Potatoless Xmas Dinner Tomorrow

Northern Advocate, 24 December 1941, Page 5

Potatoless Xmas Dinner Tomorrow

[Special to "Nortnern Advocate”! AUCKLAND, This Day. Many people in Auckland will possibly have to do without potatoes with their Christmas dinners tomorrow. Before 9.30 thfs morning the city markets were bare of supplies and most of the retailers in the city and suburbs were unable to satisfy customers by noon.

Chief reason for the potato famine at the wholesale marts was the fact that all available supplies were commandeered by the army authorities at the new fixed price.

It is understood the army purchase was made at the new reduced rate, but retailers who got in early this morning had to pay the old price. Even Greater Scarcity Commenting on the position, a merchant remarked that supplies of potatoes were unlikely to be increased after the holidays, and the demand would, with lower prices, be greater than ever.

Potatoes, which have been selling at record rates of 35/- per cwt. at Pukekohe, have been practically unobtainable from that centre in the last day or two. Under the new Pi-ice Tribunal order the maximum price to be charged by growers must not exceed £2O a ton f.o.b. South Island. Under this interpretation the maximum price wholesale in Auckland will be 11/- per 601 b sugar bag. This is the equivalent of under 2.}d per lb, compared with recent rates of from 5d to 6d per lb. Shortage in Whangarei

Unless Whangarei householders ration their present supply of potatoes, there is a danger that they will have to do without them in the near futui-e. Early this morning several stores had sold out and others expect to run out before the day ends. Only a few stores have supplies fo any size. Shop owners state that further supplies are unprocurable.