EMBARGO QUESTION IS AGAIN RAISED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18684, 13 February 1929, Page 12

EMBARGO QUESTION IS AGAIN RAISED.

SCARCITY OF POTATOES IN N.S.W. OWING TO FAILURE OF CROP

The question of exporting potatoes to Sydney has again arisen this season. A year or two ago large quantites were shipped to Sydney from Canterbury and Otago, but at the instance of the Victorian growers the Federal Government decided to put an embargo on New Zealand potatoes. The reason given was that the Dominion tubers were affected with a disease known as powdery scab. This disease was alleged to have been found in a small shipment of twenty-five tons sent to Melbourne, though, in spite of careful examination, it was apparently not found in any of the thousands of tons of potatoes that were sent to Sydney that year. There is every reason to believe that the real reason for the embargo was not powdery scab, but the protection of the interests of the Victorian growers.

This season the question of the shipment of New Zealand potatoes to Sydney has been revived, mainly because potatoes are scarce and dear in the New South Wales capital. Some weeks ago a suggestion was made that Auckland growers should endeavour to have the embargo removed, in order that an outlet might be provided for the surplus that was at that time flooding the northern market. Nothing came of this, and, in any case, it would probably have proved a limited and not altogether satisfactory trade, because Auckland grown potatoes do not keep well. Canterbury grown potatoes are in a different category, and there seems little doubt that, but for the embargo, there would be a ready and profitable sale for them in Sydney later in the year, when they are fit for shipment. The New South Wales crop has been practically a failure this season. It is estimated that the Tasmanian crop will be from 10 to 15 per cent less than usual, while a reduction is also expected in the Victorian yield on account of the dry weather experienced in that State. Trade with Sydney would, of course, be of benefit to Canterbury growers, but unfortunately the prospects of this seem rather remote. The Department of Agriculture recently received word from the Sydney authorities that the importation of potatoes from New Zealand for “food purposes” had been definitely refused.

The position with regard to the market in Sydney is set out in the following letter received by a Christchurch merchant from a firm of Sydney merchants:—“Since the beginning of January prices have ranged from £l6 to £25 a ton, and, as we write, Tasmanian potatoes are worth £2O and Victorians £lB. These high values can scarcely be expected to hold, but, as our local crops are practically a failure and as there is no other source of supply except from your side, we do not think we will be far out in estimating an average of £l2 to £ls. It is very unfortunate that your potatoes are barred from entering the Commonwealth at the present time, but we think that, if a united movement were to take place at your end and then your Government took the matter up with the Federal authorities here, some conces% sion could surely be made in season like the present. If we can aftsist the merchants on your side in any way we will be only too glad to do so.”