THE POTATO MARKET

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 557, 13 August 1920, Page 1

THE POTATO MARKET

» ABUNDANCE OF SUPPLIES. There are reported to be tons on tons of potatoes, and the quality is very good this year, lying in the South Island stores. Nature has been bountiful to the grower this year, and he wishes she hadn't. A merchant informed a representative of a newspaper recently that he would be'only too glad to sell potatoes by the sack to anyone who will come along with lis 6d from store in Wellington. They would then cost a fraction over x 'id per pound, and they will keep from three to four months, and are sound, good table sorts. Export to Australia is not permissible. Stimulation of local consumption by selling at lis 6d to 12s a sack would no doubt help t-ie grower to reduce his holding. But even after fulfilling all New Zealand domestic requirements there would still be a very heavy carryover. What is wanted is' some cheaps means of delivery of this superabundance of wholesome and nourishing food, now at bottom prices, into the homes of the people. If the people could be sure of getting the potatoes at the house at ?id per pound they would effefct a saving in the price of the article, ease down on bread, assist the grower, and prevent what portends to be a grievous waste of wholesome food for want of a better and less costly distributing methods than at present obtain. To the above the "Times" may add that the present conditions obtaining suggest that our advocacy of the erection of a potato flourmill in this district in order to utilise surplus tubers was timely. A Southern paper suggests that the Government ought to make investigations with a view to ascertaining whether it is possible to get motor spirit from potatoes. If it wore found profitable the potato growers would have a market for all they could grow.