NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20709, 6 May 1929, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.

THE AUSTRALIAN EMBARGO. PROTEST BY CANTERBURY GROWERS. (Special to- Datlt Tines.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 4. _ A meeting of potato growers to consider the question of asking the Government to make representations to the Australian Government to remove the embargo against the importation of New Zealand potatoes was held this morning. Mr W. J. Walter occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance of growers. There were also present Messrs H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., D. Joneij, M.P., R. W. Hawke, M.P., D. Colquhoun (of the Department of Industries and Commerce), and R. M'Gillivray (superintendent of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture at Christchurch). The chairman said the price of potatoes in Australia was £l7 a ton, according to latest advices. The price here' was about £4 5s to £4 7s 6d a ton. There was almost certain to be an over supply of potatoes this year. He had been surprised, he said, to see the potato crops in Auckland. In Tasmania, the potato crops had been seriously affected by the floods. There was little disease in the New Zealand potatoes this year, and he saw no reason why they should not get them to Austfalia. He was confident that Mr G. W. Forbes, as Minister of Lands, would assist them. Mr W. J. M'Evedy said that it was of no use talking of putting men on small farms if they did not find a, market for them. It was the duty of the Government to find markets. In 1924 New Zealand paid £3,000,000 to Australia. That money was practically thrown away without anything being done to get a return. If Australia would not let our potatoes in, then we should tirade with South Africa or California if they would trade fairly with ua. Six months ago he understood the balance of trade with Australia was £OOO,OOO against us. Mr David Jones said that the last Government had ’tried hard to get our potatoes into Australia. It was not then so much a case of disease as a case of the Australian Government being determined not to let the New Zealand potatoes in. The attitude that Australia took up was that they looked after themselves and expected New--Zea-land to do the same. There was not nearly the same amount of disease in New Zealand potatoes as in Australian potatoes. Most of the disease that was here came, he thought, from Australia. It was a question whether the consumers in Australia could* make sufficient row to cause the politicians to give way. He would be only'too pleased to assist the potato growers. Mr Kyle said that a great difficulty was that New Zealand had been fighting for an embargo against Australian potawhen the prices were low in Australia. The Canterbury members of Parliament would do all they could to help the potato growers. His constituency, he mentioned, grew about twothirds of the potatoes grown in New Zealand. If they could not get their surplus produce out of New Zealand then it was useless putting, men on small holdings. Mr Hawke said there was little hope ■of breaking down the barrier in Australia, but there should be some understanding between the two countries by which there should be The opportunity of exchange when prices ir. one country were very high and those in the other were at a level that was barely payable to growers. There was no reason why the Australians should be paying extortionate prices. He advocated inquiries being made further afield in quest of an outlet for the potatoes. Sooner or later they would have to do that to find markets for the small farmers. That question might well he gone into by a small committee. The potatoes this year were of as good a quality as at any period in our history of potato growing. Whatever was decided on would have the support of tho Canterbury members of Parliament. Mr M'Evedy said that something should be done to let the Australian public know what it was costing them to keep New Zealand potatoes out. Mr M'Gillivray said the position was a most difficult one. He did not think that powdery scab was a factor in the matter. They had it everywhere. Such potatoes had been found to produce a clean crop. The city populations in Australia were anxious to have New Zealand potatoes, hut the potato growers * were adamant in their opposition. .1,. Colqusloun Eaid tllat the report of the New Zealand Trade Commission in Melbourne on this matter was not encouraging. The chairman said that the main opposition in Australia came from Victoria. He thought that the Federal Government should be approached and asked to lift the embargo for this season. It was getting late, and they must act at once. He moved—" That this meeting of potato growers urges the to take immediate steps to negotiate with the Commonwealth Government to permit the sending of New Zealand potatoes to Australia during June, July, and August.” ° The motion was carried unanimously, and a committee was appointed to take turther steps.