DEMAND FOR POTATOES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15947, 18 June 1915, Page 5

DEMAND FOR POTATOES.

AUSTRALIAN PURCHASES.

EXPORT MAY BE STOPPED.

[by telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Thursday. During the last week or two heavy orders for potatoes have beon reaching New Zealand from Australia, and tho drain upon the Dominion's supplies has begun to excite alarm in the local market, whero prices have risen sharply. There is apparently a shortage of potatoes in the Commonwealth. The price in Melbourne at the beginning of May was £4 to £4 10s a ton, but the message published early in the presont "week gave the ruling price in the Victorian capital as £6 10s to £7, and apparently there has been a further rise within the last day or two. The Australian tariff places a duty of £1 a ton on potatoes, and the freight charges are fairly heavy, but it is evident that the Commonwealth is 'lending to deplete the New Zealand market and impose a new burden upon local consumers. The matter was brought under the notice of the Prime Minister to-day, and Mr. Massey stated that he had taken steps to secure all the available information regarding the condition of the potato market. The Government had been given ample power to prevent the depletion of food stocks at the present juncture, and he realised that while New Zealand would be glad to serve Australia up to a certain point, the rights of the local public had to be protected. The people of the Dominion must not bo asked to pav famine prices for potatoes. "I cannot allow this country to be left short of potatoes," said tho Prime Minister. "If the heavy purchases of the last few days on Australian orders are continued, I may have to prohibit the export of potatoes. I havo asked the Agricultural Department for 1 particulars' ns to the quantities to be avail able in this country, but I am afraid that back statistics bearing upon the point j ore not obtainable, The records show merely the area planted. However, the matter is going to have attention at once." '