STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 January 1928, Page 8

STOCK MARKETS.

YEAR’S BUSINESS OPENING WELT

WOOL PRICES STRONG

Business in stock has opened again after the short end-of-year spell, and indications all round are good. Hie continued high level in prices at the first of the wool sales this week gives promise that the sheep fanners are going to have a great season. Both Bradford (England) and the Continent were operating strongly. Dairy produce has shown a slight with quiet markets, but prices are still fairly good. The course of the market as the large shipments continue to reach London will .be watched verykeen ly. At present these are very heavy, and they will continue so for some time, lit addition, the abnormally bad weather, with excessive cold and heavy floods, is a very serious matter, and nas operated very adversely. Until this improves, the position is certain to be difficult.

Ihe most important feature o-f the week is the rise in wool of from, id to Id as compared with the November Gales. The top figures of three months ago have 'been exceeded. This will be very welcome news to the farmer and to the whole community.

In stock generally,'though there lias been little doing at the yard sales, there has been good business in the paddock, land at satisfactory prices. The farmers are mostly hard at work haymaking, and have little time to attend sales. So soon as they get clear of the work at the haystack and the ensilage pit or silo- they will be able to look round and see what' .stock is available and what they have to sell. Although pig yardings have been small, the offerings have met with keen competition and realised well, in North Taranaki stores were quitted at 255, weaners at' 11s. The future of the industry is being discussed very seriously in view of the subsidy announced by the Department of Agriculture, but its ■fieri and its operation are vague at present. More and detailed information will be awaited with interest.

(hmerally the prospects are considered sound and promising, and farmers look with confidence to the remainder of the season. There are big questions a,rising, and the progress of the industry in all its ramifications will be watched very carefully. The, welfare of the whole Dominion depends so largely on its primary products that they are a vital matter to everyone, and t'heir successful realisation is essential to prosperity.