EFFECT ON POTATO PRODUCTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 11 March 1943, Page 4

EFFECT ON POTATO PRODUCTION

THIS SEASON’S MARKETING DIFFICULTIES “POSITION WANTS CLARIFYING." The possible effect on next season’s production of potatoes of this season’s marketing difficulties, was the subject of a discussion by the Nelson Primary Production Council this morning. The meeting was attended by Messrs R. C. T. Raine (chairman). N. McConochie, C. R. Sutton, G. R. McKellar, K. S. Farmer, M. Ott, and T. H. Robinson* (secretary). The chairman reviewed negotiations made to dispose of 200 tons to the Government. None of these had gone away at the £l4 rate, bqt he had been told that some would be shipped this week. The secretary said that none had gone yet. The chairman said that members knew about the price position. The excuse given for Nelson being in the lower prices was that Nelson competed with the North Island with the early crop but with the South Island in the main crop. Yet the Agricultural Instructor had told him that the Nelson district did not grow enough potatoes in the main crop to supply local requirements. Mr McKellar pointed out that the Government had fixed a maximum price till November, but they did not say whether it was only for old potatoes or not. Mr Sutton: “That wants clearing up.” The chairman added that while Nelson was in the lowest price grade for growers, consumers were in the medium price grade. Mr McKellar considered that these were the maximum prices and that the retail price in Nelson would be fairly low. With the lack of labour farmers would not dig medium early crops on the hill at £8 a ton, went on the chairman. Those crops could be counted out, remarked Mr Sutton. The fly would have spoiled them. The secretary pointed out the danger of breeding these potato flies for next season if the crops were left in the ground. The chairman: “Potatoes are still in the ground and they should have been dug three months ago!” He added that the council was not really concerned with prices, except as it affected disposing of the produce. Mr McKellar: “Are you going to advocate growers planting potatoes next spring?” Mr McConochie: “If you don’t try to get the best possible prices you won’t get them to plant next spring.” The chairman: “If the Government asked us to grow potatoes they should have taken them no matter what happened, even if they tipped them over the wharf. I don’t see that they should ‘pass the buck’ back to the growers.” Mr Farmer suggested that they should make representations, explaining the bungle and asking what was going to happen about next season’s crop. A suggestion that the matter be raised in Parliament was made by Mr Ott. Mr McConochie: “Someone should clarify the position. The feeling has gone abroad that the Government has definitely made a breach of faith with the growers. I don’t feel we should ask growers to grow extra crops if they don’t know what is going to happen.” The chairman: “I think growers will clarify the position themselves by not growing them.” A resolution was passed to be sent to the National Council, complaining that potato growers had been let down in the jtast season and pointing out that the future for growers was not bright.