GROWERS RESENTFUL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20918, 25 September 1939, Page 6

GROWERS RESENTFUL

CANADIAN POTATOES DOMINION PRODUCE UNSOLD LOCAL PRICE FORCED DOWN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Strong feeling has been aroused among Canterbury potato growers by the action of the Government in allowing Canadian imports to be sold in the South Island. There is a strong movement on foot to declare black the merchants who are handling the shipment locally, and it is understood the Farmers’ Union will be asked to stand by the local growers. One prominent grower said this morning that contrary to general belief there were hundreds of tons still available in Canterbury, mostly held in small quantities by small growers. This was the class which suffered most from the disastrous glut last season. A merchant said it was estimated that at least 1000 tons of potatoes remained to be sold in Canterbury. The Canadian imports had forced the price for local potatoes back from £l7 to £l3 a ton and made the growers suffer in consequence. Canadian potatoes are selling at a price equivalent to a cost of £2l a ton to the buyer. New Zealand potatoes, it is pointed out, never reached this figure this season.