COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18685, 15 April 1924, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

INDIAN TEA CROP. PAST SEASON REVIEWED. A and N.Z. CALCUTTA, April 13. The tea sales for the past season show an increase of 22 per cent, and an average price increase of 13 per cent- There is a steady demand from all markets. Shipments to foreign markets have increased 7£ per pent., and to ports other than in the United Kingdom by 12 per cent. :. The total weight of the. tea crop for the past season was 326,750,0001b., as compared with 280,500,0001b. for the previous'season. Increased labour is available, the weather also being favourable, but generally economic conditions are not i such as to favour extensive recruitment, while competition is seriously affecting the movement of labour to tea districts. The quality of the crop is inferior to that of 1922-1923, but it can be described as average. Rains have rendered the autumnal crops disappointing, but on the whole the 1924 prospects are favourable.

LONDON DAIRY MARKETS.

BUTTER AND CHEESE QUIET, [BY TELEGRAPH.— PfiESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The New Zealand' Producers' Co-Operative Marketing Association's weekly market report from London, dated April 11, is as follows: — Butter.—Tlie market is very ciuiet. New Zealand, salted, 150 ato 1525; unsalted, 154s to 158s; whey, 120 a to 128s: Australian, 130s to 140.i; inferior. 116s to 120b; Argentine, 134s to 138s; Danish, 170s to 1745. " Cheese.The market is quiet. New Zealand, white and coloured. 82a to 84s; Australian, 77s to 80s; English, factory, plentiful, 70s to 78s. Present stocks of New Zealand cheese total 120.000 crates. Notwithstanding this arrival* are rr.ore than sufficient for tV>e market, which may decline still further. A large English "make" is expected and Canadian imports are due nest month. It is suggested that factories which are holding release a portion gradually, as simultaneous release will further depress prices'. The weather here is ctill wintry and the spring backward.

MANAWATU STOCK SALES. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., Palraerston North, report having a very good entry of both sheep and cattle at their Feildins sal© on Friday. There was a strong demand lor all classes, and practically every line changed hands. Quotations —Light fat lambs. 22s 7d; fat ewes, 22s to 235: oninty store ewes. 12s to 14s ld;-m.a. ewes, i.1., 20s to 21s 2d; oull lambti. 7s 7d to 8s; cull 2-tooth wethers, 19s 8d; 2-tooth wethers, 26s Id; small w.f. lambs, 14s 4d; small b.f. lambs, 12a 6d to 13s 6d; woolly lamb*, 20s lOd: good wether lambs, 20s to 20s 3d: fair ewe lambs. 20s 6d; good ewe lambs. tU 4d; S.H. cows, r.w. S.H.« bulls. £2 12s to £2 13 6d: b.f. S.H. weaker steers, £2 3s 6d; b.f. S.H. weaner heifers. 31s; call m.s. weaners. 14a: vealers, to £2 10s 6.3; fat cows. £3 7s 6d. £4 Is, £4 7s Rd. to £5 19«; 18-months S.H. and Her. steers. £2 17s 6d; forward cows, 35s to £2 ss.