COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

WHOLESALE YEAR ENDED. HEAVY RETAIL TRADE. THE PRODUCE MARKET. A great rush oi business is reported in the retail this week, ana it has in some cases j been impossible to cater for all requirements. I Heavy spending has been the order of the day. and there is evidently no scarcity oi cash. All departments are getting the benefit of the crest activity this -week, and the pubiic have oeen endeavouring to make up for lost time by crowding their purchases into a few days. Wholesale houses report business over for this year. A few sorting-up orders are still coming m. but travellers are ofi the road." and will not be out again for another fortnight. .Thera is increasing anxiety over the shipping str se, and the news of the actual sailing oi the Ha-heno from Sydney to-diy will consiaerabie relief. Shipping on our own coasts cannot stand any interruotions. as large cargoes are moving both ways. However. tnore has lately bet;n a slight falling off in cargo going South. Produce values are slightly weaker again, owing to a permanent increase in supplies, the only exception being dairy produce. . Potatoes.—Large quantities are being sent IX fs' ," r ? wers . apparently wanting to get them oil before the holidays, and also in order to escape less from second growth. In addition to increased supplies, the market is kept cown by a decreased demand, nearly all householders having a few in their gardensore Potatoes tnan usual probably have been so grown this year, private growing having >J?en stimulated by the high price ruling during the winter. Market is a little irregular at 5s to 6s, according to quality. Unions.—Regular shipments were "expected from Australia, but the interruption to shipping has kept the market ratner bare thu< week, and Australian are firm at 22s 6d to 2os. A few may b 0 on the Maheno. supposed to leave Svdney to-day, but merchants are not inclined to import many, as the local are doing particularly well, end will be ready earlier than usual. A few very fair iota ar© already coming into the auctions. Oats.—Demand is so slow that the market keeps week at 5s to 5s 3d ex stow. Consumption, appears to have fallen right off, and this summer it will be less than ever, on account of the srest increase in, motor traffic. Oatmeal.—Stocks are very low. but demand has fallen 05, so very little inconvenience is being caused. Wheat.—The Government Statistician has the result of the wheat census taken on. November SO. The total wheat in the Dominion is put at 1.075.013 bushels, compared with 1.764.257 at the same dalfc* lajst year. On the other hand! flour shows a slight increase, as it is estimated at 9209 tons, compared with 8546 tons last. year. This increase makes practically no impression on the reduction in tho wheat stocks, and it remains to ..be seen whether this will be sufficient to last till next harvest, or until some of the Australian new grain can. bo brought across. Fowl Wheat.—Unobtainable at present, but the Australian harvest will probably have an. unduly heavy proportion only fit for fowl feod, and this may be procurable later on. Chaff.—Weak at 13s to 13s Gd ex store. Demand -as fallen off in consequence oi the exceptionally pood growth of grass, and hay is now available in any auantity. Hay.—Tho Tain delayed the harrert, but most of it is in fair condition. The fine weather this week was very welcome to a good many farmers who had hay out. Maize.—Market weak and irregular at about 6s 6d to 6s 9d on the wharf in wholesale lines. Demand has fallen off. Far too much was se-nt up from the Bay of in addition to Island and Australian shipments. AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Dec. 23. Oats.—Tasmanian and South Australian Algerian feed. 2s 6d to 2s -9d; milling, 3s; white. 4s to 4s 3d. _ „, Maize.—White. 6s 6d; yellow, 6s 9d. Potatoes.—£2 to £5; Tasmanian, £10. Onions.—Victorian, £10. ADELAIDE, Dec. 23. Oats.—Growers' lots, Is 9d.