CHRISTCHURCH MARKET REPORT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9498, 23 April 1921, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH MARKET REPORT.

Tlie milling wheat situation is still unsatisfactory. Farmers are coming m m a continual stream asking to be placed, but there is no improvement m the demand. A scheme for the easement of the position has been brought before a committee representative of the brokers by the- Government Wheat Controller, and has now to go before the millers for consideration. If it can be' carried out, the farming interests should be greatly assisted. The scheme for dealing with the seed wheat, according to merchants, is rather unsatisfactory as now presented. Apparently the only improvement upon last year's wheat regulations is provision for permitting brokers to make a charge for handling and storage. " That is going to be no inducement to us to purchase," said one broker. "Last year many of us refused to deal m seed wheat, as we so often lost on it. The present scheme seems merely to cover our expenses. There will be no profit, and it is not likely that we are going to take up 300,000 bushels on that basis." A certain quantity will be absorbed, however, as orders are coming m pretty freely at present, and will continue so during the next month or so. Another broker sounded an optimistic note, stating that he expected an improved scheme to develop out of the present one Practically nothing has been doing m oats. The farmers are not offering tiny more freely, and any demand is satisfied out of carried-over stocks. Seed orders are short, as it is now the tail-end of the autumn season, and business doing is of a hand-to-mouth nature. A fair quantity of Partridge peas were offering during the week, nowever, the bulk being of the best quality. Prices declined to from 4s 6d to 4s 9d, m view of the fall m prices on the London market. Blue peas and Ivory peas are almost unsaleable. There is no outside inquiry. Values are nominally 3s 6d to 4s, but the lines will not bear emoting. Large quantities of linseed have been coming forward, and the demand has fallen off 1 somewhat. Prices, however, are still m the neighbourhood of £8. Only enough potatoes for requirements are offering. Prices remain the same. The price of onions is unchanged. A ; fair quantity has been offering during the week, but vt.y little business has been done. Chaff remains :.bout the same. Many farmers will no* accept the market rates, and are holding their stocks m anticipation of Higher prices later m the winter * The following are quotations for produce, to be paid to farmers, at country stations, free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated: Milling Wheat — According to Government prices: Tuscan 7s 6d f.0.b., I Hunters 7s 9d, Pearl Bs. 1 Oats— Gartons Is lid to 2s lei, Algerians Is 6d to Is 7d. Chaff— £2 15s to £3. j Perennial Eyegrass — 2s 6d to 3s 2d. j Italian Ryegrass — 2s 6d to 3s. Cocksfoot — 4d to od. Barley— 3s 6d to. 4s. ' Potatoes— £3 10s. Onions— £2 10s. Peas — Partridge 4s to 4s 3d. Linseed — £8. Flour — According to Government price, £21 per ton, f.0.b., Lyttelton, Timaru, and Oamaru. B ran — According to Government price, £6 to £6 10s per ton, according 7 to, packing, f.0.b., southern ports. . Pollard — According to Government price, £9 to £9 10s, according to packing, f.0.b., southern ports.