CANTERBURY MARKETS

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 115, 15 May 1920, Page 7

CANTERBURY MARKETS

<BT TBLEaaAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHEISTCHUECH, 14th May. There has been a strong movement in oats during the week. It is reported that business with South Africa has been done through Australian sources, and this unexpected market has given a "stimulus to the position. North Island merchants are' now operating" to cover forward business, and possibly the South African opening has hastened , their activities. :Up to 5s lid f.o.b. South Island (equal to ss_ 2d at country stations) has. been paid during the past few days, and generally, although the amount of business with farmers has been small, the tone of the market is healthy. ■ . • ■ Wheat is continuing to come forward fairly • freely, though lack of trucks'is hampering its delivery. Merchants say it is easily the worst year in this respect for many seasons, wheat being held up all over the province for lack of trucks. There is .a'firmer tone in the white clover market. ' The lack of shipping is having a disastrous effect on the potato market.. Merchants are disinclined to operate until stocks on hand are got away, and any initiative is coming fron? the growers themselvee. Deals have taken place at SA at country stations, but quite a number at £3 15s, and . that ■ about limits merchants' offers,at present. The Kordmiko. which sailed. ' for Auckland on Thursday, was compelled' to shut out from 30 to 50 wagons of produce, a good proportion of which was potatoes, on account of insufficient labour ■ There is a good margin.. 'for North Island business on iocal quotations if shipping was available. : ' '