APPLES FOR SWEDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 5

APPLES FOR SWEDEN

REDUCTION OF DUTY BENEFIT TO DOMINION (Received May 26, 5.5 r-Di.) LONDON. May 25 The Now Zealand Minister of Finance, Mr. J. G. Coates, states that he has successfully concluded with the Swedish Ambassador, Baron E. K. Palmstierna, the negotiations which the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, has conducted for some time for the removal of the extra duty of 2s a case on New Zealand apples and pears entering Sweden between May 1 and August 31. The agreement provides for the removal of the extra duty forthwith, and applies to fruit landed in Sweden since the beginning of May and still held in bond. Although too late to benefit some of the earlier varieties of the present season, this will materially increase the possibilities of later sorts,. like Sturmers, and will be very helpful in assisting New Zealand to regain the market from which she was partially excluded in 193-1 owing to the extra duty.

The Sun Herald news service says it understands the Swedish duty reductions apply to Australian apples also.

For some time Sweden has been one of New Zealand's best Continental markets for fruit. Last season fairly large quantities were sent from Nelson and Hawke's Bay and a small shipment of 3348 cases of apples and 500 cases of pears was sent from Auckland. The expansion of the Dominion's markets on the Continent has become very important since the withdrawal of German buying, and it is anticipated that the withdrawal of the extra duty of 2s a case will greatly stimulate exports to Sweden.

APPLES AND PEARS BETTER DEMAND IN ENGLAND (Received May 26. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 25 The demand for apples is increasing in London, Liverpool and Hull, and the prices being realised for slightly better quality fruit are improving as the season advances. New Zealand shipments generally are good. The pear trade also shows improvement as supplies from South Africa are diminishing. The outlook for both apples and pears appears to be promising. Quotations are: — New Zealand apples: Jonathans, 8s 9d to lis 9d; Sturmers, 9s 3d to lis 6d; Delicious, 10s 3d to lis 6d: Coxs, 17s 6d to 18s 6d; Granny Smiths, lis to 13s. Australian: C'leopatras, 8s to lis 3d; Scarlets, 8s 9d to 10s 6d; Coxs, 8s to 19s; Alfristons, 8s 6d to 10s 3d; Sturmers, 8s 6d to 10s 9d; Crabs, 8s 9d to 10s 6d; Ribsitons, Ss to 9s 9d; Jonathans, 6s to 10s 6d; Dunns, 8s 9d to 10s 9d; Granny Smith, 10s to 12s 6d; Delicious, Ss 6d to 10s 3d; Romes, 8s 9d to 9s 9d; London Pippins, 9s to 9s 9d. Pears:—Many are in a somewhat advanced condition, necessitating quick sale. New Zealand (boxes): Josephines, 8s to 10s 6d; Nelis, 8s to 9s 3d; Winter Coles, 7s 6d to Bs. Australian: Cornice, 9s 3d to 18s 6d; Boscs, 7s to 10s; Winter Coles, 7s Gd to 10s; Anjous, 10s to 10s 9d; Nelis, 7s to 9s; Packhams, 6s 9d to 10s.

CANTERBURY MARKETS PRICES FOR POTATOES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday There has been little change in the potato market during the week, _ although m some respects there is a slightly firmer tendency. It was thought the rough weather throughout Canterbury would hold up digging sufficiently to enable the surplus to be reduced. However, the suspension of digging was of very short duration and potatoes were being delivered to Lyttelton on Thursday. The Wingatui this week has taken approximately 7000 sacks, 4300 from the South and 2700 from Lyttelton. Two ships are due next week from Timaru and Lyttelton, the Kartigi and Waimarino. Values for prompt delivery at the moment are firm at £5 15s f.0.b., s.i., for Whites and £5 7s 6d for Dakotas. The latter have not improved during the week. Holders are asking £5 15s for Dakotas for June delivery and £6 5s for bites. Quotations to farmers are £4 5s for Dakotas and £4 10s for Whites.

There is a shade of firming for Partridge peas, due to a better market abroad. Quotations are 6s 6d f.0.b., s.i. There is no change in the oats market for A grade Gartons, which are quoted at 3s 2d f.0.b., s.i. Algerians have weakened a little and values to farmers are from 2s 3d to 2s 4d. Good Duns are scarce and are worth to 3s 3d on trucks.

Fowlwheat is unchanged at 4s 3§d a bushel for free and 4s 4d for board wheat.

Chaff is quoted at £3 5s a ton on trucks, but there is very little inquiry. The small seeds market is unchanged, but all classes are held firmly. Good quality onions are in very scarce supply, and for onions of quality from £l2 to £l2 10s a ton on trucks is available.

EXPANSION IN STEEL AUSTRALIAN PROGRESS A comparison of results in the steel industry in Australia, Britain and the United States is of interest. The Newcastle works of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company, Limited, are working at capacity at the rate of over 500,000 tons of steel ingots a year, and since the introduction of duties on semifinished steel, British manufacturers are experiencing a much larger demand. Dorman, Long and Companv, the builders of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, increased steel production by 45 per cent, to 923,000 tons, in the year ended September 30. and converted a small loss in 1933 into a profit of £38,154 sterling. Other English companies to show better results are Baldwin's, whose profits are £146,200 higher at £502.600, and Vickers, who have increased their profits by £147,200 to £613,300, and ordinary dividends from 4 per cent to 6 per cent. These English profits are stated in sterling. The great United States Steel Corporation enjoved slightly increased business in 1934," production of rolled and finished steel products being 6,005,000 tons, or 31 per cent of plant capacity, compared with 29 per cent of capacity in 1933. Shipments increased by 100,000 tons, but, unfortunately, the trend or business was not maintained, shipments falling from 48 per cent of capacity in the second quarter to 24 per cent for the remaining half of the year. Increased shipments and lower costs due to larger production resulted in the vear's loss being reduced to 21.bbb,U()U dollars (£5,630,000 in New Zealand currencv) compared with 36,501,000 dollars "(£9,125,000) in 1933. Average selling prices increased by 11 per cent for domestic shipments and 7 per cent for exports.