GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET'S.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14475, 2 October 1912, Page 11

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET'S.

(by our commerciai. editor.) Tuesday Evening. The report that the rates of freight on wheat and oats to the United Kingdom sire going to be increased from 25s to 30s per ton has come as a surprise to exporters, who have been able to do little shipping business this season not only on account of want of space but the 25s freight did not admit of the export of wheat. So far as wheat is concerned, however, the increased freight will make very little difference, in fact it is considered rather a good thing than otherwise as it will keep the wheat in tho country and prevent a shortage next year should thc new crop bo as limited in area as is believed. The increase of 5s per ton will make a difference of a penny per bushel in the ease of oats and growers will thus not be able to take advantage of the rise in the market at Home. Tho reason given for the increase in the grain freights is that the wool season is coming on and the freights from Australia for grain are higher than those from New Zealand, being 32 s 9d to 35s per ton, and it is further stated that there is a probability of the rates being increased to 40s per ton. The reason for thc shortage of spaco for New Zealand grain is that steamers havo been going across to Australia to load for Homo ports at the higher rates of freight. Tho local grain market is again very quiot. A small quantity of grain is

being shipped by the Conn tine, but this is going out of store. There aro no offerings from farmers, and in the absence of an outlet there is practically no enquiry. The potato market is also dull, and though the price is nominally £6 per ton there Is no demand at this figure, and it is reported that sales have been made at £5 10s at country stations. The undermentioned are the prices paid to farmers at country stations, free of commission, except where otherwise stated: — Wheat (nominal) —3s 5d to 3s 6d, Pearl 3s 6d. fowl wheat 3s to 3s (Id. at country stations. Barley (nominal) —Prime malting 4s 4d to 4s Gd, extra prime to 4s 9d, at country stations. Oats" (nominal; —Gartons 2s to 2s Id. Duns 2s. Danish (nominal) 2s at country stations. Cocksfoot—Peninsula seed 3d to 4_d. Flour— £8 10s per ton. 1001b bags £8 los, ..01b bags £9. 2511) bags £9 os. Bran—£4 15s (local), £4 10s, f.0.b., per ton. Pollard—£G per ton. Oatmeal—£l4 per ton. New Oatsheaf ' Chaff—£2 10s. at country stations. Potatoes—Up-to-dates and Dcrwent (nominal) £6 10s, seed rp-to-Dates £3 at country stations. Peas—Partridge 3s to 3s 3d, Prussian Blues 5s to 5s 6.1. AVhito Ivories 3s 9d to 4s, at country stations. Beans—3s, at country stations.