POTATO SUPPLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1943, Page 2

POTATO SUPPLY

PROSPECTS OF VERY SERIOUS SHORTAGE PLANTING OF HOME GARDENS IMPORTANT. POSSIBILITY OF RATIONING. “The seriousness of the potato situation cannot be over-emphasised,” Mr R. W. Kebbell, chairman of the Wairarapa Primary Production Council, stated this morning. . At a meeting of the Council yesterday,” he stated, a request was received from the Food Controller that 500 acres of potatoes should be planted in the Wairarapa this season. It was pointed out that, owing to the bad weather, only about 100 acres, or onefifth of the quota, had been planted. As the present month was still available for planting, it was of the utmost importance that at least another 400 acres should be planted. Mr Kebbell suggested that farmers who had been unable to sow wheat on account of the continued wet weather could perhaps switch over to potatoes. Mr R. W. Brewerton, of the Wairarapa Grain and Seed Merchants’ Association, said that plantings by small small home gardeners were about a quarter of those of last year. The same thing applied in other areas, and from figures in hand it appeared that the present potato acreage was possibly sufficient to provide for only half of New Zealand’s civilian requirements, quite apart from supplies for the armed forces.

Mr Kebbell said the Primary Production Council was greatly concerned. If the people did not take the remedy into their own hands and plant potatoes, it was probable that there would be yet another rationed item. The meeting decided to call the attention of the public to the seriousness of the situation. Mr Kebbell said the public seemed to be apathetic in the matter.

It was reported that the council was planting Douglas Park in potatoes, and volunteer helpers were needed. Any labour, including that of senior school children, would be appreciated for this national work.