POTATO EXPORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21126, 27 August 1938, Page 7

POTATO EXPORT

ASSISTING THE PORT OF TIMARU ' SUPPORT PROMISED In regard to the Timaru Harbour Board’s request that some consideration should be given to utilising the Port of Timaru for export trade in potatoes, a letter was received at the monthly meeting yesterday from Mr L. J. Schmidt, secretary of the Industries and Commerce Section of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourist and Publicity, who advised that he had referred the Board’s request to the Director of Internal Marketing, and had received the following reply: "Concerning representations made to you by the Timaru Harbour Board in regard to the loss of revenue on account of the falling off in the export in potatoes, I would like to point out that the quantity of potatoes available for shipment overseas this season is probably only a quarter of what it was last year,” wrote the Director of Internal Marketing. "In view of this other ports through which shipments were made in 1937 will have suffered in a similar way, to the Timaru Board,” continued the letter.

“As you are no doubt aware, although we are interesting ourselves in the potato shipments, we are making practically all our negotiations through the regular exporters, who are in a position to submit definite orders from overseas clients, which are suitably backed financially by letter of credit. “If suitable opportunity presents itself, we will see what we can do to assist the Timaru Harbour Board in the direction desired,” concluded the letter.

“In view of the above position,” commented Mr Schmitt, "you will readily understand that the amount of export business likely to be available in your district will be rather small, but you have the assurance of the Director of Marketing that, if possible the Timaru Harbour Board facilities will be utilised.”

Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., forwarded a copy of a letter from the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, who stated that if export orders were possible to be executed through Timaru then careful consideration would be given in order that if at all practicable Timaru would receive its proportion of shipments.