IMPORTATION OF POTATOES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17693, 6 July 1927, Page 13

IMPORTATION OF POTATOES.

NORTH ISLAND TAKES A HAND

AN EMPHATIC PROTEST. \ It would seem that the attempt by some North Island speculators to “break” the South Island potato market has not much hope of success, as North Island potato-growers have now joined the South Island growers in protesting to the Government. At a meeting held at Pukekohe (the principal potato-growing centre of the North Island), thei chairman (Mr O. Heerdegen), said the importation of Australian potatoes was a serious matter for the New Zealand producers. There were small quantities of southern potatoes available, but the merchants would not look at them, claiming that the price asked was too high, yet they paid a bigger price for the Australian product. Pukekohe growers would be affected. If Australian importations continued there would be a certain overcarry in the south and consequently a- low price ivould be the result, for early potatoes in the initial part of the new season. The speaker contended that the price asked for southern potatoes was not high by any means, and did not warrant importation from a neighbouring country. He maintained that the action of certain merchants was totally unfair, and the only reason he could see for their action was that they were making a much bigger profit on the imported article to the detriment of the New, Zealand grower. He believed that seven Auckland merchants had imported hundreds of tons of potatoes and were pushing off the Australian potatoes and prejudicing the sale of the southern. In other words an effort was being made to bear the market to suit their own ends.

GOVERNMENT NOT DOING ITS DUTY.

Mr F. Perkins, a local produce merchant, considered the importation of Australian potatoes grossly unfair, especially as an embargo was placed oil New Zealand potatoes by the Australian Government. He considered the New Zealand Government was not doing its duty by the New Zealand growers in permitting such a one-sided business, and urged that representations be made to the . Government to arrange that no Australian potatoes be allowed to enter the Dominion unless . New.,, Zealand; potatoes were permitted to be exported to Australia. He said that Dominion growers were not getting a fair deal. Another representative of a produce firm, Mr. H. J. Sumner, said lie favoured restrictions, being placed on the importation 'of Australian potatoes until such time as the embargo imposed on New, Zealand potatoes by the Commonwealth Government was removed.

, RESOLUTION PASSED. After further d'iscussioii' the following resolution was passed unanimously, copies of which are to be forwarded tp, the Ministers of Agriculture, Customs' anH Railways, and the Member .for Franklin (Mr E. D. McLennan: “That this meeting of Pukekohe and Franklin potato growers emphatically protests against the impor : tation of Australian potatoes into New Zealand. If the importation continues the growers will be forced to market potatoes at well under the cost of production! Australia' prohibits New Zealand .potatoes without any sound reason.- In 1923 the, growers were faced with the same unfair, competitiqn.. ~ The Commonwealth Govertiment protects its small farmer, surely, ours can do the same and give us British fair play.”

STATEMENT BY HON.'W. DOWNIE STEWART. In further reply to the Ashburton potato-growers, who ..forwarded a protest to the Government asking that steps be taken to protect the local industry against the importation of Tasmanian potatoes the Minister of Customs (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart), has written to Mr Hi Hatts (chairman'of the growers’ meeting) das follows:—“With further reference to your telegram of June 23rd, and my reply of the 27th, I have to inform you that inquiries have now been made with, respect to, the. Importation of potatoes from Tasmania. So far as I can learn, no shipment has yet come to hand, and from information obtained respecting present market quotations, hereand in Tasmania,** it does not appear likely that any considerable quantities will be imported in the near future. You can rest assured that the regulations under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act will be enforced as far, as any shipments, of potatoes are concerned, I may say that the Government will keep a close watch on the position, and will’ see that as far as possible the interests of New;'Zealand growers are duly conserved,’.’