DISEASE FEARED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 1

DISEASE FEARED.

Lifting of Embargo on N.Z. Potatoes. AUSTRALIAN OPPOSITION. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 4. noon.) CANBERRA, May 4. The danger of introducing the potato disease known as corky scab into Australia by the removal of the embargo on New Zealand potatoes was emphasised during a debate in the House of Representatives. Mr Gardner, the Government Whip, talked out a motion that the House adjourn to discuss the proposal to lift > the embargo. - Mr M’Grath, who introduced the motion, said he did not seek a vote on the question, but was anxious for a full statement of the Government’s intentions. Potato growers were greatly alarmed at the proposal to remove the : embargo. The introduction of corky scab would mean the ruin of local crops, and throw idle for ten years or | more land now used for potatoes. Ex- ; perts said it was impossible to eradij cate the disease, and the Government j was contemplating introducing the i dreadful disease into the third great- ! est primary industry in Victoria. By ' a stroke of the pen, it was proposed to 1 wipe potato growers out of existence. ;Mr M’Grath added. Potatoes sold last month at £8 a ton had declined to £5 , a ton when the rumour got about that i New Zealand potatoes were coming to Australia. On the other hand, they inj creased from £2 to £6 a ton in New j Zealand. ; A deputation of 200 growers, despite j the expense involved, is coming to j Canberra on Friday to see the Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, to seek a definite statement on the subject. Mr Stewart, Minister of Commerce, said he could not divulge the text of the proposed agreement, but he could give an assurance tliat the Government would take no action which would imperil the potato industry.