Surplus Potato Crops

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 175, 27 July 1938, Page 4

Surplus Potato Crops

DISPOSAL BEING ARRANGED OVEKS3AS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. When approached regarding the potato position the Minister of Marketing (Don. W. Nash) stated that for some weeks past the Internal Marketing Division had been doiDg a great deal of investigational work and had been constantly in touch with a number of overseas countries, with a view of arranging if possible for the export of potatoes to relieve the growers of the Dominion of their surplus crops. “Our efforts in this direction have been successful and I am very happy to state that as a result oT our negotiations we have been instrumental not only in finding a market for our potatoes in those countries with whom we have traded previously, but also in opening up new avenues of disposal in export markets hitherto not supplied by this Dominion,” added Mr. Nash. “During the course of the next lew weeks several shipments of potatoes are due to leave New Zealand for overseas destinations, and theso are being handled by exporting houses or on behalf of the Government through tho Internal Marketing Division. On this occasion the Government is arranging for the purchase of potatoes from growers at reasonable market values. “The Government in considering the

question of export has no intention of sending overseas potatoes which are required for local purposes, as it fully realises the necessity of conserving sufficient stocks of potatoes for the local market to ensure adequate supplies at reasonable prices at all times. It is hoped and anticipated, however, that the withdrawal from the local market of surplus potatoes for export purposes will mean that growers will be in a position to dispose of their crops at economic prices.