TRADE OF BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21466, 13 April 1933, Page 7

TRADE OF BRITAIN

MARCH AND FEBRUARY COMPARATIVE FIGURES (Received April 12. 6.5 p.m.) British Wiseless RUGBY. April 1! Britain's overseas trade for March was as follows:—lmports totalled £56,346,000, as compared with £49,077,000 in February, and exports totalled £32,551,000, compared with £27,927,000 in February. In March, 1932, tho figures were: Imports, £61,181,000; exports, £31,196,000. The increase in imports last month was chiefly in food, drink and tobacco, and the increase in oxports was chiefly in articles wholly or mainly manufactured. WAIKATO STOCK MARKET LITTLE CHANGE RECORDED COMPETITION FOR LAMBS Very little change is to be observed since last reporting. Stock still comes forward freely and meets with better competition than is generally apparent prior to a holiday period. Activity in regard to "boner" cattle for export has been restricted by congestion at tho freezing works, but buyers, by making use of the abnormal grazing facilities available at the moment, are endeavouring to cope with all that presents itself. Farmers, therefore, on this account aro not suffering any serious loss. Competition for lambs on the"advanced schedule seems more alive and gives an impression that further advances are pending. These will certainly bo required if the fattening of stores, which wero so eagerly sought this summer, is to be made profitable. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are: — BEEF The absence of unrestricted export competition seems to havo removed the stability from the beef market, which at the Central Yards this week showed a further easing in the bullock section. Light-weight female stock were, however, a shade firmer, wifli plain animals much on last week's level. Prime ox sold from 16s to 17s; freezing quality, 14s to 15s; prime heifer, lis to 15s; young cow, 12s; ordinary cow, 9s to 10s; rough. 6s to 7s Gd. MUTTON Notwithstanding the much heavier entry at the Frankton yards this week, values did not decline to the extent anticipated. Ewes certainly were a trifle lower, but wethers fairly well mainaincd late quotations. Lambs, of which a good entry was penned, were practically all secured for export and at values fully up to schedule. Best wethers made to 15s 6d; medium, 12s 6d to 13s Gd; plain, from lis 6d; best ewes, to 8s 9d; ordinary, 6s 9d to 7s 6d ; rough, from 5s 6d; heavy lambs, to 13s 6d; medium, 9s 6d to 10s Gd; unfinished and light, from 6s. STORE CATTLE Good quality cattle of all classes still continue to sell, but inferior stock is rapidly losing ground and will 110 doubt before long disappear for the winter. An, indication of public valuation of in-calf heifers was obtained this week when a special sale of 250 was conducted in the Rangiriri district. A better reception was accorded than was generally anticipated. Good animals ranged between £4 10s and £5 7s Gd, with a medium quality between £3 10s and £l, not a great deal, in fact, under the corresponding rates last season. Values of other cattle are:— Forward steers, £3 to £3 10s; stores, £2 5s to £2 15a; 2i-year steers, 35s to £2 ss; 18month, 20b to 30s; fresh-conditioned cows. 25s to 35s ; stores, 15s to 22s 6d; Jersey weaner heifers, best, to £2; medium, 25s to 32s 6d: smaller, from 15s to 22s 6d. STORE SHEEP ® This section shows a marked slackening, although at some centres fairly good competition is Btill to be witnessed. Store, lambs and cull ewes are the chief items. With occasional pens of wethers. In localities threatened with ragwort low price ewes jfre eagerly sought and as long as they fulfil this requirement are not subjected to too critical a scrutiny: 5s to 6s seems about the limit. Other rates are:—Forward wethers. 10s 6d to lis 6d; stores, 9s to 10s; forward lambs, to 8s; medium stores, 6s to 7s ; small, from 4s. PIGS This fast-developing industry continues its regular supply to the ealeyards. where it now assumes front rank in money value. Prices in all centres have been fairly consistent, but at Frankton this week, owing to the proximity of the holidays, fat buyers wero unable to onerate freely, and a decline of 3s to 4s was registered. Baconers sold to £2 6s; lighter, from 355; best porkers, to 335; medium, from 26s to 295; light, from .Or. FRUIT CANNING INDUSTRY AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION " PRESENT DUTIES ESSENTIAL" [by telegraph—own correspondent] NELSON. "Wednesday A cablegram from Melbourne last week stated that the new trade treaty between Australia and New Zealand provided, among other things, that Australia was to have the New Zealand market for dried and canned fruits and certain fresh fruits. Mr. Milner, managing director of S. Kirkpatrick and Company, Limited, in an interview said ho doubted if the message was correct as far as canned fruits were concerned. The terms of the treaty will not be announced until both Governments have had an opportunity of considering them, and will then havo to bo ratified by tho respective Parliaments. Mr. Milner stated it was absolutely essential to tho fruit canning and fruitgrowing industries of New Zealand that at least tho present duties on imported canned fruits from Australia should be maintained. Tho industry of fruit canning had developed rapidly in the past few years and Now Zealand was now able to cater for its own requirements in canned fruits, peaches, apricots, pears and small fruits. Fruit canning was dove-tailed with the primary industry of fruitgrowing, which supported many New Zealand families in close settlement. Fruit cannine was a very valuablo secondary industry, continued Mr. Milner, and was fully entitled to adequate protection.