A HINT TO EXPORTERS.

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1913, Page 3

A HINT TO EXPORTERS.

PACKING ONIONS FOR AUSTRALIA

OUTLOOK FOR POTATBS.

It is stated that last season instances were noted of careless packing, both in regard to onions and potatoes exported from New Zealand. If the exporter at this end id to get the best value for the produce he must see that it is properly graded and packed, also that the regulations laid down by the Commonwealth are complied with. The Director of the Orchards and Gardens Division of the Department of Agriculture (Mr T. W. Kirk) has just received an interesting letter in the above connection from a leading Sydney firm of auctioneers and commission agents. In the course of the letter are the following remarks, which are of special interest to New Zealand shippers:—"We take the liberty of dropping you a line in reference to the export of onions from your Dominion. These should be packed in new gunny bags or in small hess'.an soutels, and not in sacks that are used for potatoes. Unless the packing is strictly attended to the onions get no chance of carrying to this port (Sydney) in sound order. We would therefore 1)8 thankful if you can make it a condition with the'exporters that they adopt either of the packages mentioned. The same practice obtains in Victoria, and is adopted in New South Wales in November and December, when we are exporting onions to New Zealand. We feel sure that in the interests of the trade generally you will treat our suggestion as of interest to the. Dominion as well as in the interests of ourselves."

Dealing with the position in regard t.j potatoes in New South Wales, the letter says: "We may say for your information that the potato crops, although not very heavy, are above the average this season, and it seems quite unlikely that we shall require much assistance from New Zealand during the first half of the year at any rate. Just now th;;y are sending us from 15,000 to IS.OOO sacks weekly from Tasmania, and from ?>OOO to 5000 bags from Victoria, whilst our own main local crops will be available in another two or three weeks."