COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 14628, 26 July 1911, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

It seems that Australia will have noneof New Zealand potatoes. A merchant states that the objection is said to be due to a scare of disease, but gives it as his opinion that it is a matter of retaliation against New Zealand's refusal to admit Australian potatoes free of duty. He meni tioned that whereas potatoes only realise from £3 to £4 per ton in Xew Zealand, they would, if allowed entry, fetch from £6 to £7 in Australia at the present time. The representative of a firm of London butter buyers, who is visiting Xew Zealand in order to arrange for increased supplies for his firm, interviewed at Masterton, said the quality of our butter was not below the Danish, but the latter was obtainable all the year round. He advocated winter dairying in New Zealand, so as to keep London supplied constantly. He also said the Government should advertise our produce by means of popular lantern lectures on farming in Xew Zealand ; also, on the history of butter and cheese from the. cow to the British table, throughout the United Kingdom. Buyers at Home were thoroughly satisfied with the Government supervision of produce at this end, but too much care eonld not be exercised, as an excess of moisture or foreign flavor in an odd shipment reawakened the old prejudice against the imported frozen produce. Referring to cheese, he said the quality could riot improved ; our cheese in many .rases was better than the Canadian. .Supplies of the latter were falling off, and the prospects were very bright. He anticipates a largelyincreasd demand for Xew Zealand cheese at Home next season. CHRTSTCHURCH MARKETS. The break in the weather has made all departments of the grain and produce trade extremely quiet, there being no offering of any kind. The only branches of trade that may be affected by the weather are chaff ami potatoes. The shortage of feed will, however, make chaff worth still more in the country-districts than for shipment. The Northern markets are well supplied at present with many consignments of potatoes from Southern ports, so that further supplies will not be required till growers are able to open their pits again; and unless further wet weather follows, the effect of the late rain is not likely, therefore, to be more than temporary. At present merchants find that- they cannot do any fresh business with the Northern markets. THE WOOL SALES. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. [Delavkd in 'Transmission.] LONDON, July 24. There is good competition for all sorts, and prices are well maintained. FARM PROPERTY SALES. Messrs E. L. Marassey and Co. report having recently sold, amongst ethers, the following properties :--()n account of Mr J. Herriott, of Waitati, his leasehold dairy farm, containing 82 acres, together : with dairy rattle, implements, crops, and | buildings, as a <goine concern, to Mr Peter j M'Rac, of Miller's Flat; on account of Mr A. Douglas, of Waikouniti, the tease of 250 acres at YYylie's Crossing, to Mr Wm. i Bryant, of Henley; on account of Mr A. I Forsyth, the lease cf his freehold sheep and cropping farm, of 560 acres, at Table Hill. Milton, to Mr J. Harrison, of the Reefs, Otaco Contra! : on account of Mr W. T. Scott, of Dunedin. the lease of his freehold property, of SO acres, at the ! Upper Junction, to Mr G. A. Herring, of j Upper Junction. j