POTATOES FOR EXPORT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1434, 8 May 1912, Page 10

POTATOES FOR EXPORT.

GRAIN GRADERS AS INSPECTORS.

Tho suggestion of the Prime Minister that ho proposes to appoint grain grauei* as inspectors to pass potatoes for expert was the subject of comment yesterday u.\ a well-known merchant. Grain, graders in New. Zealand said the merchant m tion, are privute persons and in moat Qases thoy are employees of produce chants. They may, he added, frequently be called upon topass their employers consignments as well as those ot othei persons in the same line of business. asked the merchant, can they comply with Australia's requirements, viz., that »tlu\v certii'v no disease was known during the past venr on tho farm where the potatoes were The position continued tho complainant, is anomalous to say the least of it; and is likely to lead to trouble. Further, he added, I . understand that grain inspectors are not responsible to the Government —in fact, the certificates given bv these men .are stamped across the face in red that the Government accepts 110 responsibility. If diseased potatoes are shipped, concluded the merchant, it can only do harm to our export trade in the future. Although the Prime Ministers sugges-tion-boksas though it. must bring trouble in its train, it would appear tint the step the Agricultural Department has taken in instructing inspectors that they can issue the certificates required by tho Commonwealth on certain conditions, would meet the ease. The instructions in question provide that certificates may be issued provided: (1) That a properly signed declaration is produced by the grower to the effect that the potatoes were grown on promises which have not shown infection from Irish blight or potato canker during the preceding twelve months. (2) That-a properly sworn declaration is produced by the shipper to tho. effect that nil potatoes comprised under the mark he is submitting for inspection were grown on the, fann. of the grower supplying tho above certificate. . • *.