TRADE WITH SAMOA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17702, 2 March 1923, Page 8

TRADE WITH SAMOA.

(gPTBCTAT. TO "TH-E PBSSS.") AUCKLAND, March 1. The question of New Zealand's interest in Samoa and in trade there was mentioned at tie Auckland' Chamber of Commerce luncheon this afternoon, at which Brigadier-General Richardson, the new Governor of the New Zealand protectorate of Samoa ; as well as Mr J D. Gray and Mr >elaon, president and vice-president of the S-.moan Chamber of Commerce, were guests of the local body. Mr Gray said the question had been asked why Australia was managing to get so much of the Samoan trade. The explanation was that the Commonwealth had five or six commercial travellers in Samoa every mouth, while there were only two representatives from New Zealand, and represented two Auckland houses. He thought if that position were it would show why Australia was getting the business Brigadier-General Richardson said the future of Samoa rested very largely upon its commercial development, and he appealed to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to take an interest in the matter, as Samoa was an integral part of New Zealand. This Dominion was suffering as a result of the war, but he felt sure that a time of projperity was now coming. He predicted that in 50 years Auckland would have a population of a million, and would be one of the most wonderful cities of the Southern Pacific, as well as a great eom- ' mercial centre. He said he was going to Samoa as a civilian, representing the King, representing New Zealand, and representing the people here. Tae commercial interests of Samoa would have his first consideration, as well as the welfare of the people there, and he would do his best to uphold the prestige of New Zealand. AUCKLAND MARKETS. (SPECIAL TO "THE FBZSS.") AUCiLAA'JJ, March 1. An improvement is reported both in wholesale and retail turnovers this week. The iniormauon that most of the retail drapery houses are terminating their special autumn clearing sa±es at the end of the present week, is responsible tor renewed activity, and sajes have been remarkably heavy. Drastic reductions are marked on gocds this week in An endeavour to quit summer lines, and as the weather has been warmer, these offerings have found a good response. Next week will see the opening up of the winter goods, and the windows will bo a souce of much attraction in an endeavour to ascertain what I will be worn this season. Sugar—Deliveries show an improvement this week, although orders are still in arrear. The firai nature, with an advancing tendency, of costs in the producing centres, removes the possibility of lower prices. Hardware—Conditions in this trade are very good. Many lines are hard to pick up locally. Building continues to develop, both in business and home requirements. Fencing wire and corrugated iron locally are being subjected to keen competition, but producers' quotations are firming. Butter—Following upon the improved prices ruling for butter on the, London market, the price locally has been advanced one penny per pound all round. Judging by the outlook regarding the position of the market for bntter in London, a further advance in price locally is by no means improbable. The present wholesale prices for butter in Auckland 'is- Is Bjd per lb net for superfine. Is Sd for first grade, and Is 7d for second grade. Eggs—Supplies are so short that a (further advance in price take 3 place to-day, 2s 2d per dozen wholesale being the quotation, and 2s id retail. Bacon and hams—Owing to the export of bacon and hams, supplies are still short on the local market. There is talk of a branch of an Australian bacon curing firm being opened in Auckland; in fact, representatives are over here at the present time. It is recognised that the bacon curing business is capable of big development in New Zealand, especially if a good market is opened for export to Great Britain. Potatoes—Although smaller quantities have come to hand, supplies are quite equal to requirements. Best quality are worth £6 10s per ton, ex store. Onions—The market is a little firmer owing to business being done with America. Local are quoted at 9s 6d to 9s per cwt. Maize—Arrivals, though ample, are not in excess of requirements. The quotation is Sa per busheL \ Oats—A grade 4s lOd to 5s per bushel ex store; Algerian seed oats 6s. Chaff—Supplies from Blenheim have arrived recently, the quotation for best being £ll. Wholesale current prices are: Superfine creamery butter, Is Bjd per lb for prompt cash, first grade Is Bd. eecond grade Is 7d, farmers separator Is 3d per lb, first grade factory cheese, medium size lCd to Is per lb; hams, lOd to Is per lb; bacon, lOd per lb net; lard, in bulk 85d, pats 9d; honey, BJd to 9§d; -eggs, 2s 2d per dozen; flour, £ll 5s (less discount of 2$ per cent, per ton in 2COlb sacks); sharps £9 10s, bran, £6 10s; oatmeal (25's) £25 per ton. SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (SPECIAL TO "THE FBEBS.") IJfVERCARGILL, March 1. The extremely unfavourable weather during the week had a depressing effect on the grain market, but no doubt if the present fine conditions continue, business will brighten considerably. Consignments of etone fruits have been very liglit. Tomatoes have been in short supply, and prices are consequently firmer. Blackberries have come to hand freely. Freestone peaches and nectarines are in full supply, and commanding good prices. Oranges and lemons are available at prices in buyers' favour. Bananas are arriving next week, and should meet a favourable market. Hothouse grapes are coming to hand more freely, and prices are a little ea?ier. Current prices are—Peaches 2id to 4id per lb; nectarines 3d to sd; plums, dessert 3ki, co~king 2Jd, greengages to 4Jd; apples, cessert 10s 6d per case, cooking 2d to 2Jd per .b; pears, dessert 3d, cooking 2Jd; oranges 35s per case; lemons 45s per case; grapes to Is 9d per lb; tomatoes, dessert 3Jd to 4id per lb, outside to 3d. ' Oats—Cutting is now fairly general in the country, and prospects «' for a well-saved harvest look much brighter after two more days of sunshine. Practically no grain is now offering from farmers, and business is confined purely to between merchants. There has been rather more enquiry daring the la?t w«k or two from Australia, but verv little business has resulted, as local prices have been higher than for Tasmanian oats. The demand from the North Island is not very strong. Chaff—There has been a good demand for prime chaff, but there is not a great deal ! available. Dark aEd weedy samples are hard to sell. Prinie is worth up to £4 on trucks, but average quality would onlv brine from £3 10s to £j 15s. ' ° Eye grass—A good many samples have now been threshed, and the yields have in moat instances been disappointing. The average is from 25 to 30 bushels per acre. As a result of the very wet weather during the harvest, many samples are rather dark in colour, but appear quite sound, and probably germination is unaffected. Purchases have been made at from 4s to 4s 6d for immediate delivery, the latter being for a particularly nice sample. One or two very nice samples of Italian ryegrass have been offer-1 ing, and for one very ciean iine is 9d was j offered. • Wheat—The harvesting of the wheat crop will be general in the course o. a few days, aid there are some- very good crops, especially near Centre Bosh. Nothing is doing in nulling wheat now, but good whole fowl wheat is in good demand at ia£t quotations. Hemp—There is a good demand for hemp, both for local consumption and shipment to London. The market is more active than for . some time past, but owing to the absence j of supplies merchants are unable to quote, i Sales of good fair could be made on the j basis of £29 per ton on trucks for use by j local twine manufacturers. It is a pity that more is not infused into the manu- ) faeturo of hemp, as the outlook appear; to ■ be improving, particularly in the United > Kingdom. | Cheese—After a week or two of quiet, the, ; cheese market has again bf.en - fairly active, . and purchases have been made for early | shipment up to lCd per lb f.0.b., Bluff, j whi'.et one or two factories have eold the balance at 9Jd per lb. This is more than : most people anticipated, jnd should give I J a very fair xetum to dairymen for the i ■canon.