POTATO IMPORTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20016, 15 August 1939, Page 15

POTATO IMPORTS

LICENSES ISSUED SUPPLIES FROM AMERICA j At the instance of the Government, which invited merchants to import potatoes in view of what was then j stated to be an anticipated shortage, I importers in Auckland have secured licenses to land supplies from tho Pacific coast of North America. It is considered that some hundreds of tons of potatoes will be shipped from California to the Dominion, provided credits for payment can be obtained from the Reserve Bank. Amerii « require mvmenl or, shipment and, as the Reserve Bank has held up the issue of permits generally, the difficulties over finance have so far delayed shipments. The Government is obviously concerned at the high prices ruling for Dominion-grown potatoes, rates ranging from £2O to £2l a ton. What effect importation would have in reducing rates naturally would depend on the extent of overseas competition. If finance is forthcoming it will be several weeks before Canadian and United States potatoes can appear, and importers are hardly likely to bring large supplies here at this stage of the season. Pukckohe growers are showing anxiety at the situation. A large acreage was planted, and supplies of new season’s potatoes are likely to start coming on tile market from the middle of September. The growers fear that such supplies would clash with importations. An asi surance has been given to them by the acting-Mini.ster of Marketing, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, that only sufficient quantities to tide the Dominion over a shortage will be permitted. However, this assurance has not allege* her relieved anxieties, as it is pointed out that there are still fairly large quantities of potatoes held at Ohakune, while .South Island .shipments are still coming forward.