HOW IT HITS US

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 4, 5 July 1926, Page 9

HOW IT HITS US

' BRITISH COAL STRIKE

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN

POOR DEMAND

MARKET CONTINUES TO FALL

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian-New Zealand Cablo Assn.)

(Received sth July, 8 a.m.)

LONDON, 3rd July.

All branches of the Australian and New Zealand produce trade aro suffering severely from the effects of the coal strike, •with the resulting unemployment in all industries dependent on coal. It is estimated that nearly three million workers are not earning money; consequently, the spending power of industrial districts is enormously reduced and the consumption of what may bo regarded as luxury foods, such as butter, apples, and dried f uits, has greatly diminished. Other more essential foods are also affected, and the demand for frozen meat and cheese has fallen to very small dimensions. APPLE TRADE SUPPERS MOST. The apple trade is probably the greatest sufferer from this condition of affairs. Prices continue to decline. Even at 6s to 8s a case the demand is insufficient to clear arrivals. < The question of holding somo apples till the glut of soft fruits is passed has been considered, but found inadvisable, as the first American apples are due to' arrive at the beginning of August, which' is much earlier than usual. There seems little hope for any improvement in prices, and it is generally believed that this season's results will be the worst in the history of the apple trade. STAGNATION IN BUTTER. Stagnation reigns in the butter market and sales of Australian and New Zealand butter are almost negligible. Unfortunately, the decline in consumptive demand came at a time when Continental production was at its height, and we have been receiving heavy supplies of Danish and other European butters, which have been offering at cheaper rates than the colonial. Now, however, the full flush of the Continental production is over and supplies of butter from that source will decrease; so importers are hopeful that the worst is over, especially as the quantity afloat from. Australia and New Zealand; is much less than last year.