BUTTER EASIER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18344, 30 March 1925, Page 8

BUTTER EASIER.

APPLE PROSPECTS GOOD. BRITISH TRADE REVIEW. (BY CAULS— PEtSS ASSOCIATION— COPTBIOHT.) (ATJSTBALIAH AJID K.2. CABLE ASSOCUTIOH.) (Received March 29th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. The Stock Exchange remains under a cloud. All the markets ara suffering from hesitation and uncertainty, and business has been on a small scale in almost everj' department. According to one authority, this state of affairs is mainly due to "adverse monetary conditions, uncertainties attaching to the impending Budget, and qualms of uneasiness regarding the effect of th'i of the gold standard/' Another disquieting element has been the unexpected issue of a thirty millions 3-J per cent, conversion loan, which sent all British gilt-edged securities down sharply. It is satisfactory to note that the only stocks which withstood this shock were the Colonial Government group, which remain quite steady.

"The trade situation can best be described as stagnant," says the "Economist," in its monthly summary of the state of trade at home and abroad. "General indications confirm the view that there is no actual set-back to trade. The numbers in receipt of Poor Law relief are much less than they were a year ago, and wages remain about stationary. Bank advances to industry are still tending to increase. Note circulation is high, and business has been comparatively free from trade disputes. • "Conditions outside Europe suggest that the present stagnation is only temporary. Australia, India, South America, Canada, and even China, all report a. greater or less measure of improvement, and the prosperity of these countries must ultimately reflect itself in better trade here."

The Apple Season. The Australian apple season opens here next week with the marketing of the Mooltan's consignment. Importer? are decidedly optimistic regarding the outlook, as supplies of American apples have been clearing well, and the demand both here and on the Continent is very strong. American Winesaps and Cleopatras have been realising up to 17s per case, and if buyers were willing to pay this price for these, which .wifrc picked at least five months ago, they should give high prices for new Australian Jonathans and Cleopatras:- Everything, of course, depends on the condition and quality of Australian'-'fruit.- Provided these are satisfactory, there is every reason to anticipate good prices. , Some peopjo are already predicting very high prices for early arrivals, but the best informed men in the trade express the hope that values will not be forced too high at the start. Experience has proved that -moderate prices at the beginning of the -season are best, for if early prices are excessive, consumption is checked, and a slump comes, when a large quantity of fruit arrives, especially when, as is frequently, the ease, three or four cargoes come: simultaneously.

' . -, The Bntfeer Market. The butter market is experiencing the usual seasonal decline in prices, Colonial gradually easing. Thia ia largely duo to the lessening demand from Continental countries as their production increases. Holland especially is prodncing largely, and Germany is taking large quantities of Dutch, and less Danish, with the result that tha latter declined about 8s this week."',

The consumptive demand in Great Britain continues good, but is regarded as hardly sufficient to maintain the prices of Colonial butter at the present level,, arid a further: d.ecline is not unlikely when the Continental countries begin . shipping butter instead of buying it.

WAIMATE MARKET. The reduction announced during the week in wheat prices is not very encouraging to growers. Millers will not obtain much at the reduced prices. In fact/ they hardly expect it, as a number,are operating at the old prices, 6s 9d,' 6s lid; 78 Id f.o.b. Oate—Heavy Gortona are firm, and: a good demand Light Gortons are required for feed purpose*. Algerians -are neglected. Good heavy Duns are enquired for at 4e net. on trucks. Potatoesr-The crops are turning; out -well, and eonre good yields are reported. The value has receded and sales have been made at £5 2s 6d f.0.b., equal to £4. Sa on trucks. Consignmente to Auckland' by the last steamer had to'face a slump in Auckland and 'returns will net growers about £S Feas—A number of samples has been on offer, but merchants are not interested. Tb« nominal value, for No. 1 is 5a on trucks. Linseed—The market is easier. To-day's value is about £lB 10s on trucks. Quotations are:—Barley: Chevalier ss; chaff, Good, bright £4 ss; oats: Garten, heavy 4s to 4a 3d. light 3s to 3s 6d; Algerians 2s 6d to 2s 9d; Duns, good dark 4s; jwbe*b: Tuscan 6s 3d, Hunters £s sd, "Pearl 6s 7d f.0.b.; potatoes: £3 IBs per ton; Partridge peas: 5e per bushel for No. 1- linseed: £lB 10s per ton; cocksfoot: id per lb; white clover: Is; cowgraes: 8d to lOd.

PRICES OF FAT STOCK FOR EXPORT. The New Zealand Meat Producers* Board advises that the following prices are being offered March 26th:— Hawke's Bay—Wethers, 56-under, 8d; prime woolly lambs, 42-under, n&d, 43-over 10|d; 6econd quality lambs, IOJd. Wellington—Wethers, 56-under, SJd; prime woolly lambs, 42-under 12d, 43-over lljd; second quality lambs, Hid. Canterbury and North Otagc—Prune woolly lambs, 36-under 12Jd, 87-42161 lljd, 43-over lid; second quality lambs, lljd.

THE POULTRY MARKET. The Canterbury Co-op. Poultry Producers, Ltd., report that a large entry of poultry came forward for last week's sales. Tie demand was good for primo birds. Following are prices per pair:-Tabl* chickens *««IJ» 7s 6d to 118, table chickens (light), 8s 6d to 7s 6d, hens heavy 3a 6d to 6s 6d, hens flight) 2s to 3s 6d, ducks (heavy) 6s 6d to 9s B 6d, ducks flight) 4s to 6s 6d, geese 7s to 8s 6d, turkeys 16s to 355.

Egg Market. The supply of eggs is still decreasing, and another rise in valnes has been recordea. m Canterbury Co-op. Poultry Producers, Ltd., quote the following prices per dozen: First grade hen eggs 2s 6d, second grade hen eggs 2s sd, duck eggs 2s 6d, pullets' eggs 23 2d. The Easter sales of poultry are to be- he'd on April Ist, 4th, and Bth. Our clients are requested to send eupplies in for the early sales.

THE PROPERTY MARKET. Jones, McCrostie Company, x.td., in conjunction with Messrs Hillary and Baxter, sold by public auction, on Saturday, on account of Mr Cooper, tbo property situate No. 66 Montreal street, Sydenham, comprising' square house of 4 rooms, and section of 37 perches, for £7OO, to Mrs E. Quine. ASHBURTON HORSE FAIR. There was a, good entry at the Aahborton horse fair held on Friday, when the prices realised were aa follows:—Draughts: GeldfngsTSjTS, £37 10s, £34, £39 10s, 7yr9 £33, £37 &ttb £27. Mares: 6yrs £SB, Byra £l4, ±'l6 £55, 9(yra £22, £9 10s. Hack and harness horses: Ponios, 3yrs, £l3 10s, 7yre £9 10s, Byrs £9.