POTATO CROP

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1927, Page 4

POTATO CROP

KXPOItT TO AUSTRALIA

WELLINGTON, March 8

Reports indicate Lliat the potato crop in Canterbury this season will lie even heavier than last year. The prospects ol' the Australian market for the exported surplus were discussed by Mr Robert Nairn., a well-known horticulturist and nurseryman, of Christchurch who returned by the U'imaroa to-day from a business trip to Australia. Mr Naim said reports from Tasmania stated that the Island would produce a record crop of potatoes this season, and the Tasmanians acre strongly desirous of a complete embargo being placed on New Zealand potatoes, and failing .this that a very heavy duty he imposed This attitude is also supported by Victorian potatogrowers, who are using political pressure to this end. The Victorian growers are having a very lean time. Their crops in many districts have suffered severely from summer frosts, and in consequence hundreds of acres will not yield more thaif one ton to the acre. It was stated frankly in well-informed circles that Victoria could not supply her own needs this season, and potatoes would he very dear in the State later. South Australia and West Australia also reported a great' shortage, and would have to draw upon Tasmania for supplies. The Sydney market was now drawing upon Tasmania, and the quality was first- class. Tasmania are determined to benefit bv the situation, and will do all thev can t > keep New Zealand out of’the market. They insist- that New Zealand potatoes are not free from blight, and make much of the powdery scab, which they claim is not found in their potatoes.

That New Zealand potatoes would ho needed in. Sydney later on there could he no doubt. Nothing but clean potatoes should he shipped, otherwise the doc;- wou'd he closed to Dominion exporters. Tasmanian potatoes of firstclass quality, were selling freely in Sydney at £l3 per ton. with a promise of much higher prices ns the season advanced. In Adelaide and Melbourne which at present were drawing supplies from within one hundred miles radius, potatoes were selling at £0 to £9 IDs a ton, and the quality was only fair.