NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.

TJIE AUSTRALIAN EMBARGO. ’ WELLINGTON, February 17. The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia has now replied to the protest made by the New Zealand Government - against the embargo placed upon the importation of potatoes into Australia from New Zealand. This reply reads as follows:—“With reference to your cablegram of February 2 regarding the importation of potatoes, this matter has been receiving very serious consideration since the discovery in June last of an infected consignment. This Government had a very natural and sincere reluctance to imposing any measure adversely affecting trade between the Dominion and the Commonwealth. There is strong apprehension amongst growers of the effect oa their industry by the introduction of thfe# new disease. This apprehension might have been combatted by ejbKxtionr.l methods if the experts had been positively assured that importation might be continued . without risk. The experts,

however, held contrary opinions, influenced chiefly by the unknown phase in the natural history of the disease concerned. In the circumstances this Government, with the greatest reluctance, and after long consideration, decided that the bulk importation of potatoes involved greater risk than could justifiably be taken. After the fullest consideration, I have, with great regret, to inform you that this Government considers that the present arrangements should continue until it is clear that importable bulk consignment can be resumed without rhe slightest risk of the importation of the disease.” “ It is greatly regretted,” said the Hon. O. J. Hawken (Minister 1 of Agriculture) to-day, “that the Commonwealth Government has found itself unable to alter its previous decision, and, having regard to all the circumstances, a further communication has been sent by the New Zealand Government in the hope that some arrangement may yet be possible under which our potatoes can be marketed in Australia.”