The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1909. TASAIANIAN POTATOES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2586, 21 August 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1909. TASAIANIAN POTATOES.

The statement of Air. T. W. Ivirk, Government biologist, in regard to the Tasmanian potato crop must remove any doubts that may have existed as to the nature of the disease which has affected the tubers. Air. - Kirk’s opinion, that it i.s the Irish bjight, confirms that previously expressed by Air. Al. Alpine, the Victorian expert. The 'position is a very serious one for Tasmania, for the smallest of the Australian States produces more potatoes than any other State, and is a verylarge exporter. Last year the output was 38,640 tons, valued at £436,000, of which Australia probably took £250,000 worth. For the present season at least this trade is absolutely ruined, for all the other States have prohibited Tasmanian importations. They have been forced to do this in the interests of their own growers, for Irish blight is highly contagious, and unless drastic steps were taken, would quickly spread from one State to another. , Unfortunately, the trouble will probably not cease with the present season, however heavy the loss may be. Despite the utmost care, it is practically certain that a proportion of next year’s seed will be diseased, unless it is all obtained from outside sources. One of the greatest difficulties of dealing with the Irish blight is the fact that the fungus can remain quiescent on its host, doing no apparent injury to the tuber for a lengthy period, and subsequently, under more favorable conditions, become active. In other words, potatoes apparently sound may bo the medium of carrying on the disease from one season to the‘ next. Whilst sympathising with the Tasmanian farmers, we naturally note that what is their loss'will probably prove to the gain of those in the Dominion. Our own crop seems likely to be an excellent one, and not will our farmers be freed from outside competition, but they inay be able to export to Australia. At the present time the New Zealand Government is communicating with the Governments of the Australian States with a view to the duty on New Zealand potatoes being .removed during the continuance of tlie prohibition of the importation of those from Tasmania. The latest phase of the negotiations was a reply from the Federal Premier to the effect that tlie suggestion would bo favorably considered, provided New Zealand consignments obtained Government certificates before leaving the Dominion, and were re-submitted for inspection at the port of entry. This is only a reasonable stipulation, and will probably be agreed to.