NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19377, 12 July 1926, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.

VICTORIAN ALLEGATION. [BY TEI.EGUAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Christchjirch merchants when asked today about, the Victorian reports in regard to the prevalence of powdery scab in New Zealand potatoes entering the Commonwealth. expressed the opinion that they were simply a clumsy attempt to oust Dominion potatoes from Sydney in the interests of the Victorian market. That the sole shipment to Melbourne, a matter , of 25 tons, should be found diseased when 7000 tons had been given a clean bill in Sydney threw a very grave doubt on the genuineness of the Victorian report. It was obvious that if New Zealand potatoes were rejected Victorians would be wanted in Sydney at probably £l6 or £l7 a ton. It may be recalled that early in the season when the Now Zealand export commenced a Tasmaman politician advocated the imposition of another £3 a ton duty on our potatoes "in order to protect the Tasmanian growers," who at that period were getting £l7 a ton at the local railway station. That proposal was scarcely taken seriously, but it showed that it was New Zealand competition, not the condition of the potatoes, that inspired the suggestion and the present agitation, it was asserted, was obviouly similarly inspired. However, it was a wellknow fact that Victoria had for years adopted a determined hostility to the entrance (jf New Zealand produce. Apparently judging by the tone of Sydney inquiries during the last day or two the trade tliere was not much perturbed by the Melbourne agitation. Tho opinion of the Federal DirectorGeneral of Quarantine should satisfy ;■ glowers here of the thoroughness of the inspectorial work. This officer emphatically denied that any diseased potatoes had been admitted to Sydney, and the unkindest cut of all, said one merchant, was that " the only ones which have carried the disease are those forming Melbourne's rejected consignment." DAIRY PRODUCE. i LONDON MARKET RATES. Messrs. Allen and Findlay have received the following advice from their principals, Messrs. Armour and Company, Ltd., London, dated July 9:—Butter; New Zealand, 170s to 1725; market slow. Cheese: New Zealand, 87s to 925; market quiet. NEW ZEALAND APPLES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 9. At the apple sales in London New Zealand Rturmers sold at 8s to 9s 6d and Delicious at 7s to 8s 6d. At Liverpool New Zealand Stunners realised 6s to 7s 6d, Delicious 7s to 9s, Statesman 6s 3d to 8s 6d and Rokewood 7s to 10s. CHICAGO WHEAT MARKET. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) CHICAGO, July 10. Wheat, —July, 1 dollar 38 7-8 cents per bushel; September, 1 dollar 37J1- cents;. December, 1 dollar 40 7-8 cents. DUNEDIN PRODUCE RATES. LITTLE CHANGE IN PRICES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN. Sunday. A cablegram from Australia announces an advance there in the price of flour. This increase will have a tendency to harden wheat prices in New Zealand as growers will consider that the competition from Australian flour can be more easily met by New Zealand millers and that they may therefore be able to get a penny or two more per bushel for their wheat. Whether millers will respond is very doubtful as they are not keen to buy even at the present quotations. it is suggested that tho increase of 15s Eer ton in the price of Australian flour as been brought about by the reports of the damage done to crops by floods in Europe and drought conditions in certain parts of America. There is no alteration in the fowl wheat market. North Island merchants continue to draw supplies from Australia, y The chief source of supply is Adelaide, where F.A.Q. milling is available at 6s 4d, f.0.b., s.i. This can be landed in the North Island below southern parity. The ruling quotation in the south for good whole fowl wheat is 7s f.0.b., sacks extra. A good deal of undergrade wheat is offering. Merchants hold a fair quantity of this class of wheat and any undergrade lots coming to hand are realising about 6s 3d to 6s 6d per bushel, sacks extra. The oat market is still stagnant, with practically no business passing. Offerings from growers are light but stocks in stores are fairly plentiful. A grade oats have been offered during the week at 4s 2d f.0.b., s.i., and B grade down to 3s lid, without finding buyers. There does not seem much anxiety on the part of merchants to sell and it is considered that the market cannot come back any further. • Offerings of undergrade are fairly plentiful, but no market has been found for these. The Blenheim market is firm. The quotation for chaff for shipping to the North Island from here is £7 15s, f.0.b., s.i. This price compares favourably with that ruling at Blenheim, taking into consideration the cost of the extra freight, but no business has resulted so far. The local market is also quiet with consignments arriving fairly freely. The value for best quality chaff is round about £6, sacks extra, ex truck. Medium and poor quality* are slow of sale and stocks of these are accumulating in tb« stores. The potato market is uncertain. Fairly heavy consignments are still going to Australia but no buying orders are being received in the meantime from Sydney merchants. The prices realised for "these consignments are equivalent to about £6 per ton, f.0.b., s.i. The quantity held in stores is fairly substantial and" as some of the potatoes are showing signs of growth earlier than nsual there is anxiety on the part of holders to realise. This has caused an easing in the market. Best quality is worth £6 per ton, sacks included, ex truck. Reports from Auckland go to show that offerings are plentiful, . the price asked for July shipment being £6 10s per ton. PUKEKOHE MARKET . REPORT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PUKEKOHE, Saturday. The Franklin Farmers' Auctioneering Company, Ltd., Pukekohe, report:—At the weekly sale at our mart yesterday there was a large attendance and there were good entries in all lines. Pigs sold well, weaners bringing 18a to 21s, slip 3 22a 6d to 255, and stores up to 355. In poultry, light hens realised from Is 6d to 2s; heavier hens, 2s 3d to 2s 9d; roosters, 2s 9d to ss; and ducks, 2s 7d to 3s. A plentiful supply of vegetables sold to a keen demand. Cabbages brought from 4s to 6s a sack, and 2s to 4s a dozen loose; carrots and parsnips. Is 9d to 2s 6d a sugar bag, and 8d to Is a dozen bundles; Southern potatoes, 10s 6d per ewt., in sack lots; pumpkins, 5s to Ss per cwt.; onions, soft and shot, about Id per lb., and rhubarb, fid a bundle. Lemons brought 9d a dozen, oranges Is, and melons Is per cwt. In apples, Delicious brought 10s to 12s a bushel case; Dougherty, 5s 3d to 73; and other varieties, Bs, 6d to 10s. For half-cases Stunners, second grade, brought 3s 3d, and Permains, 2s 6d. A large quantity of young fruit trees sold at from 9d to Is 9d a tree.