MAIZE SHORTAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 23, 28 January 1939, Page 5

MAIZE SHORTAGE.

IMPORTS FROM JAVA.

POSITION IN GISBORNE

RAIN HELPS CROPS

(By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.")

GISBORXE, Friday. The market for maize in Gisborne is . . er J* firtn ,at 5/3 a bushel, f.0.b., but practically all remaining stocks have been sold for January and February delivery, resulting in a shortage for prompt delivery. The demand is fairly strong, due to the <high prices asked for remaining supplies of old season's fowl wheat. I J' r6Sent aPPcars fhat there is barely suihcient maize in the district to cater f°r. demand until the new season's grain comes on to the market, and as the Interna] Marketing Board indicated that it intends to protect the consumer beyond 5/3 per bushel, f.0.b., Gisborne, it is understood that negotiations have taken place with a view to securing sufficient supplies from Java to take care of the demand during the late autumn in consuming centres.

Stocks of maize are reported in Auckland to be low and prices advanced to 13/1 per 1001b and crushed to 14/8. The action of Giaborne growers, however, has no effect upon that increase, for they carried out their part of the bargain by disposing of their stocks at the level laid down far the Internal Marketing Board.

New crop* in the district are still backward, but rain during the weok has done a great deal to make good the setbacks caused during the early .part of the season. Rain has been sufficient and in time to raise the yield considerably. Without rain there would have been a decline in yield, and many crops would have been fit only for feeding to stock. Ryegrass Market. No quotations are available yet for ryegrass seed. Although threshing commenced about three weeks ago only a comparatively small quantity of seed has been received in Gieborne. The bulk of the seed will not come on to the market until early next month. Although it is difficult to form any estimate of the losses as the result of ihigh winds, it is obvious the yield must be affected to some extent m a result of the battering stacks and cooks received. Little interest has been displayed as yet by buyers for the new crop, a cautious attitude apparently being adopted.