COMMERCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 24007, 4 October 1941, Page 13

COMMERCIAL

CANTERBURY MARKETS POTATO PRICES FIRMER (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 3. Supplies of local potatoes are now becoming scarce and the Government’s importations have not had much permanent effect on the market here. There is not much business passing, which is not unusual for so late in the season, and as orders are becoming increasingly difficult to fill, the price to the farmer has firmed a little during the week. Government imports are reported to have been between 500 and 600 tons, the great bu'k of which has been used for the military camps. Seed peas have been going into the country freely during the week and a good deal of iand that was intended tor spring wheal wifi, it appears, now have to bo pul into peas. A little seed wheat has also been delivered, hut a break in the weather will probably make it impossible to sow any more wheat. The small seeds market has been dull. There arc a few overseas inquiries, but the bulk of the activity bar been for small retail lots for spring sowing. MINING NEWS WAITAHU RETURN. The Waitabu Gold Mining Company Ltd. reports that a further partial wash-up in No. 28 paddock resulted in a return of 420 z Idwt for 24 shifts of eight hours each. This makes a total of 83oz 4dwt so far from this paddock. BULOLO DREDGE. For the month of August (ho total gross production amounted to 18,2550 zof bullion, containing 12,5940 zof fine gold from 1,634,00C cubic yards. Estimated working profit, 7,1280 z fine gold. MOUNT MORGAN. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 3. The estimated working surplus of Mount Morgan Ltd., for the four weeks ended September 24, was £13,560. SYDNEY STUCK EXCHANGE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, October 3. Although business on ’Change was affected by the Federal Budget uncertainties 10-ddy, the share market was bright and firm. ' Morning Sales.—Bank of New - South Wales, £26 4s; Toohcy’s,’£l 9s 6d; Associated News (pref.), 16s 4£d; Australian Consolidated Industries, £2 8s; British Tobacco, £2 6s 3d; Henry Jones, £2 9s 9d. Afternoon Sales.—Commercial Banking of Sydney, £l7 13s; National Bank (£5 paid) £5 15s 6d; Carlton Brewery, £3 7s 6d; Selfridges, £1 Is 4d; Wilcox Mofflin, 10s; General Industries, 18s 3d; Mount Lyell, £1 7s 7d; Electrolytic Zinc, £2 13s 3d. CLOSING SALES —Reported Yesterday.— 4 p.c. Stock, 1946-49, £lO5. War, Loan. 1953, £B7 10s. North Broken Hill, £2 4s. Bank of New Zealand (Long “D”), £1 11s 9d.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES INCREASED SUPPLIES FORWARD Ueilly’s report that increased supplies of fruit and vegetables are now coming forward. Belter supplies of apples have been distributed during. the week, and a satisfactory demand has been experienced for supplies, consisting principally of Sturmers, with a few cooking apples. Pears Spg in limited supply, with a satisfactory demand. Supplies of Australian oranges are eagerly awaited, retailers’ slocks now being very low. Small parcels of New Zealand-grown Navel oranges are coming forward, the quality being quite good. New Zealandgrown grapefruit has an excellent demand at good values, but New Zealand lemons are in ample supply for the present inquiry. Heavy supplies of rhubarb are coming to hand, and values show a considerable drop. Fresh vegetables are in increased supply, with a satisfactory demand being experienced. Cauliflowers are fairly low in value, but spring cabbage are still netting good values. Lettuce has an excellent demand with limited supplies arriving. Other lines of fresh vegetables have a satisfactory demand. Asparagus is now coming forward from Christchurch, and netting fair values. Table potatoes have a sound inquiry, while there is also a fairly satisfactory inquiry for seed potatoes. At the present time Canterbury onions are short of lhe_ inquiry, with higher prices ruling. Parsnips have firmed 111 value, and good quality carrots are also bringing good values. Unfortunately a few of the consignments arriving are not suitable for table use. ■ Very heavy supplies of cut flowers, both from the north- and local growers, are coming to hand, and values are reasonable. _ Slightly-increased supplies of whitebait have come forward during the week, but values remain firm. With a good demand for preserving purposes, supplies of eggs arriving are not sufficient for the inquiry. Only a small penning of poultry came forward for Wednesday’s sale with satisfactory values for good table birds. ORANGE SHORTAGE SUPPLIES PRACTICALLY AT END WAR CONDITIONS RESPONSIBLE Oranges have been in short supply for some time past, and it almost looks as if the season, locally, lias ended, although merchants are hoping that further consignments may yet come to hand. If there should be more shipments they are likely to be very small, and will not ease the shortage very much. The opinion has been voiced that the Government is withholding the importation of oranges to permit the quicker disposal of the big apple crop, but this does not appear to have the, slightest foundation in fact. Shipping space_ has been very hard pressed for some time, and suitable space for oranges has been 'hard to find. Because of this, when the Australian crop is exhausted, it is not very likely that the usual shipments from Jamaica will be available this year. The last shipment of Australian oranges to hand was much below normal, and this precipitated the allround shortage. Up till then the market had been fairly supplied —nob over-generously, certainly, but the fruit had at least always been obtainable. During the next few months, probably until the Island oranges approach the ripening stage, there is likely to be a very apparent shortage. When war conditions are directly responsible for shortages, the public should have little cause for complaint, and there is no reason to think other than that the shortage of oranges is being brought about by war contingencies. Everyone knows that shipping space is limited these days, and that which is available is being devoted to more important things than oranges. Moreover, up to the present the Dominion has not suffered' from a shortage of oranges, whereas in England, almost since the war began, the fruit has not been obtainable. There are still many things for which we in this countrv must be reasonably thankful.