IMMEDIATE RISE IN POTATOES FORESHADOWED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 17

IMMEDIATE RISE IN POTATOES FORESHADOWED.

Mr A. Moritzson, of the firm of Messrs A. Moritzson and Co., waa interviewed by «, Times reporter on the 18th in regard to , the tariff alterations as they affect potatoes , and fruit. " Some 12 or 18 months ago," Mr Moritzson~-eaid, "the Dunedin Chamber of -Commerce sent out circulars to the various merchants asking for sugs gestions in regard to various ,produots xn connection with a likely alteration of tariff. This 6tep was no doubt influenced. by the Government, end it was suggested, seeing that at that time, as well as in the previous year, potatoes were ruling from £10 to £15" per ton, that it would be advisable to bring the duty on potatoes into line with that on onione, on which a duty of £1 per ton was paid, the duty on potatoes berttg-sa 2d per cent. one. No doubt on this suggestion the Government carriedinto effect the new tariff in. regard to potatoes. But this would no doubt have been a relief to the consumer • provided potatoes continued to rule high in - - price. But owing to the large crops in Australia, and the good supplies in New "'" Zealand, potatoes -have fallen in price conr siderably. and haVe been obtainable of late at from £3 up.to £4 per ton. in New Zealand, while pptafcoo? in No>tft- Western Tasmania have been quoted at £1 17s 6d, f.0.b,, - sacks- in, and could be landed in New Zealand at 'about £3 15s per ton and sold, plus commission, at £4 per ton. Victorian potatoes were almost on a similar basis. The effect of the new duty of £1 per ton, it will be seen at a glance, puts this article up to the extent, of about 12s per ton, %nA no doubt *he New Zealand grower or holder will take advantage of this, and a corresponding rise in values may be expected within & few days or a week, thus making a necessary article of diet dear-er than it should be to the consumer. It is a well-known fact that local prices will be entirely guided by the Australian landing values. . The duty now exacted is over 50 per cent, on the original cost — namely, 37s 6d per ton, — and seemg 1 that the freight from Tasmania is £1 2s 6d, the loss by weight in transit ss, harbour dues and ' cartages 2s 6d, and commission ss, I think the - New Zealand grower would be sufficiently protected without imposing this exorbitant - duty. If the farmers of New Zealand have a fair average crop without blight, £4 per ton would pay them h»ndeomel.v." Mr Moritzson added that he thought it would be a just solution of the matter if the duty on potatoes were left as heretofore — namely, 20 per cent, up to the invoice price of £5; when that figure has been reached the duty to remain at £1 per ton. This would protect the glower when prices were low, and would protect the consumer when prices were high. Asked for an expression of opinion in regard to the tariff alterations as affecting fruit, Mr Moritzson said he was still suie that the introduction of Australian grapes would in no way interfere with the article grown under glass in New Zealand. The latter, being of superior quality and earlier in the market than the Australian-grown grape could be landed, would always be purchased by the wealthier class. These grapes had never been within reach of the general public or working man, and there would not be sufficient to go round even if they were more plentiful and cheaper. Grapes grown in the open in 'the North Island had always been 6old at anything from 4d ud to 6d or 7d per lb. while with the Id per lb duty the Australian grapes could not be sold at less than 6d or 7d. " The next item that calls for comment," said Mr Moritzson. "is in reerard to apples. This delicious fruit should be within easy reach of everybody. I think no harm would have been done if the duty had been made id per lb all the year round. The New * Zealand grower is protected with a halfpenny duty, which, with freight, landing charges, and commiseion added, is to the extent of 3s 6d per case. The Tasmanian grower is quite satisfied if he can realise 3s 6d per case clear at the sales, which take place every day at Hobart. Seeing, then, J?hat the New Zealand grower can nearly always get for good fruit 2d per lb, the growing of apples should pay him handsomely. No doubt we will hear in reply to this of a certain number of growers who send apples to the market and can never get over id to Id per lb. Of course it goes without saving that suoh applies can only be windfalls or fit for jelly. Any good dessert and cooker is always worth l^d to 2d per lb when a glut is on.". Yesterday Mr Moritzson assured our reporter, he sold Canterburyffrown apples of superior quality at from 6s to 9s per case, varying in weight from 261b up to 381b, while he also ©old Tasmanian apples yesterday at 6s for 441b. the latter a good, wholesome sample. The publio expected a reasonable reduction in the duty on apples, as it has been held for a long time, and from all sides, that fruit 3b thS country is too dear, but the reduc-

tion that has been reasonably looked for has not been forthcoming.