A HINT TO EXPORTERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1697, 13 March 1913, Page 8

A HINT TO EXPORTERS.

PACKING ONIONS FOB AUSTRALIA. OUTr.OOK Foil I'OTA'L'OKS. It is sTated Hint lust season inslances weru noted of careless packing, both in regard to« onions anil iiulatoes exported from New. Zealand. If the exporter at lli-is end is to get the best value for (lie produce lie must see that it is properly graded and packed; also that the regulations laid down by the Commonwealth are complied with,. The Director of the Orchards and Gardens Division of tho Department: of -Agriculture (Mr. T. W. Kirk) lias just received an interesting letler in the above c'onncclion from a leading Sydney firm of auctioneers and commission agents. In tho course of the letter are the following remarks, which are of special interest tii New Zealand shippers:—"We take the liberty of dropping you a line in reference .to the export of onions from your Ilumillion. 'J'liese should be packed in new gunny bags or in small hessinn soulels, and not in sacks that are used tor potatoes. Unless the packing is strictly attended to the onions get, no chance of carrying to his porl (Sydney) in sound order. We would therefore be thankful if you can make it a condition with His exporters that they adont either of the packages mentioned. . The same practice obtains m Victoria, and is adopted in New South Wales in November and December, when we are exporting onions to New Zealand. We feel sure that in the interests of the trade generally you will treat our suggestion as of interest to liie Dominion as well as in the interests of ourselves." Dealing with the position in regard to potatoes in New South Wales,'tho letler says: "Wo may say for your information that the potato crops, although not very heavy, are above the average this season, and it seems quite unlikely that we shall require much , assistance* from New Zealand during the first, half of tiro year at any rate. Just now they are sending us from la,ooo to 18,000 sacks weekly from Tasmania, and from 3000 to 5000 bags from Victoria, whilst our owi main local crons will be available in another two or threo weeks."