POTATOES HELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 2

POTATOES HELD

SUPPLIES FBOM SOUTH

HIGHER PRICE AWAITED SERIOUS REACTIONS FEARED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday The supply of potatoes to Auckland is likely to be seriously retarded during the next fortnight or three weeks by the operation of the monthly increments made under the Government's price fixation scheme. Complaints have been received from Auckland that South IslamJ growers are holding potatoes until July in order to secure the 10,s a ton increment operative for that month.

Christchurch merchants state that the complaint is well founded. The reactions are likely to be serious as far as regular supplies to Auckland City and to the Army are concerned. Auckland was on bare boards last week, but the position was temporarily eased by a southern shipment. This will not last long and tho failure of growers to ship their ordinary June quantities will aggravate the position seriously. The probabilities are that when the rush of later potatoes comes forward in July and August there may not be shipping available. One merchant said that most operators had made heavy contracts before price fixation came in. Many growers with whom June contracts have been made have declined, as is within their rights, to deliver the June potatoes, but to wait for another fortnight and secure the additional 10s a ton.

It is understood that many of these potatoes are in sacks and could be .speedily delivered. The only escape from the position that has developed, it is suggested, is for the Government to exclude June-contracted potatoes from the benefits of the July increment.