FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 123, 22 April 1927, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

PEDIGREE CATTLE.

IMPORTATION URGED.

At this afternoon's meeting of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, reference was made by Mr J. McFarland to the fact that he had noticed that the Government had imported some of the Rua* kura State Farm’s pedigree cattle. Mr McFarland pointed out that, when a farmer wanted such a strain from the farm, he was required to pay “outside’’ prices for it. “In. the north of Ireland,” slated the speaker, “the Government provides pedigree sires for farmers requiring the services of such animals, and puts them in charge of the various county councils which charge a nominal fee for their use.” He was of opinion that something on these lines should be done for New Zealand farmers, and it was decided that each member should obtain all the available information*with a view to framing a report to be presented at the annual conference.

THE FRUIT MARKETS.

SHIPMENTS FROM DOMINIONS.

LONDON, April 20. Apple prices are ra tlier lower owing to the larger supplies. The balance of the Mahana’s and Can.bridge’s New Zealand Cox’s sold from 18s to 30s, Jonathans 15s to 17s, Dunns 13 to 16s, King Davids 14s to 16s, Delicious 15s to 18s. Of tho pear} trays of Clairgeau brought from 4s to 6j. The West Australian apples by the Otranto were generally of good quality and in good condition. Jonathans 14s to 17s, Cleopatras 16s to 18s Gd, Dunns 15s to 17s, Cox’s 15s to 22s 6d. Pears: Trays of Josephines 9s to I,os. Grapes: The Flame Tokay were wasty; the others were good. Three-quarter cases of Almeira Ohanez brought 15s to 16s, Black Malaga 13s to 13s 6d, Wortley HaU 16s, White Wortley 70s 6d.

The Tasmanian t pples by the Otranto'were of only moderate quality. Ril>stons, immature and spotty, 10s fo 13s; Cox’s, somewhat pitted, 16s to 19s; Jonathans 13s 6d, New Yorks 13s to 15s, Munros 13s, Cleopatras 14s, Blenheims 12s 6d to 13s, Alexandras 11s to 13s, Hobbs 10s 6d.—A. and N.Z. cable.

FRUITGROWING IN THE NORTH

Per Press Association

WHANGAREI, April 21. Hon. O. J. Hawken held a conference here this afternoon- with district fruitgrowers concerning their needs. Various speakers urged that dumping lemons from Italy and California and. of tomatoes from Cook Islands be prevented. Pests and diseases were also discussed, and in this connection the Minister announced that two extra entomologists had been appointed to assist Mr Davis Miller, Chief Entomologist, in research. The Minister expressed sympathy with the fruitgrowers’ problems, and predicted a great future for the industry, which had started the export season very well.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS

SYDNEY, April 21. Wheat. —At country stations, 4s 7d per bushel; ex truck Sydney, 5s 2Jd. Flom, ex port, £ll 10s per ton f.0.b.; local, £l2 ss. Oats, Tasmanian white, 4s 3d to 4s 4d per bushel; Algerian, 4s to 4s Id; inferior, 3s 9d. Maize, yellow and white, 6s 9d per bushel. Potatoes, Tasmanian, £5 to £8 per ton. Onions, Victorian, £5 10s per ton.—Press Association. ADELAIDE, April 21. Wheat. —Growers’ lots, 5s Oid to 5s Id; parcels for trade, 5s 3d. Flour, bakers’ lots, *£l3 7s 6d. Oats, 2s 4d to 2s 6d.—Press Association.

BUTTER AND CHEESE.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd., has received the following cablegram from their London house under date 13th inst. Butter: New Zealand, 162 sto 154 s cwt. Cheese: 76s to 77s per cwt. Markets steady.

BANK OF ENGLAND DISCOUNT RATE.

REDUCED TO 4* PER CENT,

LONDON, April 21. The bank rate has been reduced to 4J per cent. —A. and N.Z. cable.

THE WOOL MARKETS. SALES HELD IN SYDNEY.

SYDNEY, April 21. At the wool sales the market was equal to the previous day’s rates for good fleece wools of all descriptions of skirtings, comebacks and crossbreds, but for doubtful yielding Merino fleece wools and lines wanting in colour the market was irregular, and the easier tendency continued. Greasy Merino sold to 27jd per lb.—Press Association.

FROZEN AND CHILLED MEAT.

The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has received a cable from its representative at Buenos Aires, South America, advising the following shipments to the United Kingdom for the fortnight ended 14th April, 1927, from Argentine and Uruguay: 284.350 quarters chilled beef, 26,018 quarters frozen beef, 86,908 carcases frozen mutton, 78,301 carcases frozen lamb. The quantity shipped to the Continent of_Europe during the same period was as f0110w5:—75,583 quarters frozen beef, 4731 carcases frozen mutton, 784 carcases frozeu lamb.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London office under date 14th instant: —New Zealand frozen meat: Lamb and mutton, no change in market. Last quotations (April 4, 1927): Lamb, B|d per lb. (average); mutton, wether end maiden ewe, light 6d per lb., heavy 42d per lb.; ewe, light 4sd per lb., heavy 3Jd per lb.

LONDON TALLOW SALES,

Dalgety and Company, Ltd., report having received the following cablegram from their London house, under date of 20th inst.:—Tallow: No sales held to-day. Market quiet and unchanged..

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

INQUIRIES IN CANADA,

MONTREAL, April 20. Mr James Silk, head of the Australian Trade Customs Office in New York, informed an Australian Press Association representative that during the last three months he has receievd more inquiries concerning the -Australian Commonwealth customs tariff regulations, and trade conditions generally, than during the entire previous year. . Considerable importance is attached to these inquiries, in view of the fact that the inquirees are nearly all wellknown manufacturers, and not export agents. The office is kept busy, answering letters and telephons messages, and seeing personal callers. Among the trade : groups interested are machinery, apparel, fabrics, automobile sundries, equipment, fabricated iron and steel, and pianos. It is pointed out that the average manufacturer in the United States has been very busy hitherto in meeting the requirements of the domestic market, having no time or inclination to seek foreign outlets; but in view of the recession of the domestic demand, foreign markets axe being sounded, and Australia is very much favoured.—A. and N. Z. cable.

TARANAKI OILFIELD, LTD

Per Press Association. , NEW PLYMOUTH, April 21. Taranaki Oilfields, Ltd.,- report: l — No. 2 well is drilled to 1018 ft, and cemented 12in casing at that depth. At the Gisborne well the transport Of equipment is making good progress. Taranaki No. 3 is drilled to 60ft, in soft sediment, and 50ft in 20in casing run, preparing to concrete cellar.

NATIONAL BANK OF AUS-' TRALASIA.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 21. The National Bank of New Zealand has received advice that the National Bank of Australasia, subject to audit, will recommend a dividend of ten per cent, per annum on both classes of shares for the half year ended March 31. The reserve fund has been increased to two and half millions sterling.

PRICE OF GOLD

LONDON, April 20. The . price of gold is £4 4s IOJd per ounce. —A. and N.Z. cable.