DEMAND DISAPPEARS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23315, 26 September 1945, Page 4

DEMAND DISAPPEARS

Potatoes And Onions (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 25. “With the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific and the early withdrawal of the. greater portion of the Allied forces in that area, the overseas demand which has existed for supplies of potatoes and onions from New Zealand during the last three years has disappeared.” said the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. B. Roberts) today. Information had been received that no supplies of either potatoes or onions would be required bv the American forces after December, and it therefore became essential to reciuce the area planted fn the South Island in the next two months to that normally grown in pre-war years, otherwise a serious glut in supplies, with consequent disastrous prices to grower... might result. “South Island growers should therefore not plant acreages as high as last year, but should confine themselves Io normal market quantities,” said the Minister. “If growers desire, the Government is prepared to consider continuing the contract system up to the extent of normal civilian requirements.” Mr Roberts concluded.