EXPORT OF POTATOES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 455, 7 March 1919, Page 3

EXPORT OF POTATOES.

Government Action Criticised. < l At the meeting of the Executive < of the Franklin sub-provincial dis- j i trict of the Farmers' Union, held at i' Pukekohe on Monday last, the em-;' bargo on the exportation of potatoes i , and hides came in for a good deal of I discussion, in which members ex- j pressed themselves strongly as to J * their opinion on the conduct of the Board of Trade in interfering with the potato market. Mr B. W. Johns (Mauku) proposed -" That this Executive desires to know from what source the Board * of Trade obtained their information j regarding the shortage ot potatoes." , Mr Johns, in speaking to the motion, |; informed the meeting that he had j telegraphed the Hon. W. D. S. McDonald, protesting against the j embargo, stating that the price had j fallen, and potatoes were likely to j rot in the ground. He had, he said, I received the following reply, viz.:— i " Received your telegram regarding prohibition export of potatoes. It is difficult for me to understand your telegram re potatoes rotting in the ground. The position is, however, ' that if you have potatoes for export you should advise the Board of Trade, and if the potato market is J such that potatoes are plentiful, and j there is no demand for them, there is ! no doubt that an export permit will I be irsued. (Bigned) W. D. 8. McDonald " Mr Johns went on to state that in order to ascertain the condition of the market in Wellington, he wired for a quotation, and received the following reply :—"We have to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of yesterday, enquiring what offer we could make for one 'ruck prime potatoes, and confirm our reply advising that we regret r>eii'K unable to make an offer, «»• 'iur market is ver supplipd at the i-n-nent 'inie (Signed) < ardale ami *cott " Mr Johns claimed that hk !iPr.i was n<> ipparetit "f i at e> embargo linked like a • ' 'ill n.Mliipu'aMnn "f thn m rke's Mr & T Pi mi 'TunliHu) Ni-conde th Hi. i■! which »»■■■ c> rriMi, aii< '»■• •■ t< ■ in- w.f, ~f M< H O k . il .1 bv ■ • ■ ! _ ii . - i. V "i ' ;; \! -I-,, .1 . \\- i h , ' u I i , i te< 111 *• W I I • ■ . (j V. I >i. M i i ii I. 'i. ii r Nti il • (:iii.~llfll-h -1..1 ..-kl ». flint rtli n.triC'Ollx Bh"»Uid be plliOVed ft' I ..ice"