MUCH BETTER TONE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 4

MUCH BETTER TONE.

CANTERBURY PRODUCE.

SHARP ADVANCE IN OATS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday,

There has been a much better tone in the grain and produce market during the week, potatoes being the only major section of produce that has not met with an improvement. A grade Garton oats have advanced sharply in price, the improvement within the last few days being fully 4/ a bushel. The causes are general. Some sellers have been on the market covering, but the crop in Southland is likely to be largely second grade on account of the exceptionally wet season, which also has delayed threshing. Canterbury A grade Gartons that have been threshed have practically all been marketed, and it is possible that A grade will be wanted from Southland for seed. A factor in the position also is that Canterbury farmers, on account of the failure of the turnip crop, are compelled to hold their sheaf stacks for stock feed. Quotations to-day are firm at 2/6, f.0.b., s.i., with very few offering. This is the first movement in the oats market for some time. B grade Gartons have not participated to any extent in the rise. A fair supply of these will be available later in the bouth. Values are 1/4 to 1/6 to farmers. Algerian oats are quoted at 1/4 to l/o on trucks. *"A rather interesting development is the shipment next week of about 3000 sacks of A grade Gartons from Southland to the United Kingdom. This sale was effected some time ago when the outlook for a local market was practically hopeless.

Chaff is not being inquired for to much extent. So far quotations are £3 to £3 5/ y f.0.b., si.

Potatoes, which firmed up during the recent maritime trouble, have eased. The rush of supplies to Auckland has exceeded the demand and the position there at the moment is weak. Two boats leaving this week are taking approximately 8000 sacks between them. Inquiries have declined and quotations for May are £2 15/ and for June £3 on trucks, or £3 15/ and £4 4/, f.0.b., s.i. A shipment of 7000 tons of potatoes is being made to South America next week, and this has had no effect on the market, and it has not been possible to repeat the business. Even with this shipment concluded, fewer potatcss h.~.ve left Lyttelton this season than for the corresponding period of 1932.

Partridge peas have firmed as a result of a substantial jump in prices in England. A fair amount of business has been done at 4/9 to 5/, f.0.b., s.i., or 4/ to 4/3 a bushel on trucks. There has been a good crop of peas this season, and, as most of them are still in farmers' hands, growert will secure the benefit of the rise.

I Fowl wheat is firm at 3/3, f.0.b., s.i. The demand is steady, but not much wheat Mr offering.