POTATO SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 10

POTATO SHORTAGE

SUPPLIES FROM NORTH AMERICA LICENCES TO IMPORT NORTHERN GROWERS PERTURBED (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Aug. 13. At the instance of the Government, which invited merchants to import potatoes in view of what was then stated to be an anticipated shortage, importers in Auckland have secured licences to land supplies from the Pacific Coast of North America. It is considered certain that some hundreds of tons of potatoes will be shipped from California to the Dominion, provided that credits for payment can be obtained from the Reserve Bank. American suppliers require payment on shipment, and as the Reserve Bank has held up the issue of permits generally, difficulties over finance have so far delayed shipments. High Prices Ruling The Government is obviously concerned at the hiPh prices ruling for Dominion-grown potatoes, the rates ranging from £2O to £2l a ton. What effect importation would have in reducing rates naturally would depend on the extent of overseas competition. If finance is forthcoming, it will be several weeks before the Canadian and United States potatoes can appear, and importers are hardly likelv to secure large supplies at this stage of the season. Pukekohe growers are showing anxiety over the situation. Minister's Assurance A large acreage was planted, and supplies of new season's potatoes are likely to start coming on the market from the middle of September. They fear that such supplies would clash with importations. An assurance has been given to them by the Acting-Minister of Marketing (Mr W. Lee Martin) that only sufficient quantities to tide the Dominion over the shortage will be permitted. This assurance has not altogether relieved their anxieties, however, as it is pointed out that there are still fairly large quantities of potatoes held at Ohakune, while South Island shipments are still coming forward.