. EMBARGO MAY BE LIFTED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. As is generally known the Commonwealth authorities are maintaining an embargo against the importation of New Zealand potatoes into Australia. While potatoes in Sydney were 'ranging from £8 to £lO per ton, there was no objection taken by the Sydney potato trade or the consumers to the ousting of Now Zealand potatoes, but on account of the floods in Tasmania and the light New South Wales crop the current prices are practically doublo the figures mentioned. Opinion moreover is that the prospects of any substantial reduction in the price are small. This has caused the trade in Sydney to discuss the possibility of having the embargo removed.

At all events communications in this direction have been received during the past week by Christchurch merchants. It is suggested that the famine price of potatoes in Sydney provides an opportune moment to bring the matter up, as the objection of low prices in Victoria through New Zealand competition cannot now be advanced.

The Canterbury growers are taking the matter up with the object of bringing pressure to bear on the Government to open negotiations with the Commonwealth authorities.