DOMINION POTATOES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24410, 23 September 1940, Page 8

DOMINION POTATOES

AUSTRALIAN OUTLET FRESH REPRESENTATIONS STATEMENT BY MINISTER / (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 22. In an effort to dispose ot more New Zealand potatoes in Australia, fresh representations will be made by the Minister of Marketing (Mr W Nash) to the Australian authorities nexi Tuesday In a statement tht 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 be 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 the shipments had been made expeditiously from New Zealand, and only a few hundred tons remained to be shipped whereas it was proposed when the exports were first arranged to ship at least 1000 tons in October. Requests for Australian acceptance of further shipments had been delayed because of political conditions in the Commonwealth, Mr Nash said The Federal elections took place on Saturday and it would be opportune to reopen negotiations next week, when the position had been clarified; Referring again to the quality of the shipments. Mr Nash said that New Zealand had given Australia no room for complaints. The murmurs about the first shipment he believed were largely inspired by Australian merchants.