DUTIES ON SUGAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 9

DUTIES ON SUGAR.

POLARISATION PROPOSALS.

QUEENSLAND DISSATISFIED, j

Auittralian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received • April 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 18.

It :is learned that Queensland intends to resign from the Buga:r Federation owing to its dissatisfaction with the policy which confines the benefits flowing from the proposed new duties to sugars under 98 degrees of polarisation instead of 99. Queensland contends that British refiners are equally well protected under the Australian proposals. Mauritius also- ia contemplating resigning. Nevertheless, Queensland circles fear the decision, which will be disadvantageous to Queensland, will be included in the Budget. Thß Morning Post says the Secretary of State for the Dominions, Mr. L. S. Amery, has been placed in full possession of the fact 3, and his support of the Australian case is confidently relied upon., Fortunately, there is an easy way out by a variable reduction in the sugar duty, which should be 99 degrees or less for Empire sugar, and 98 for non-Empire sugar. Queensland and Mauritius would thus be safeguarded,

The Post remarks that at a time when the development of Empire trade is a cardinal article of national policy, it would be very regrettable if a serious setback were inflicted upon this staple industry in two important parts of tho Empire by an unconsidered measure of fiscal adjustment. The Dominions and the colonies rightly look to Mr. Amery to support them in this matter.

MARKET REPORTS.

FRUIT AND PRODUCE PRICES. There was a very strong inquiry for the choicest varieties of pears at the sales held at the Auckland City Markets yesterday. Contrary to expectations prices did not rise. Apples were dull of sale, values falling. Large supplies of tomatoes caused the prices to fall Is below those prevailing at last sale. Short supplies of lemons soli at prices 2s in advance of those of last week. Sales of hothouse grapes were very dull, price 3 falling in consequence. Banana values were on a par with those standing earlier in the week. Larger supplies of persimmons sold at reduced: rates. Grape fruit appeared on the market for the first time and sold at 42s 6d ■& case. American navel oranges sold at rates 2s 6d below those prevailing earlier in the week, the Valencia variety remaining steady at; 475. The produce market was heavily supplied with inferior Southern potatoes* which drove the local variety oft tho market. There were very few sales of the latter variety. The price of Southerns fell Is. Heavy supplies of kumaras brought the same values as last week. Celery came to hand in largo quantities, the price falling a further 9il. Beans and lettuce sold at advanced rates. Good supplies of other varieties of vegetables sold to a fair demand; radish was tho only exception and . supplies of these proved unsaleable. Eggs have now been graded according to size. Hen eggs sold at advanced rates, bringing 2s 7d to 2s 8d per dozen. Inter-mediate-sized eggs brought 2s Id to 2s 2d, and pullets' eggs, realised only. Is 9d to Is lOd. Moderate supplies of duckeggs sold at last week's rates. No change has taken placo in the price of farmer's butier. -

The following prices were realised;:— FRUIT. Apples.—Cos's, Ofimgo, • 8b to 10s a. case; Delicious, 3s. to -Cs; Jonathan, 4s to tia ; Ballarat.'6s to "Ts Motiifoe'aJ 'ft to Granny Smith, 6s to- Bs, Pfe&rsi Coles and 'Sellis. 9s to lis; • Beurr.e. Bose; 5S' to "fid;* Beurre Die'l, 5s to 6s. Tomatoes, choice, local, 3a to Ss: Hutt, 3s to-4s; others, Is up.'Ltijnons. 15s to 225. Grapes, hothouse. Coloman'e choice. Is 6d to il's' lOd per'lb; : Goldman's No. 2, Is to la 3d; To Kauwhata, 15s 6d to 16s a caae. Quinces, lOs. Passions. 3s to Bs. Bananas, repacked, 20s to 255. Oranges, American navels, 42s 6d; American Valencias, 475. Persimmons, 4s 6d to 7s. Grape fruit, 42s 6d. '"

FIELD PRODUCE. Potatoes, Southern, 6s to 7s per cwt; onions, 9s to 10s; kuraaras, lid to IJd per lb; cabbage, 'ss to 17a 6d a sues; on benches, 4s to 8s; .cauliflower, ,6a to 14a; swedes, 2s 6d .to 5s a bag; pumpkins, 5s to l'2s 6d per cwt; on "benches, 6a is Is 6d each; green peso, -4d to 6d per lb; beans, 4s to 7s 6d a-bag; lettuce, Is to 3s '& case; cucumbers, Is to 3s a dozen; vegetable marrows, Is 8d to 4ii Gd a dozen; watermelons, Is to 2s 6d each; rock melons, 3d to l)d each, celery, Is to 2s fid a bundle; rhubarb, 1s 6d to 2a 6d a dozen; spinach, 9d 'to Is; spring onious, 3d tci 9d a bundle; radish, no sales;' carrots, parsnips,, beet ard turnips, Is to 2s a dozen; citron melons, 4s lid' 4s 6d per cwt. DAIRY PRODUCE. Hen eggs, 2s 7d to 2s Sd a dozen; intermediate size, 2s Id to 2s 2d; pullets. Is 9d to Is lOd; duck eggs, 2s to 2s 2d; farmers' butter, Is to is 8d per lb. .

CANTERBURY MARKETS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—-PRESS ASSOCIATION,] CHBISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

Owing to the heavy consignments of potatoes that have gone to Auckland, a proportion of which failed to keep, and the decrease in price there as a result the market for prompt delivery is weak. In addition to the causes mentioned there has been something of a "bear" influence by forward operators. Recent arrivals in Auckland nave been sold as low as £6 ex wharf. Prompt deliveries ara quoted at £4 12s 6d f.0.b.,5.i. j May, £4 l-5s and May-June, £4 17s 6d. The depression in the potato market, on the evidence available, may be of short duration, as blight is prevalent. Wheat is firm at 5s 7d & bushel on trucks at average country • stations. Tho break in the threshing on account of the weather has been a boon to the farmer, as there is no great, supply of good milling wheat offering. There is a great quantity of badly-conditioned wheat coming forward.

Oats are quoted at 3s lOd f.o.b.,Ji.i. for A grade Cartons or 3s 3d on trucks. _ Chaff is quoted at £5 5s f.0.b.,i5,i. or 3s lOd on trucks, with little business being done. Peas aro quoted at 5$ lOd to 6s on trucks for A grade and 5s 3d to 5s 5d for fair average quality. Although a good quantity of small peas is appearing in the samples the crop is threshing out better than was anticipated.