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The Nelson Photo News

 

10

Forum and Aginum

Potato Prices

"I was reading the advertisements in a Christchurch newspaper recently and noticed the great difference in prices being charged for potatoes in Christchurch and Nelson," writes "Spudatoe". "In Christchurch a sugarbag of potatoes was advertised at prices as low as 80c, and the highest price I could find was $ 1-20. Here in Nelson, I have seen Canterbury potatoes advertised at $1-70 a sugarbag and higher, and even our local potatoes cost at least $1-50 and sometimes $1-60. Why this great disparity in price? Two years ago potatoes (local) were selling at up to $1-00 a sugarbag. Then last year, an induced shortage saw prices shoot up to as high as $3-00. They've come down from that, but they're still at least 50% higher than they were two years ago. And while on the subject of prices, why do we pay more for spirits such as whisky in Nelson? Prices in other centres are cheaper."

(We made some inquiries following the receipt of this letter and find, "Spudatoe", that while you have most of your facts right, there are good reasons for the price rise of potatoes. The "odd" bag of potatoes in Christchurch might sell as low as 80c, but if a purchaser was to buy in bulk, the price would be higher, since a Potato Board levy would have to be paid as would the cost of bags and freight to Nelson. Although local potatoes cost $1-50 (or slightly more), the return to the grower is not particularly high when his seed costs, sowing and fertiliser costs, harvesting, and freight costs are considered. The produce market adds its mark-up before the potatoes reach the retailer. True, two years ago potatoes were $1 a bag and cheaper, but this was an uneconomic price and many acres of potatoes, we have been told, were ploughed in or used as stock food. As for whisky prices, we are informed there is no price difference).

An Apology

In our last issue, we stated in a caption for the "Green and Gold Ball" that Edison Schwenke was with his father, Michael. Edison's proper name is Edison Peterika, son of Makarita Peterika. He was sitting on the knee of Mika Schwenke. We apologise to both Mrs Peterika and Mr Schwenke for any embarrassment that may have been caused by our error.