EXPORT OF POTATOES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 253, 23 September 1940, Page 8

EXPORT OF POTATOES.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA

Per Press Association

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 22. In an effort to dispose of more New Zealand potatoes in Australia, fresh representations will be made by the Minister of Marketing (Hon. AV. Nash) to the Australian authorities next Tuesday. In a statement, the Minister said that one of the main difficulties in the way of increased exports, particularly to South America, was the question of freight. Thousands of tons could he exported but for this problem. The 5000 tons of New Zealand potatoes to be sent to Australia had given local growers some relief, and, though there had been slight complaints about the quality of the first shipment, the high standard of the shipments had made a favourable impression in Sydney. The Minister added that shipments had been made expeditiously from New Zealand and only a few hundred tons remained; to he shipped, whereas it was proposed, when the exports were first arranged, to ship at least one thousand tons in October. Requests for Australian acceptance of further shipments had been delayed liecause of political conditions in the Commonwealth, said Mr Nash. The Federal elections took place on Saturday, and it would be opportune to reopen negotiations next week when the position had clarified. Referring again to the duality of the shipments' Mr Nash said that New Zealand had given Australia no room for complaints. Murmurs about the first shipment, he believed, were largely inspired by Australian merchants.