SHORTAGE OF POTATOES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF POTATOES

NORTH ISLAND MARKETS WEATHER DELAYS DIGGING (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 22. “ The present shortage of potatoes on the local markets throughout most of the North Island is not likely to be materially relieved for another couple of weeks,” said the Minister of Marketing (Mr B. Roberts) to-day. Various factors had combined to cause a shortage of potatoes at the present time. The area in the South Island was larger than last year and promised to yield very well, but this area had been seriously damaged by floods during the latter half of February, and in some instances farmers had lost the whole of their crops. At this time, the Minister said, the North Island markets were not immediately affected, as they were still being supplied with potatoes grown in Rangitikei, Manawatu, and other potatogrowing areas of the North Island, but these supplies had now been exhausted and the North Island was dependent on potatoes grown in the South Island as was always the case at this season of the year. In addition, the marketing of potatoes from Canterbury had been hampered by continued bad weather during the past six weeks, and now the heavy rains in the Christchurch and Timaru districts would make it impossible for most of the farmers to dig their potatoes for another week or 10 days. “It is expected that, subject to an Improvement in the weather, sufficient supplies to meet all reasonable requirements will be available within the next three weeks,” the Minister concluded. -