POTATOES FOR OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 8

POTATOES FOR OVERSEAS

GOVERNMENT TO BUY RED DAKOTAS INFORMATION ON SUPPLIES REQUIRED The Government is anxious to know as soon as possible what quantities of Red Dakota potatoes of suitable quality for export are available, according to a statement made by the Director of Internal Marketing (Mr F. R. Picot) in reply to inquiries on the potato export situation yesterday. He said that there was no difficulty in the shipping arrangements, but it was necessary to secure information on the available supplies so that the export programme could be arranged. “The Government is prepared to buy Red Dakotas of suitable quality for export at £ 3 a ton, sacks in, on trucks, at country stations,” said Mr Picot. “Red Dakotas are the only variety that will be purchased, and the potatoes must pass the standards prescribed by the Department of Agriculture. The purchases will be made through merchants who are able to provide the complete facilities and service up to the point of placing the potatoes on board ship.” The next shipment of potatoes, to South America, will be on the Port Melbourne, which is due to leave Melbourne in about a fortnight, he said, and growers were asked to assist in filling the shipment, which was expected to be of considerable size.

Mr Picot was in Ashburton yesterday, making arrangements with the local merchants, and he has obtained details as to the quantities that' are estimated to be coming forward for shipment. He emphasised that it was necessary for growers to appreciate that the sooner potatoes were forwarded to store the better, as the department would be Assisted in assessing the quantities that would have to be exported. , . Merchants were . now advising growers as to the quality required for export. Only those of exportable quality would be purchased by the Government. Mr Picot, who Is staying at the United Service Hotel, will remain in Christchurch to-day to see merchants interested in potato export, with whom growers will be in touch.