POTATOES FOR AUCKLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24945, 18 June 1942, Page 2

POTATOES FOR AUCKLAND

SUPPLIES NOT WITHHELD (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 17 . The allegations from Auckland that farmers in the South Island were withholding potatoes to take advantage of the July increment under, the Price Order were denied to-day by the Director of Primary Production (Mr R. B. Tennent). At the first meeting to-day of the Potato Advisory Committee set up by- the Minister of Agriculture, said Mr Tennent, the Auckland statements were fully discussed. In the opinion of the committee, the allegations had no foundation in fact and were obviously inspired by one or two individuals in the Auckland trade

" There is no holding back of potatoes by South Island growers," said Mr Tennent. " There is a certain amount of difficulty in securing adequate shipping space, but at the present time considerable consignments are on their way to Auckland. The committee has pointed out that to date 120,000 sacks in excess of the quantity for the same period last year had been sent to the North Island owing to- the virtual failure of the North Island main crops. After having thoroughly investigated the position, I feel certain the statements emanating from Auckland are quite unwarranted."