GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

THE POTATO TRADE. LOST OPPORTUNITIES. TASMANIA". CHAFF POPULAR. The potato market is easier, both Tor prompt and forward shipment, and it 1* now very doubtru] whether runner extensive business will be done with Australia tills season. Writing; on Friday, the Christchurch Press " says: "Tho Karetu is now scheduled to leave lor Australia on tho 21st inst., a week inter than originally stated. Australian business is slack until the vessel g-ets away. The Svdm-y price, though reported to be scarcely so ilrm encourag-es this belief that some business win ta_c place :n October. Whether it does or not, the Australian outlet this season is a record or lost opportunities. The small shipments that have gone and the one pending; are only a circumstance or what should have taken place. Insufficient and irregular shipping- is tho main cause or this, but a marg-in nr a few shilling, a ton between buyer and seller was another important cause. Had this marg-in been got i-id or a couple or months ag-o, it is probablo that another rorty or fifty thousand sacks could have been trot away without affecting- Sydney values In ihe slightest—a quantity that would have ensured a reduction of New Zealand supplies to an extent that would have guaranteed a sound end-or-season demand and the absorption or nil the stocks in the Dominion. Just what, supplies are now available Is a matter or g.iesswork, opinions being- a g-ooci deal at variance over the question. IT Sydney does come ag_in, a firming- up is assured, and merchants' Ideas are g-uided in the meantime by this possibility." Locally there arc ample supplies available until a rurther shipment arrives at the end or the week. At this time or the year merchants will not stock up on potatoes, as they are difficult to hold in sound condition. Apart, therefore, from the matter of price fluctuations, a conservative policy Is necessary. Seed Potatoes.—A rair demand 13 still being- experienced ror seed lines, and ' several varieties are now ln short supply. Stocks or Gamekeeper. Northern Star, Arran Chler and Maori Chier are still available ror immediate planting-. Onion*. There has been no change in tho onion market since last report. The Canadians ex the Niag-ara opened up well, and their condition warranted higher prices than are obtainable ror Japanese, some or which are growing- freely. Fresh supplies are due by the Aorang-i on her next trip. Oats. Contrary to expectations, this market has again advanced, but so Tar as grade lines are concerned it ls purely a speculative market. In the South it is sug--g-e.ted in some quarters that owing- to I ihe poor autumn sowing: oat_ may be a good line to carry over. Garten seed ls j required ror spring sowing, and thero are j no. Garton seed oats In Canterbury. In ! tho feed lines required tor local needs tho market ls unaltered, and supplies aro ! plentiful. ! Seed Oats. —A demand is still beingexperienced ror late planting, and there aro ample supplies of double machine dressed Algerian seed available. Maize. This market shows no signs or easing Immediately. Only small quantities are coming Tor ward, and It is reported that Glsborne merchants who made forward sales have lost heavily In endeavouring to tuitu their commitments. For further deliveries from that source much higher pi-ices are being asked. The delay iv the arrival or the South African shipment has also tended to Ilrm tho market, and It is now doubtful whether It will arrive- by October 12, tho date last indicated. Tho lirst shipment of Australian seed maize recently came to hand per the Waitomo, but the 00 days' variety was not ready to ship when tho vessel lert, and l_ to come forward by the Kaitangaia, now loading- at Melbourne. The season's requiremens are, or course, on the steamer from South Africa, and the Australian purchases have been made to flu the gap caused by the delay in its arrival. Chaff. The Waitomo ls now discharging a further shipment of Tasmanian chair, and the Kaltangata, now loading, ls bringing forward further supplies. As already indicated, prices in Tasmania have advanced, and offers have been made to N.Z. buyers lo repurchase some of the quantities already on order. Fowl Wheat. This market remains firm, and Southern prices have rurther advanced, whilst Australian values aro unchanged. Poultry reeders are complaining or the high prices, and an endeavour is being made to Induce tho Government to temporarily remove tho duty on Australian wheat. The quotation for wheat in Sydney is now 6/ f.0.b., s i and, with duty added, freight, etc., the cost to land in New Zealand would be round about 8/ per bushel. Fertilisers. Manufacturers and merchants report a steady but slightly reduced demand this I last week. Any slackening off is due to | tne changeable weather conditions the I showery weather preventing farmers rrom 1 cultivating the land and preparing for | crops, and also having a bad effect gener- : ally on the roads. The cold, wet weather ln addition to delaying cropping operations, is also checking the spring growth It Is hoped conditions will improve as the season is getting on. With settled line weather there would be a good stron_ demand for ail fertiliser lines, and farmers would be busy. Fertiliser prices continue steady at, lato rates. Local sun er manufacturers are in a position to meet j the demand, and it ls not anticipated there will he any shortage. As regards other lines, ample stocks are held to meet expected requirements. Retail Cash Rates. £ s. d High-grade super, 44/46 .. 5 jo 6 Basic super 5 o _ Nauru phosphate (unely ground) 5 2 6 Bonedust (Calcutta) 12 0 0 Blood and bone ___..."" _q 5 n Basic slag 5 0 0 Ephos basic phosphate _. 6 " 6 Seychelle guano , -, c Nitrate or soda ,"00 0 0 Sulphate or ammonia ."20 0 0 Sulphate or potash "" 16 0 n Potash, 30 per cent "* _ 10 Jj W_ole._T. Current Prices. Flour.—_lQ 15/ per ton.. less <H ncr 1 cent discount for _oul_ sacks or both local and Southern. Jocai L.. n ._. 3 and Bra »-—Australian pollard £11 10/ per ton. Local .uarps, f.lO 10/ per ton; bran, £9 10/ per ton; oat pollard £S 10/ per ton. !««<_>_, Grain.—New Zealand oats.- Feed B Gar ton, 5/3 bushel: N.Z. Algerian seed 61 Australian 6/ per bushel. Maize: New I Zealand, 7/3 per bushel. Wheat: New I Zealand, 9/3 per bushel; Australian, 9/3 per bushel. Barley: Feed, 6/3 per bushel--1 Cape, seed, 7/ per bushel; maizemeai, 14/6 per 1001b: barleymeal, 14/0 per 1001b Chaff.—Blenheim, £10 10/ per ton- local £9 10/ per ton; Tasmanian, £9 17/6 per ■ ton, ex arrivals. Onions. —Japanese, 25/ a crate; Canadian, 30/. Potatoes. —Spot'stocks, whites £11, red £10. Peas.—Blue Prussian, 10/ per bushel; partridge, 7/9 per bushel. Baled Straw.—Wheaten, £4 10/ to £4 15/; oaten and barley, £3 10/ to £4, on trucks.