POTATO GROWERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 12

POTATO GROWERS

I ANNUAL MEETING OF RANGITIKEI ASSN. A SUCCESSFUL SEASON (Own Correspondent). MARTON, Dec. 7. There was a good attendance of ‘ members and visitors at the annual ' meeting of the Rangitikei Potato ■ Growers’ Association, which was held in the Marton Jockey Club’s rooms on • Wednesday evening. Mr. F. C. Jur- ’ gens (president) presided. Visitors ■ present were Mr. C. J. Hamblyn (De- ‘ partment of Agriculture. Palmerston • North), Mr. A. P. Stuart (Manawatu ’ Mills), Mr. Ronald Abraham (Abra- ’ ham Seed and Produce Co., Palmer--1 ston North), Mr. H. E. Christmas (Hodder and Tolley Ltd., Palmerston North). Annual Report The president (Mr. F. C. Jurgens), in his annual report, stated that it gave him pleasure to report the results of another season’s activities of our association. The past season was a very difficult one for growers. The weather during December, 1938, was unduly wet, and during the late summer and early autumn it was exceedingly windy. TA result was that all crops were completely ruined. Although! the acreage planted in Rangitikei was more than the previous season the quantity of potatoes sent away was considerably less. Our sales of bags numbered 12,600, but this does not indicate the true tonnage railed by our growers. Digging commenced earlier than usual and during January and February the quality of the potatoes was ,iy gicen and the grading was not up to the usual standard, it was therelore considered inadvisable to issue tags until the end of February, when the grading and quality had come back to normal. Considerable business had, however, been transacted by some growers before tagging commenced. The trend of the market during this year is now well known to all present, The light crops which were experienced were apparently general throughout the country, with the result that prices rose to a very high level indeed, and an acute shortage of potatoes was evident before the end of the season. ihe Government allowed importations from Canada and in oruer to .. . ..us noni an over impora y.o.tir association contacted tne . .naent asking that only an essenLial quantity be admitted, and that „u.iCc control over disease be exercised. Their reply was that these points would be carefully watched. No rejections of tagged potatoes was reported to the association, and this speaks well for our grading in a difficult season. It was not felt necessary to call the committee together during the season as there was no business of major importance to be dealt with. The high prices ruling for South Island table potatoes was reflected to our disadvantage in the price asked for South Island seed. Very high prices have ruled and it will be difficult lor any profit to be made on crops sown wholly from Southern seed, the quality of the seed which has ' come from the South was in some cases very bad. Merchants there and here will have to realise that our growers are going to refuse delivery in future cases of inferior quality. Crops at the moment are looking well, but the labour problem looks as tnougn it may be difficult, whilst tne outbreak of war has caused an alarmling increase in the value of sacks. However, these problems must all be i met as they arrive ,and I wish growers a very successful season. .We welcome the merchants again an l : trust that problems can be discussed ; to our mutual advantage. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, the btilarice-sheet showing a profit of £4 4s 8d on the year’s work- . ing and a credit at the bank of £32 11s sd.

Election of Officers Before vacating the chair, Mr. Jurgens referred to the excellent services rendered by Mr. N. Shelton, as secretary. He had attended to the business of the association in a manner that 'was reflected in the successful opera- : tion.s of the association for the past year. (Applause). I Mr. F. C. Jurgens was re-elected : president, and Mr. N. Shelton secretary. General Committee; Messrs. Stan

I Gibbs, O. A. Dornbush, J. Gibbs, R. ( Andrews, J. Wright, A. Amer, and the president and secretary ex officio. Mr. , H. Frederich was appointed the merchants’ representative on the com- ! 1 mittee. 1 General Business Mr. Christmas congratulated the as- ■ sociation on their successful season t and smooth working of their affairs. The issuing of tags till February was | a move in the right direction, i: tagged potatoes carry with them a grade of good quality and was appreciated by the merchants. He was sure that there were further markets ■ for potatoes for Rangitikei and Mana- ; watu, and the North Island was prac- . tically dependent on these counties s for their supply of potatoes. He hoped the association would arrange for all potato growers m the district to be--1 come members of the association, and . that their potatoes would come up to the high standard reached by the R.angitikei Association. Messrs. A. P. Stuart and R. Abraham endorsed the remarks of Mr. Christmas, Mr. Abraham stating that tag'ged potatoes were in great demand and merchants were offering 5s more per ton for tagged potatoes against those that were not tagged. Mr. C. J. Hamblyn congratulated , the asociation on its successful efforts during the past reason and the high grade of the Rangitikei potatoes. A good deal o£ attention had been given to manures, some of which had proved beneficial. Their efforts in Ohakune to produce seed potatoes was nut meeting with much success owing to the high price ruling for table potatoes and the number of Chinese grow- j ers. They had good seed but they did 1 not trouble about certification. Referring to the shortage of bags, Mr. Christmas stated that the merchants were endeavouring to , pack potatoes in ordinary sacks, and it was up to the merchants to supply full size sacks. It was doubtful whether they would be able to meet the full • demand. The chairman stated that it was | not allowed to pack potatoes in superphosphate bags. The Australian wheat I bag was quite a good bag for potatoes, I clean and easy to handle. Mr. R. Andrews express \ I appreciation of the interest taken by the merchants in the affairs of the association. A Sociable Conclusion At the conclusion of the general business a short toast list was honoured as follows: "The King.” Mr. Abraham proposed the toast of "Rangitikei Potato Growers' Association.” Mie chairman, in responding, referred to the difficulties experienced in the formation of the associati x.i, and the lack of interest displayed at the outset in joining up, but he was pleased to state that they had overcome all their difficulties and were now well established. Mr. S. Gibbs proposed ;he Merchants,” which was I'esponued o by | Mr. A. P. Stuart. Mr. R. Andrews proposed ' The De- , partment of Agriculture.” Mr. C. J. j namblyn responded, and gave a brief outline of the work carried out by th” | instructors for the benefit ol ail ; classes of agriculturists. The chairman proposed the toast of "The Press,” eulogising the good work the Press throughout the Dominion, and especially in "boosting” the firstclass RangitiKei potatoes, which was responded to by Mr. A. Way. Mr. Shelton proposed the toast of “The Chairman,” which was drunk with musical honours. "The Secretary” was proposed by Mr. R. Andrews and responded to by Mr. N. Shelton. Mr. J. H. C. Broad thanked the association for the invitation to the merchants to attend their annual meeting, stating that, their work would be of great advantage to the potato growers of Rangitikei. The chairman expressed the appreciation of the association to their : visitors from Palmerstjii North. Mr. Hamblyn would in the near future pay a visit to Rangitikei and inspect the crops of the potato growers in the district.