POTATO SHORTAGE

Southland Times, Issue 24826, 19 August 1942, Page 5

POTATO SHORTAGE

MINISTER’S REPLY TO,

QUESTION

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 18. The shortage of potatoes throughout the Dominion was mentioned in the House of Representatives this evening in an urgent question by Mr J. A. Lee (Dem. Lab., Grey Lynn) on behalf of the Hon. W. E. Barnard (Dem. Lab., Napier). He asked the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, if he would have the position thoroughly investigated, stating that it was reported that one firm of wholesalers in Hawke’s Bay last week disposed by sale of bebetween 100 and 150 tons of potatoes. It was also reported that one Chinese grower had offered one retailer as many sacks of potatoes as he could buy. Mr Sullivan, in reply, said the potato stock position had already been thoroughly investigated and this had been responsible for /the recent drastic curtailment of supplies to the armed forces and civilians. Returns made by Hawke’s Bay merchants had revealed that not more than 40 tons of potatoes were held by them on August 1, and if any merchant had then been holding undisclosed stocks he committed an offence. While it might be true that the Chinese grower referred to had substantial stocks, it was essential that the disposal of the total limited stocks should be co-ordinated under one control and the Food'Controller would accept such potatoes on delivery to his agent. If growers were permitted to sell their potatoes to retailers at will, it would result in an inequitable apportionment of the available supplies.