POTATO SHIPMENT REJECTION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 135, 21 January 1916, Page 3

POTATO SHIPMENT REJECTION

The rejsction by the Government authoriti sof some 3000 bags of potatoes intended as a shipment to Australia by tbe e.s. Riverina from Auckland last Wednesday should be accepted as an object lesson by growers of Pukekohe, Buckland and Tuakau, from which districts the greater part of tbe potatoes had been consigned per tbe medium of merchants and brokers. The cause of the embargo put on the shipment was that tbe "spuds" were found to be affected with blight. It has been made evident in the past that growers neglect ta pay due attention to the grading of their produce and such was actually the cause of trouble in the present case, although of course want of proper care on the part of the diggers in "bagging" would be a contributory factor. It should, however, be explained that hot weather is responsible for bringing out after the potatoes have been dug and bagged any blight that might have been developing, although when taken from the ground the potatoes would show no sign of the disease. In order that the potato trade should be fostered by only a first-class article reaching the market, the local merchants some years ago proposed the appointment of a Government grader, and even offered to pay halt the salary of such an official, but tbe suggestion did not apparently find favour with tbe farmerp. It appears, howeve", tbat the prevalence ot blight was not the sol 3 caos6 of tha rejection of the shipment under notic?, but the fact that in some cases manure bags had been used in which to pack their potatoes was responsible tor them being turned down as the Government official-) cotsilered that unsuitable bag 3 of the nature referred to would te a bad advt for Dominion produce at