Inspection of Potatoes.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3785, 19 May 1908, Page 2

Inspection of Potatoes.

By Telegraph.—Press Association, Dunedin, Saturday.

Matters in connection with the proposed inspection of potatoes at the port of arrival are becoming complicated. Circulars and communications have been, and are being, sent out from the Department Auckland, which leaves no doubt whatever that the proposed inspection, so far as that particular port is concerned, applies to other ports of New Zealand as well as ports beyond the seas. On April 29, the following type-written circular, over the signature of W. A. Boucher, inspector for the Department at Auckland, was received by Southern merchants:—"With a view to preventing any further spread of the various potato diseases, it is desirable that an inspection be made of all potatoes shipped to Auckland from other New Zealand ports. It is, therefore, desirable in the interests ot both shipper and importer that the inspector be notified of expected shipments in order that the inspection may be carried out with as little delay as possible." A further communication from the Department, under date of May 11, refers to the subject in the following terms:—"So far arrangements have not been made for inspection at the port of shipment, but it is quite possible that this may be done. In that case potatoes passed by the inspector in Dunedin will certainly not be re-inspected here. With regard to the correspondence now being carried on between the Auckland importers and the Government, I shall take no stringent action with regard to infected lines unless they prove to be exceptionally bad."

The foregoing communications from the Department at Auckland are palpably at variance with the assurance of the Minister for Agriculture that "inspection does not apply to New Zealand potatoes, but to potatoes from beyond the seas."