OVERSEAS TRADE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23319, 3 May 1941, Page 3

OVERSEAS TRADE

THREE MONTHLY FIGURES COMPARISON WITH PRECEDING . YEARS . ,p.A.) WELLINGTON, May2. The following are the oversea trade figures.excluding specie, for New Zealand for March, 1941 (in New Zealand cur--1941 1940. ’£ £ Exports .. .. 6,408.000 7,265,000 Imports .. .. 3,934,000 2.728,000 Excess of exports .. 2,474,000 4,537,000 For the three months ended March 31 the figures were:—Exports. £19,139,000; imports, £8,979,000-rexcess of exports £10,160,000, and 1 for the corresponding period in 1940 £21,700,000 and £10,058,000 respectively—excess of exports £11,642,000. In the three months ended March. 1939, exports were £20,066,000, imports £13,874,000, and the excess £6,182,000. In the 12 months ended March, 1941. exports totalled £71,180,000 and Imports £47,918,000, the excess of exports being £23,262,000, whereas for the corresponding period in the previous year the export figures' were £59,643,000, imports £45,571,000, tand the excess of exports £14,072,000. For the 12 months ended March, 1939, exports were £57,867.000, imports £54.409,000, the export excess being £3,458,000. ' GRAIN AND PRODUCE TRADE AT PRESENT DULL, The grain and produce markets are very quiet at present, with local trade dull after a fairly active season. The possibilities of export are regarded as not altogether unfavourable, though shipments will probably be made slowly as, opportunity occurs. Offerings of seed from the country are now light, and it appears that the bulk of this season’s crops have been cleared from farmers’ hands. The increment earlier in the week attracted some wheat to the market, but reports indicate that there is little wheat left in the country. The market for fescue has improved a little.

Browntop was very short in Canterbury this year, and the value at present is about 2s for machine-dressed seed.

It appears that the bulk of the red clover has been cleared up. The crop promised well early in the season, but after the break in the weather quality and deliveries fell off. A good deal of lucerne seed was saved this year, and offerings were fairly liberal. The value is about Is 3d to Is 6d per lb. The following are prices to be paid to farmers on trucks, except where otherwise stated:— Wheat—Tuscan 5s Bd, Hunters 5s lOd, Velvet 6s, Marquis 6s 2d (all f.0.b.).

Oats—A Cartons, nominal, 3s, B grade. 2s 9d; Algerians, 2s 3d to 2s 6d; Duns. 3s 3d to 3s 6d for heavy dark quality, 2s 3d to 2s 9d for light and inferior. Ryegrass—Perennial, 3s 6d to 4s; Italian, 3s 6d to 4s. Cocksfoot —To Is per lb. Red Clover—ls to Is 3d per lb. Peas—Partridge, to 6s. Lupins—3s 6d to 4s. Potatoes—Whites, £7 a ton; Buttons, £7 10s. Chaff— £3 15s a ton. Onions—£7 a ton. Linseed—£l4 a ton. White Clover—To 2s per lb. ASHBURTON Odd lines of wheat are still coming forward and finding a ready sale. A good demand exists for heavy lines of Carton oats, suitable for mill - ing. Some of the lines offering are light in weight. Merchants are prepared to purchase ryegrass, cocksfoot, red and ..white clover of high purity and germination,* with a view to export business; •: •I ' Most lines of Partridge peas have been marketed. Potatoes are now being dug, but the yields so far have been disappointing. • • , Following are prices quoted to farmers, on trucks, sacks extra, free of commission;— Wheat—Tuscan; 5s ‘ 8d; Hunters. 5s 10d: Velvet, 6s;, Marquis, 6s -2d (all f.0.b.). Oats—A Cartons, 3s; B grade 2s 8d to 2s 9d; Algerians, 2s 5d to 2s 9d; Duns, 3s 3d for heavy dark quality, 2s 3d to 2s 9d for light and inferior. Grass Seeds—Perennnal, to 3s 6d; Italian, 3s to 3s 6d, according to quality; cocksfoot,; Is per lb, according to quality. , ■ . Red Clover—ls to Is 4d per lb; white Is 6d to 2s per lb for uncertified. Peas—Partridge, 5s to 6s. Chaff—Good bright oatsheaf, £4. Potatoes—Dakotas, £7 a ton; Buttons, £7 55.. SECURITIES JN LONDON (U.P.A.) J LONDON, May 1. Quotations in London for British and Dominion stocks for the week ending May 1 were:— Consols,, 2i per cent., £7B; Funding Loan, 4 per cent., £ll2 10s; War Loan, 3J per cent., £lO3 15s; British 3J per cent, conversion loan, £lO4 10s; Victory fiondsf £lll 10s; New Zealand Bonds, 4J per cent., £lO3 10s; 3 per cent, £9B ss.