POTATO MARKETING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21063, 15 June 1938, Page 5

POTATO MARKETING

ATTITUDE OF FARMERS’ UNION By Telegraph —Press, Absociat’on CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. That the plans of the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, for the marketing of potatoes would have the fullest support of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union if those plans did not involve compulsory State marketing was emphasised by Mr W. W. Mulholland, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, in a statement tonight. Mr Mulholland was replying to the Minister’s remarks on Mr Mulholland’s earlier statement. “In reply to the Minister, I have to say that I do not object, nor does the Farmers’ Union, to the Minister doing his best to find overseas markets for our potatoes,” said Mr Mulholland. "On the contrary we heartily applaud such efforts which the Farmers’ Union has consistently urged upon the Government, and we can promise him our fullest support provided it is not State marketing that is intended. The words ‘the procedure to be followed will be announced early next week’ contained in Mr Nash’s announcement last Friday did suggest that a scheme of State marketing actually had been decided upon without any reference to the growers. My telegram of June 12 to Mr Nash left it open to him to deny that such was the case, but so far no denial has been made, while the report of a meeting of 11 growers at Ashburton uses the words ‘plans of the Government for the marketing of potatoes’.” In a.statement at Wellington to-day, Mr Nash said he did not desire to pursue the controversy except to say that since attention had been drawn to the fact that an endeavour was being made to dispose of the surplus crop he had received telegrams from potato growers expressing appreciation of the Government’s action in trying to assist them. He had also indicated to Mr Mulholland that he would be prepared to receive any representations the New Zealand Farmers’ Union desired to make.