THE POTATO BLIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2577, 11 August 1909, Page 5

THE POTATO BLIGHT.

CABLE NEWS. :

’ PROHIBITING TASMANIAN POTATOES. CAUSES FAMINE PRICES. United Press Association—Copyright HOBART, Atigust 10. It is stated that £15,000 worth of potatoes are held up by the action of New South Wales. PERTH, August 10.

Famine prices are predicted hero for potatoes, as 75 per cent, of ths supply is imported from Tasmania. MELBOURNE, August 10.

Under the Victorian Act three weeks’ notice must be given before Tasmanian potatoes can be prohibited. Notice wijl be issued immediately. (Received August 10, 9 p.m.) ’ SYDNEY, August 10.

The price of potatoes has advanced another 10s. Importers contend that tho proposed prohibition is too late, so fau as preventing the spread of the disease is concerned, as already hundreds of tons of Tasmanian potatoes have been planted in this State. Tho planting season for them is practically over.

MR, KIRK. TO VISIT TASMANIA

(Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, August 10. Mr. T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, leaves for Tasmania to-morrow to give expert advice to the Government of that State concerning the outbreak of potato blight there.

THE EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND, August 10. The prevalence of blight in the potato crop in Tasmania is not likely, according to the result of inquiries made to-day, to affect tho price of the indispensable tuber so far as New Zealand is concerned. During the three previous seasons a large quantity of Tasmanian potatoes have found their way to Auckland, but during the’ present season only, some 2000 sacks have been imported from that State. The southern crop has been a heavy one this year, and has enabled the northern market to be kept well supplied, and one of the principal dealers states that the southern supplies will be quite sufficient to meet the requirements of northern consumers until the new season’s crop is available.