POTATO SHORTAGE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 48, 19 November 1937, Page 4

POTATO SHORTAGE

"Rationing" May Have to be Introduced wholesalers' plight Owing to the unfavourable season nxperienced throughout New Zealand, but partieularly in. the North Island, there is a decidfed uncertainty about the potato market at the present time. Prices have risen sharply as the result of short supplies and there is a possibility of a rationing system being introduced in Hastings. > One of tlie principal sources of supplies of "new" potatoes at this time of the year in. Hawke's Bt»y is Pukekohe and oue leading tvhoiesaie mercliaDt stated this morniug that the position had bocome ratlier serious as tar as supplies are concerned. His firm, in company with' others in the trade, had been obliged to adviso greeifc-grocers, provision stores, and other customers, that previous quotations had been withdrawn and, where possible, all orders in liand would be. supplied, but it might be necessary to ration orders. Owing to the uncertainty of.the market, prices now charged were being based on the ruling rates on the day of railing and were cn a competitive basis with those suppJied from other sources. "There is every possibih'ty that supplies will not be available at all next week, and meanwhile we are endeavouring to locate sufficient Hawke's Bay new season's potatoes," he stated. Some success had Tieen met iu this direction and, though limited in quantity, a supply of local grown potatoes was placed on the market yesterday.