EXPORT OF POTATOES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22497, 14 August 1936, Page 12

EXPORT OF POTATOES

GOVERNMENT CONTROL PACKAGES MUST BE APPROVED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday By an Order-in-Council published in this week's Gazette the export, of potatoes from the Dominion is prohibited save with the prior consent of the Minister of Customs. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, explained that this action had been taken to ensure that all consignments of potatoes from the Dominion shall bo made in a manner which will not be prejudicial to the establishment and development of a permanent export trade. To this end no permits will be issued to export, potatoes overseas except in clean new sacks or other approved packages. New sacks will not, however, be insisted upon in the case of potatoes, exported as ships' stores.

Applications lor permits* to export potatoes other than as ships' storos arc to be made in the first instance to the Department of Agriculture at the port of intended shipment. After satisfying themselves that the department's requirements as to packages have been complied with and that the potatoes are free from disease, departmental inspectors will notify the collector of customs at the port of shipment, and that officer will then 011 behalf of the Minister of Customs issue a permit for the export of the shipment. Arrangements are being made by the Customs Department for the issue to shipping companies of general permits for the export of potatoes as ships' stores.