FOODSTUFFS AND MERCHANDISE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 204, 13 August 1914, Page 5

FOODSTUFFS AND MERCHANDISE.

DANISH SHIPMENTS. Copenhagen. Aug. 13. It is officially announced that Denmark will continue to send England 40,000 hogs weekly anad 40,000 cwt. of butter. BRITISH SUPPLIES. London, Aug. 12. Wheat is firm and there is a fair inquiry for arrived and near cargoes. There is perfect calm throughout Great Britain. The maximum prices of foodstuffs are apparently unnecessary, and prices are practically at normal. Fish and fruit are ridiculously cheap. HIGH PRICES IN AMERICA. New York, Aug. 11. Prices of foodstuffs are steady and rising throughout the United States. Farmers ami stockmen are holding in expectation of higher values. Congress will probably be asked to invest igit, the existen.’.- of <whiues.

The Armour Compnny explninH that the rising prices are partly due to the instability of the import of meat from Australia, while American stocks at present are very low. GIFT OF FROZEN MUTTON. (Received 13, 11.15 a.m.) Sydney. Aug. 13. It has been suggested that, the Commonwealth should offer Britain 1,000,000 carcases of frozen mutton. One firm offered 500. WAR RISKS ON EXPORTS. (PER I’HESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Aug. 13. In the House of Representative* last night, Sir Joseph Ward asked the Premier what had been done with regard to the provision of a war risk on exports. This matter was of vital importance, and unless something was done the condition of things would be gravely disturbed in this country. I idess some action was taken it would result in the hardening of prices. He had a telegram from a reliable firm stating that- the war risk from London was now’ 30 guineas. This would produce a stagnation of trade. If there was n high war risk at Home it would effect orders from here. Another important matter was the exportation of frozen meat. He was informed that the high freight charges were preventing the export of frozen produce to London, and while he recognised it was necessary to transport men and horses he thought it would bo wise if the freezing companies were allowed to ship meat by the transports. If exports were stopped it would mean a dislocation of th* trade of the country. In support, of Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that he personally had received a cable that his goods from New York would be 'Subject to a 20 per cent rate. The Premier staled that the Government had the matter in hand. Mr. Fisher stated that negotiations were in progress with the Imperial ( ;<iv» rnment to arrange for war risks, and he rend & series of messages that had been exchanged with the Home authorities. He had askod the Hume Government if it could be arranged to accent risks upon New Zealand exports, but had not yet received a reply. In reply to Mr. Buddo. the pre--1 mier said he hoped in a few day’s to be able to modify the. proclamation prohibiting the exportation of oats, peas, and loose beans. There was no desire to interfere with trade, and be was now satisfied that we had more oats in New Zealand than we required for our own use. Sir Joseph Ward returned to the question of war risks, and in reply Mr. Fisher said he was satisfied that the arrangements made by tlr Imperial authorities were meant to cover shipments to the dominions. ■ Sir Joseph Ward replied that the fact was that firms in New Zealand were being asked to pay a premium of 20 per cent. If the reply was as anticinatcd it was imperative that* the Government should take the matter up.