VEGETABLE GROWING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 87, 6 July 1943, Page 8

VEGETABLE GROWING

jxJTATOES AND ONIONS NEXT SEASON'S CHLTi NATION The District Council ol' Primary Production luive been advised, that the Government have reached decisions, in respect ol the areas to be planted and the price to be paid I'or potatoes, and onions lor the season J 943/44. It had been decided that main crop potatoes and onions, as two of the six basic vegetables, would in the. coming season, in conformity with the Government's policy of economic stabilisation, be produced under the contract system. In resipect of, both main crop potatoes. and onions an arrangement has been entered into betAvcen the Government and the New Zealand Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants' Federation whereby members of that Federation undertake to secure the necessary contracts "with growers on behalf of the Government for the total requirements, for Armed Forces and domestic needs. Owing to the greatly increased demand, particularly for Armed Forces requirements in the Pacific, a substantial increase in the production areas of both potatoes and onions is required in the coming year. The New Zealand Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants' Federation has accordingly been advised by the Government that contracts should be secured with growers up to a total area of 33,000 acres for potatoes and 2250 acres for onions, as compared with last season's areas of 22,000 and 900 acrcs respectively. After consultation with tlie Potato Advisory Committee the Government has decided, in respect, of South Island main crop potatoes that the prices on which contracts are to be. made will be on a similar basis to that in 1943. That is, for Suttons and King Edward varieties, prices ranging from £7 15s per ton to £11 10s per ton free on sacks included South Island ports, for dpliver}' from March to November. The prices for all other varieties will be 10s per ton less than the above. The North Island main crop prices for all varieties on a sacks in on rail basis will be 35s per ton higher than the South Island f.o.b.s.i. prices, for Suttons and King Edwards delivered at similar periods. In addition, the mid, season potatoes grown in the North Island and Nelson district will also come under the contract system during the coming year at the following

prices:— December delivery £14 per ton free on rail sacks included. January delivery £12 per ton free on rail sacks included. February delivery £11 per ton free on rail sacks included. As in the case of North Island new crop potatoes, South Island new crop potatoes (other than Nelson grown) will not comc under the contract system, but will be subject to the following maximum prices:— Up to 30th November 1943 £42 10s per ton on rail sacks included. December 194.3 £35 per ton free on rail sacks included. January 1944 £25 per ton free on rail sacks included. February 1944 £18 per ton free on "rail sacks: included. In the case of the main onion crop the Government has conferred with the Onion Advisory Committee and the following contract prices have been approved:— March and April £10 per ton free on rail sacks included. May £11 per ton free on rail sacks included. June £12 per ton free on rail sacks included. July £11 per ton free on rail sacks included. August £lfi per ton free on rail sacks included. September £19 per ton free on rail sacks included. October £22 per ton free oil rail Jacks included. , November £28 per ton free on ail sacks included. During the period December to I ebi-uary onions will not come unicr the system but. the folowing maximum prices will operate or new season onions: December 1943—a retail maximum •rice of 7d per lb. January ISM4-M3 per ton free on ail sacks included growers station February 194J-JJ2 1)C1 . ton fre^ n rail sacks included growers staI Oil. The members of the Federation -e immediate y undertaking all arangements in securing contracts

with growers: in all districts, as it is necessary that full information concerning the area to be 1 planted should be in the hands of the Government before the annual planting season commences, so that should the total acreage, fall below the minimum area required the necessary steps; could be taken to ensure that in one Avay or another the total Dominion needs will be covered. The Minister emphasises the fact that Jn order that growers may receive the fixed, prices. as announced they should promptly make definite contracts with their merchants., as these prices will only be guaranteed to those growers who have entered into such contracts. It is hoped that in view of the. urgent demand for increased supplies producers will whenever possible increase their acreage in rcspcct of these two essential vegetables, and enter into definite contract arrangements with their usual merchants. The New Zealand Grain, Seed and. Producc Merchants' Federation has undertaken that supplies from contract areas' will be. available month by month in terms of the assessed requirements of both the civilian market and the Armed Forces.; but regular deliveries can only be assured i/ growers are prepared to enter into contracts with merchants.