COMMERCIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1928, Page 9

COMMERCIAL

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

(Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, October 2. Potatoes continue to monopolise the attention of those interested, in the produce market. The position, generally, shows little alteration in the past few days. Th© demand is good and there are many orders, but the supply appears not to be equal to the demand, though there are more reports of potatoes available this week than last. Growers holding stocks are said not to be too eager to accept even the very tempting prices offered at present for small lots. As high as £lO 10s to £ll was paid to-day, equal to £l2 to £l2 10s f.o.b. The Kurow will take about 3000 sacks, representing the cargo taken on board at Timaru and Lyttelton. This quantity is about half a week’s supply of the .'Auckland market. From all parts of the Dominion there is enquiry for potatoes for prompt and for October deliveries.

There is a firming tendency in the wheat market, for good milling wheat; 6/1 and 6/2 f.o.b.s.i. is quoted. Prime whole fowl wheat is quoted at 5/7 to 5/7?, f.o.b. Lyttelton, and for OctoberNovember 5/81.

Quotations for other produce are unchanged.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. (Special to “Star.”) AUCKLAND, October 3. Tho scarcity of potatoes, and the extremely high prices ruling, continue to cause anxiety to city merchants and shopkeepers. A few days ago, an Auckland firm sent the following telegram to the Department of Agriculture: —“Stat© of potato position very acute in Auckland. Can you grant permit to import from Melbourne?” The reply was received: “Regret, no variation can be made in conditions regarding importation of potatoes.” Discussing the position yesterday, a merchant said it was necessary to relieve the Auckland market, as potatoes were almost too dear to eat. It will ’bo at least six weeks before there are sufficient new potatoes to ease the market, and one or two shipments from Australia would tide us over. He said it is possible to import, but the regulations governing shipments on arrival make it almost impossible. The merchant said he had been quoted South Island potatoes yesterday at a figure which would cost him £l3 15s a ton to land in Auckland, which meant the shopkeeper would have to pay about £l4 10s. When he in turn added the percentage for retailing, potatoes would become a very dear vegetable indeed. He did not recollect a similar situation in the past 20 years.

STOCKS AND SHARES.

WELLINGTON, October 3. Sales reported: 51 per cent, inscribed stock, 1933, £lOl/5/-, do 1936, do New Zealand Brewery 10 per cent, bonds, 24/6 on ’Change, New Zealand guarante corporation ord. 9/2. AUCKLAND. October 3. Sale Soldiers’ per cent Loan £lOl 5/. Reported : Northern Steam con. 6/8; Commercial Bank (pref.) £7 7/6; Hauk of New South Wales £5l 7/6. DISTRIBUTORS, LTD. Mr J. R. Dench (managing-director of Distributors, Ltd), advises that all agreements between mill-owners and Distributors, Ltd., are now signed, and the company will continue operations. ■ At the last meeting of directors of the company Mr R. K. Ireland, who was acting-chairman during the negotiations and in the absence abroad of Mr J. Rennie, was appointed chairman of directors.