POTATOES FOR SYDNEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15553, 7 September 1912, Page 8

POTATOES FOR SYDNEY.

IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS. A meeting of potato exporters was held yesterday afternoon in Messrs Moritzson and C'o.'s offices to consider :i communication received by tho Duncdin grader from Mr T. W. Kirk, Government biologist, to tho effect that instructions had been received from tho authorities in Sydney to stop the shipment from the Dominion of seed or small potatoes.

It was stated at tho meeting that this action on tho part of the New Soull; Wales Government was of serious consequence to tho New Zealand shippers, as contracts had been made forward for these kind of jiotatoes, ami that several hundred tons had been placed for September and October delivery. The potatoes had all been secured, and most of Litem put into new sacks, according to the prescribed regulations; tho potatoes were elc.-ii. and free from blight or canker, and would have been accompanied by tho necessary certificate, and therefore it was considered they should have been allowed to enter New South 'Wales. Tho opinion was expressed that it was particularly unfair to merchants to now debar the admittance of these potatoes, as tho demand from Sydney had raised the price in the South Island from about £4 to £4 10s, ox store and at country sidings, to from £6 to £6 10s and £7, at country sidings, and purchasers had been mado at these prices 'by Otago merchants to cover, but the local buyers wero now to l>e prevented from getting their potatoes delivered.

It was decided to send tho following telegram to !Mr Kirk:—"Combined potato extorters had meeting to-day. Learn from your inspector Sydney regulations blocking seed or smal potatoes, and various firms have contracts in hand. Kindly make representations Sydney authorities to allow shippers complete present contracts to end September." Tho members of the firms represented were unanimous in tl.e opinion that tho New South Wales Government should have given at least 14 days' notice to the New Zealand authorities of their intention to take up the attitude they have done.