POTATOES AND WHEAT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 272, 13 August 1938, Page 14

POTATOES AND WHEAT

Position 11l Canterbury By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, August 12. The week has been a very quiet one in the grain and produce .markets, little trading of any kind Jias been done, ami prices have not changed. 'l’he chief interest continues to be in potatoes. Rumours that Australia will lift (he embargo on New Zealand potatoes persist. Merchants have been receiving many inquiries from Australia, and these have encouraged the belief that the time has not come yet to give up all hope of an export market. Farmers have been very- strong holders, and because of that, together with bad weather over the last six or seven weeks, deliveries from the country have been held up sufficiently to keep the market from crashing. Sellers are reluctant to operate 'beyond) August, and most buyers seem to be working on a hand-to-mouth basis. Tlie quotation to farmers remains at £2/10/- a ton at handy stations. ft was estimated earlier this year that the area sown in wheat would be practically back to normal, but the bad weather has upset ealciihitons. Wheal sown ourlj’ in -May and which had come through lhe ground before the weather broke will be all right, but many crops which were put in Inter in lhe month and have been waterlogged ever since will have to he written off. Although a few orders for seed have been coining in. the spring sowing of wheat, is not likely to be a large one now, because most of the ground will not be lit to work for some weeks.

'Tlie present stocks of wheat are very low and will all be required for local consumption. The market for Garton oats is lifeless, but Duns and Algerians of good quality have been in demand. Chaff is much firmer, with supplies scarce. Several large Government tenders have recently been completed for certified commercial ryegrass and certified cocksfoot. It is understood that more tenders will be called and these will probably keep the market firm at present rates.

Bradford Tops Market Quiet

By Telegraph.—l’ress As.su.—Copyright. London, August 11. The Bradford tops market is quiet, awaiting the opening of the Australian wool sales.

To-day quotations compare with those previously cabled us follows;—

Hemp And Tow Gradings

Gr.'iding.s of hemp last mouth covered only 814 bales, as against. 1928 bales for July, 1937, a decrease, of 1114 bales. July, July. 1937 1938 Decrease. Bales. Bales. Bales. Hemp 192 S 814 1114 Tow 73 122 *49 ♦lncrease.

Of the hemp graded last month, 80 bales were classed as good fair, 48 bales high fair, .119 bales low fair, 318 bales as common, and 249 bales as reject. At Auckland 429 bales were graded, at Bluff 292 bales, at Wellington 50 bales. and at I’icton 43 toiles.

July 21 July Aug. 4 Aug. .11 Merinos— (1. i!. (1. <1. 70's .. * 2.S 0 t's 26 i 26J 264 26J 60’s .. CroMbwls— ... 2-U 2-1J 25 J 25J ns’s * < •Hl •»• > > • >*) : 20 20 2'5 20 • (0 s 17 17 17 17 ID’s . .. *161 *16J *164 *16.1 10's . .. . *164 *164 *16.'. *16 J •iNeuniual.