DOMINION POTATOES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 7

DOMINION POTATOES

AUSTRALIAN EMBARGO MR. LYONS NON-COMMITTAL Received May 5, 11.55 p.m. CANBERRA, May 5. The Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, declined to commit the Commonwealth Government to any definite course of action with regard to an embargo against the importation of New Zea land potatoes when a large deputation of potato-growers waited on him today to protest against the reported intention to lift the embargo. He assured the deputation that nothing could be done for at least two months. He was for a trade agreement and hoped to convince New Zealand that '.he potato embargo was purely a quarantine piecaution. Mr. Lyons added that the Common wealth Government was aware that there was a feeling of antagonism towards Australia over this embargo and what New Zealanders regarded as a general attitude of opposition to their interest:.. “We want to be able to prove vo New Zealand that there is no .justification for lifting the embargo.” ho raid “We must produce the actual facts in order to combat their retaliation. ”

Mr. F. Harris, a member of the deputation. said that he investigated potato-growing in New Zealand on be half of the Commonwealth six years ago and ascertained that, with the exception of about. 700 acres, there was not one area in both Islands free from corky scab.