Manawatu Potatoes to Be Held Back

Chronicle (Levin), 10 February 1948, Page 8

Manawatu Potatoes to Be Held Back

- — ~ - » • " 'T-' \ WELLINGTON Feb. 9. ' 1 Potato erops tliroughout -all distriets in the North Island are yielding unusually wdll this year owing to a favourable_ growiiig seaSon and exceptibiial yields are reported from Hawke 's Bay anft some other areas. These have bbdn eausirig some marketing difiiculties to growcfs in'thbse afeas where potatoes canhot be, kept in the ^ground at this time-of the year," said the Mihister of "Alarketing and Agriculture, Mr. Gullen. '"While the.Governm.eilt has no eoht^act obligations for early potatoes such as it has fot main crop potatoes later in the season, it nevertheless feels that every possilile assist--ance should be given growers iu their preseht ''marketing difhculties. . "After full consideration ,of the position it , lias been decided that the best way tb. assist in overeoming the difficulty is to plaee a temporary re-' striction on the transport of potatoes froili the R'aiigitikei and Manawatu district. Potatoes from this area could be held back for a period before being marketed, withdut causing hardship to the- grOWers in this district, and would give prodUcers in Gisborne, Hawke 's Bay,' Pukekohe amb else where the opportuni.ty of selling -their potatoes. Growers in Rangitikei and Manawatu who have contracts wijh the ^3-overn-ment f.or main crop potatoes for Febl'uary delivery, will be fullv reimburs'ed where they are reqUired to hold their potatoes back for latef delivery." _ Jlf. Oullen empliasised- that this present aniple supply of potatoes niav be of a'temporary uature only and that i the overall acreage planted this season 1 was considered to be just sufficient to | meet the Dorniuion's recpiirements. It | was therefore essential to niake the | fullest use of available supplics.