CAUGHT OUT!

Evening Star, Issue 23381, 26 September 1939, Page 6

CAUGHT OUT!

POTATO EXPLOITERS SUFFER'

CANTERBURY PROTEST MOST UNFAIR GROWERS THEMSELVES CREATED POSITION Merchants are inclined to feel “ hot under the collar ” at the remarks directed by Canterbury potato growers against those dealers who are handling Californian and Canadian potatoes. The suggestion coming from Canterbury that such merchants should be declared “ black ” is considered extremely unreasonable, to say the least, although as yet there is no such movement afoot locally.

The growers, who claim they are suffering because of the importations, are showing (it is claimed) an attitude for which the average man, when he understands the position, will have absolutely no sympathy. For it is asserted that these growers have been deliberately withholding potatoes in the anticipation of obtaining exceptionally high prices at the expense of the consumer. Some time ago it became apparent that there was going to be_ a shortage of potatoes through the failure of the crop. Extensive inquiries were made, the position being gone into thoroughly, and the outcome seeming to prove conclusively that there was anything but a sufficient supply to meet the Dominion’s needs until the new season’s crops were ready for digging. Farmers assured merchants that they held none in. reserve. Canterbury farmers in particular were positive that they had sent forward all that they possibly could. And as a big proportion of local requirements come from Canterbury towards the end of the season it began to appear as if this part of the world would be starved of potatoes before the season closed. The Government did the only thing possible; it arranged for the importation of potatoes from America. No sooner was it known that these potatoes were coming than farmers suddenly “ remembered ” they had a number of bags stowed away. These were at once unloaded on the market, and, of course, prices dropped from over £2O a ton to £ls and £l6. With the arrival of the overseas potatoes prices have gone hack still further, Canterbury quotations apparently being ,£lB to-day, with big stocks still held there. These farmers who kept back potatoes so that the market could be forced up to absurd figures are now the first to “ squeal ” because they feel they have been let down. Because they have no hope now of getting somewhere in the vicinity of £2O a ton they feel they have been extremely badly treated. In Canterbury they are to get, only £l3 a ton, too low a price to satisfy their dreams, but at that a price about twice what could be considered a fair and reasonable sum.

The importation of potatoes was not brought about to reduce prices, however high they might have been; it was brought about to relieve a shortage which the men who are now complaining emphasised They have, it appears, been hoist with their own petard. And so local merchants feel that the tone of the Christchurch protest is out of all perspective. Similar exploitation tactics have been adopted by growers in years past, and sometimes have been successful. This year, thanks to the quick ness with which the Government acted, the ruse has been blown up. Certainly the imported potatoes are dearer than locally grown, but on the other hand they are better buying when quality enters the picture, and possibly the knowledge that most consumers will prefer the American to the Dominion product is hurting the New Zealand grower more than he would care to admit.