SUPPLIES OF POTATOES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1923, Page 2

SUPPLIES OF POTATOES

THE POSITION SERIOUS. A FAMINE PREDICTED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 17 “The position with regard to potatoes is very, very serious,” said a prominent grower to a “Lyttelton Times” reporter yesterday. “The seriousness of the position cannot possibly ho exaggerated. Before very long nobody in New Zealand will know where to pick up a potato.” The crops in South Canterbury, lie said, hiad proved almost a complete failure. He cited the case of a grower, who, in forward dealing, sold a firm half his crop. When ho came to dig ho found that his entire crop would barely fulfil tho order for what he had estimated as the half crop. That instance was typical, and served to show to what extent the crops had failed. On top of that failure had como the floods in North Canterbury, which, he declared, have almost wiped out tho potato crops. 1 ‘1 do not think 30 per cent of tho crops will ho saved,” Ho declared.

“The public do not realise the position they aro in,” he said. ' “I liavo not the slightest doubt- that potatoes will reach £2O a ton, and the public. T think, should know the position as soon as possible. A trip through Kaiapoi and Rangiora has shown mo how serious the position is. In many of the paddocks tho water is still lying in furrows, and it is impossible to lift tho potatoes. In some cases tubers are being lifted, but they are ruined. Combine this position with the failure of the crops in South Canterbury and you can realise how serious the position is. Even at Willowbridge potatoes are not to he had. From Dunedin to Invercargill you cannot get ten t-ons of potatoes if you offer £lO a ton. Tho whole of New Zealand will he looking for support to this province. Without the floods we might have carried on, but now that the floods have done such extensive ruin potatoes must get dearer every day. At Timaru andWaimate £1 a sack is being paid. Many merchants are finding that they cannot supply their forward sales. Farmers are finding that instead of digging ten tons to the acre they are getting only five. Christchurch is practically bare of potatoes at the present time. Auckland, having been cut off from supplies for some time, will have almost exhausted their stocks. Dunedin, Southland and Auckland will be coming on the market to compete with tho local demand. Tho result, I think, will be that potatoes will go to 30s a bag very shortly. If the North Island do not bid up they will not got supplies.”