POTATO EMBARGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23325, 19 April 1939, Page 12

POTATO EMBARGO

POSSIBLE REMOVAL FURTHER EXPORTS LIKELY NEGOTIATIONS IN AUSTRALIA [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday On his visit to Australia, from which ho returned yesterday, Mr. R. B. Tennent, director of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, investigated the possibility of the Australian embargo on New Zealand potatoes being lifted for a further period. Mr. Tennent said to-day that although there was nothing definite to announce yet he was hopeful of arrangements being made for further supplies of New Zealand potatoes being allowed into the Commonwealth.

The present period during which potatoes from New Zealand are allowed to enter the Commonwealth is to expire on Thursday. Before he left Sydney Mr. Tennent pointed out that according to recent advice the main South Island crop would not be ready for digging until early in May, and said it was not expected there would be a very large surplus. The amount available for export would be approximately 2000 or 3000 tons. If the Australian market was made available to New Zealand every step would be taken to ensure that nothing but the best potatoes entered the Commonwealth. Mr. Tennent referred also to the fact that in 1937 New Zealand exported 22,000 tons of potatoes to South America, and he said not one bag had been rejected, in spits of the strict regulations there.