COMMERCIAL.

Northern Advocate, 11 April 1914, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

GENEEAL MAEKET REPORT

AUCKLAND, Wednesday 8

Customs: The Customs Department have adopted a few new regulations of interest to importers and exporters. For the future, cash discounts will be allowed in calculating ad valorem duties, and the change will be oil the contents only, and not on the extra charge for the containing package also as has been,charged hitherto. Arrangements have .been made wherby exports will go for the future without being supported by landing certificates, for which exporters were responsible. . Potatoes: The market is decidedly firmer this week, as a good local demand has made a great difference to the stocks in store, and there liave also been some very substantial lots ssnt to the Islands. It is quite evident that Auckland-grown will not stand keeping, I as those in store for any length of time require careful repieking before being sent out, owing to growth having already taken place. The glut is now over, arid the price has hardened to £3 15s ex store. The market is now almost ready for Southern, and before the month is out, the bulk of the stores will be drawn from there. Southern shippers are firmer in their demands, and price has"advanced quite ten shillings per ton since" opening quotations were named at tlae teginiiirig of -the . season: . Very little fresh business is taking place just now, as Auckland importers have already arranged for April-May purchases.

Onions: Stocks are still heavy, buj; holders are not at all keen on sacrificing their stocks as the market is firm in the South. The local demand is increasing, and small quantities have been sent to the Islands. Price is unchanged at £7 ex store. We understand that there will be no more sent to Vancouver this season.

Oats :Market has firmed in the South, and speculators are buying freely. This is probably in excectation of an export demand as business has been very quiet lately. The price is low, and buying ought tb be safe at present rates. Good stocks are held locally, and, price is giv-, en as 2s 10d ex store for A grade. .Seed Oats: Demand is rapidly improving, and is chiefly in Algerian. Samples offering are unsatisfactory, being of much lower quality than usual, and it is going to be difficult during this season to get suitable seed for sowing. The price in Australia for good seed has advanced, owing to export business, but imported seed is generally preferred on account of the stronger constitution of seed from a different climate. A shipment is due about the end of the month' from which recleaned ■is being sold at 4s, wheras local, cleaned is offering at 3s 9d. Oatmeal: A slightly better inquiry is reported. Wheat: The market is'very firm in have- only been small, but demandis very quiet. Several fairly big consignments are still held in the store , for a ! reserve that cannot possibly be realised : in the present state of the market. Demand may improve as the market gets • cooler, but at present very little business is passing, and the market is only nominal.. '• ■ Chaff: There is no change in the position Very little local is.being sold, but.big supplies are regularly drawn, from various southern centres. At pres- , ent the Auckland district is being applied by rail from as far south as Marton and Hastings. Bonedust: The Maheno brought the usual shipment from Sydney, but the demand is very heavy and everything available is sold at once. All fertilisers are selling well, as large quantities are required for grass seed and oat planting, beside the usual demand at this time of the year for top dressing. Flax: There is very little doing at present, as shippers are holding off.until the new rates of freight come in on May Ist.. The Home market is about the same. A few buyers come in occas-

lonally but they are only taking small lots. London stocks are'still heavy, and )■ there is no general demand. Fungus: In good demand ;at 5%d per lb for dry samples. KAURI; GUM. Arrivals have hardly been so heavy as during the previous week, but good quantities are still in store, as it has • t>een difficult lately to" dispose of the

various consignments as fast as they came along. Poor quality is still hanging fire, and we hear that several further lots have be,en returned to the country on account of the condition. The market shows very little change since last week, and the only active demand is for black.

Ordinary: Slow of sale, as reserve are so high that buyers will not operate. Rescraped: Very dull of sale, except at prices about £20 belov/ owner's reserves. Very little in consequence is

changing hands, and consignments are still lying in store.

Bush: Continues in fair demand, and the supply of bush chips is not sufficient to meet the demand at present existing. All grades can be readily placed if cleaned and of good colour.