EXPORT OF POTATOES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 21

EXPORT OF POTATOES.

AUSTRALIAN RESTRICTIONS. AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. During the past two or threo weeks a fair quantity of potatoes .has been shipped to Sydney, the quality of the tubers being certified by tho local acting Government grain grader. Some of these .potatoes have reached Sydney, and been duly admitted on this officer's certificate, but another lot of some 200 or 300 sacks has been held up, and, strange bo relate, it is alleged that Mr T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, has now wired the Federal Government not to admit New Zealand potatoes on this officer's certificate in future. The following cablegrams and telegrams have been shown us by Mr H. Moss, of Messrs Shiel and Co.. and these fully explain the position: — The first intimation Mr Moss received xs to his consignment of potatoes being held up was received from his company's agents in Sydney. Tho cablegram read:—"Kirk advised Federal Government not to accept New Zealand graders' certificate potatoes. Admifviblo with proper certificate ugned by inspector appointed under Orchards and Gardens Diseases Act." Mr Moss then wired to Mr Kirk afi follows :—" Sydney advice states that potatoes shipped last week, passed by Dunedin grain grader refused admission on your instructions. Dunedin grader most qualified man, with 20 yoars experience. (Jan you arrange admittance? Our regulations now clear to ship if passed bv fruit inspector." Mr Kirk replied : " Have written you fully in respect to this matter" Mr Moss again wired to Mr Kirk: " Understand telegram received by Fra?er (another Dunedin merchant) that graders certificate would be agreed to. Please endeavour to release shipment held Sydney." The -wire received was as follows: "Do not understand your wire. My telegram to Fraser could not bear such construction. Grain grader has no standing. In re Commonwealth regulations regret can do noMr Moss on the 2nd sent the following communication to Mr Kirk: "Your wire to hand this afternoon which reads. ' Do not understand your wire, my wire Fraser could not hear such contention. Grain grader has no standing to Commonwealth regulations. Regret, cannot do anything.' for -which we are sorry, and for your own information —for apparently you do not know—we may 3tate that potatoes were admitted to Australia a -week previous on tho same co;-rificates which flTo now being refused, and in a cabb received no secret is being made of the fact that you have cabled over preventing the lino of potatoes to be admitted,

but whether there is any truth in the report, or not we do not know. If such an action has been taken, it certainly seems very strange to us. The Dunedin grain, grader is a man who has had some 20 years experience in the grain business, and if anyone should be qualified to give an opinion on tho potatoes this man should. Another point surely that you will not overlook is that the grain grader is an officer under the Department of Agriculture, and we think it is very hard that his certificate should not bo taken We ask you to reconsider this matter, and see, under the circumstances, is something cannot bo done. In the meantime our potatoes are hung up in Sydney, and though the quality speaks ior itself/ your cable has stopped any chance of their being admitted.” Mb' Moss is now awaiting Mr Kirk’s written explanation. The position now is, so far as future shipments are concerned, that all potatoes which may now be exported to Australia will have to be passed by an inspector appointed under /the Orchards and Gardens Disease Act, and in addition tho grower will have to make a statutory declaration that to the best of h ; s knowledge his farm is free from Irish blight or potato ’ canker, and has been free for the previous 12 months. Tile shipper is, also expected to fill in a similar declaration. Tho Commonwealth duty on jiotatocs grown in the Dominion is £l a ton. It will be seen from the following paragraph from the Australasian that the States in the tkwnmonwealth aro likewise imposing restrictions against each other. Presumably the New Zealand product will also have to pay for the inspection charges. The paragraph roads : _ “Dr Cameron, the director of Agriculture, on April 19 received a telegram from the West Australian Government stating that now regulations regarding the importation of potatoes had been that day gazetted, and indicating tho area in which Victorian potatoes might be received. It was also intimated that potatoes from Victoria would be admitted provided that they were accompanied by a certificate from a Government inspector to the effect that they had been grown on a farm which was fft-e from Irish blight for the lasl. 12 montlis. Inspection charges would be. tho telegram also stated, Is a bag, which is equivalent to 15s a ton. Dr Cameron replied to tho communication that it was impracticable to certify that tho farm had been free from blight for 12 months. It would only be possible for them to certify to tho best of their knowledge and belief. It would be more reasonable and more practicable to certify that blight had been absent ibroughout the growing period of tho present crop. Dr Cameron pointed out also that the inspection charge which the new regulations impose is enormously high in comparison with the charge made by Victoria, which is only 6d per Con. ADMISSION TO AUSTRALIA. OAMARU, May 3. This morning a deputation waited on the Prime Minister with reference to tho admission of New Zealand potatoes to Australia. In the course of a sympathetic reply, the Minister said he would communicate with the Commonwealth Government, and in addition arrange to have tho Government graders at various ports registered for the purposes of the act. The necessary Order-m-Council would be gazetted in a few days. TIMARU, May 3. The Hon. T. Buxton has received word from th e Prime Minister that, in response to his suggestions, the Timaru, Waimate. and Oamaru Government grain graders will be appointed inspectors under the Orchard and Garden Pests Act, to enable them to give certificates acceptable in Australia on shipments of potatoes. CANTERBURY MARKETS CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORT. (Lyttelton Times, May 4.) Just at present the wheat market is rather unsettled, but prices are firm, and farmers being firm holders, comparatively little business is being done considering that the season is now well advanced, and that already a number of threshing machines have completed their work. At the beginning of the week the market showed considerable firmness at Home, where prices had an upward tendency owing to the partial blockade of the Dardanelles dislocating trade, but the removal of the embargo has had an easing effect. At present the ruling rate for parcels of New Zealand wheat is 38s 6d c.i.f., which, being below tho prices recently current, has produced an easier feeling in the local market. Prices. , remain nominally unaltered, the ruling priues being 3s 7d to 3s 7£d, on trucks, at country stations. Practically this range covers all transactions, but in a few instances prices as high as 3s Bd, on trucks, have been paid for lines of pearl at close stations. It must bo noted, however, tliat the bulk of the wheat which is now coming forward is from fairly distant stations, and consequently this latter price cannot be taken as indicative of the prices which aro generally paid. With few exceptions the quality of the wheat which is being placed on the market is satisfactory, but recently a few samples have been placed on offer in which there was a fairly heavy percentage of taros, and for this class buyers refuse' to pay prices above those ruling for fowl wheat. For oats inquiries from the Commonwealth tend to keep values firm, but at the present juncture the volume of actual business is very restricted, and with increased deliveries buyers are not as keen as they were some time ago to secure supplies. At present the demand from the North Island is comparatively slack, and tho consignments which have gone in that direction have been comparatively small. Prices range from Is lid to 2s 2d. samples of excellent duns commanding up to 2s 3d. Very few oats have changed hands recently below 2s per bushel, on trucks, the market at present being very firm with holders indifferent about selling. The potato market remains firm, still having an upward tendency. Tho current price is £4 10s per ton on trucks, but in a few instances prices 5s per ton in advance of this quotation have been paid for lines for immediate delivery. Tho digging is now in full swing in nearly all parts o f the province, and, speaking generally, the reports aro fairly unanimous that tho returns are unsatisfactory. With regard to tlio opening of the Commonwealth for tlie Dominion’s surplus, there is a strong feeling in commercial circles that the representations which are being made to tho Australian authorities are not likely

to result in bringing about the relaxation of the restrictions at _ present in force regarding the importation of tubers from countries or distriots where blight is known to exist, and little hope is held out that the Commonwealth ports will be opened. The Commonwealth Minister is given a lot of discretionary power in the matter of permitting importations to be made, but in the face i of the' strong protectionist policy in force, and the fact that no district in the Dominion can be certified as clean as regards blight, it would be a mistake to look for any large in that direction. Besides, it must be borne in mind that the inroads of disease have been so virulent that the Dominion's stock will not, it is generally anticipated, be more than sufficient for the requirements of the people of New Zealand. The chaff market is_ quiet, and only a limited amount of business is being done en a basis of 55s to 60s per ton. A fair number of onions have been placed on offer during the last few weeks, and prices up to £7 10s have been obtained for good lines, on trucks, at country stations. 'VVith the approach of the winter season and tlie resultant curtailment of supplies, the price of fresh eggs is moving upward, and at present the current price paid by storekeepers to farmers is Is 9d per dozen. Peas are quiet, the ruling price being 3s to 3s Id on trucks. The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra: delivery at country stations:—Wheat.—3s 6d to 3s 7£d, Pear] to 3s Bd. Oats.—Algerians 2s 4d to 2s 6d, Gartons 2s to 2s Id; Canadians, 2s; Duns 2s 2d to 2s 3d; Danish, Is lid to 2s. Barley.—Malting 4s 6d to 4s 9d per bushel according to quality. Chaff.—Oatsheaf £2 15s to £3. [Potatoes.—£4 10s to £4 15s. Peas.; —Partridge 3s to 3s Id. Onions.—£7 10s per ton. Oatmeal.—£l4 per ton. Flour.—The New Zealand Flourmillers' Co-operative Association (Limited) quotes the following prices per ton, local or shipping. —Sacks £8 10s. 1001 b bags £8 15s. 501 b bags. £9, 251 b bags £9 ss. Bran £4 15s. pollard £6. Seeds.—Ryegrass, Italian and perennial 2? 2d to 2h 6d; cocksfoot to sd. Dairy Produce.—Cheese, dairy, large s£d, loaf 6d; factory, large s|d to 6d. Butter, fresh local" factory prints Is 2d, second grade pats Is Id. farm dairy lOd. Hams 9£d, sides 9d, rolls 9gd, rolled hams Gjd. Lard, pats Sid. Eggs to Is 9d per dozen. RANGIORA. The wet weather during the week has materially affected business in all kinds of grain. . Wheat remains about the same valueTuscan 3s 7d. Hunters and Bordcar 3* 6£d, pearl 3s 7id to 3s Bd. Oats aro slightly firmer—A grade 2s Id, B grade 2s, duns about the same as Gartons, Danish Is lOd to Is lid, Algerians 2s 4d to 2s 6d, sparrdwbill Is Hd to 2s. Linseed is weaker; orders from Australia have fallen ofil considerably, as supplies can- be obtained much oheaper from Calcutta. Nominal value £l3 to £l3 12s 6d. Chaff.—The local material is not sufficiently reliable for North Island trade.' Blenheim is doing the bulk of the business, and even if orders could be secured, it would, be impossible to secure space in steamers -while, grain is offering so freely. Potatoes.—-Only, a ' hand-to-mouth trade is being done. Oamaru and other southern centres are selling \freely at £5 -ss, - f.0.b., sacks in. Local, values are £4 12s 6d for best table sorts. The restrictions enforced by the.. Commonwealth. 'Agricultural. Qe.r., partmont against the importation of New Zealand potatoes 'makes, it absolutely■• impossible to' ship potatoes to any Commonwealth port. TIMARU. Wheat.—The market, in sympathy with advances in Australia, has firmed up considerably, and a fairly large quantity has j changed hands at 3s 10£d f.0.b., sacks extra, for prompt delivery. There is a good de- j mand, and 4s is asked for any distant shipment. In fowlwheat the market is bare, and only quotable at from 3s 9d to 3s lOd f.0.b., sacks in. Seconds up to 3s 6d f.o.b, sacks in. Oats. —The Wairuna is taking a large shipment of oats to Sydney. Prices for all descriptions have hardened, and to-day's values f.0.b., sacks in, are: A Gartons 2s. 6d. B do 2s 4d, duns 2s 5d to 2s 6d. Potatoes—There . are not many crops offering from farmers, most,of whom are ] pitting their crops in preference to taking present value of £5 10s f. 0.8., sacks in. Burlev.— Malting 4s to 4s 6d. according to a unlit v, and Cape barley 3s 6d f-.0.b. Good demand for latter.