COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18720, 25 November 1922, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times office, Friday evening The name of Canada is mostly associated with its large wheat crop, which this year is expected to total 350,900,000 bushels. In addition, just as the United States is a large grower of maize, so Canada .produces other cereals on a huge scale. Estimates of this year's crops are all for larger yields than in 1921. They arc as follow:—Oats, 509,752,000 bushels; barley, 64,881,000 bushels; rye, 37,848,000 bushels; hay and clover, 15,545,000 tons. Tho yield ot potatoes is stated at 102,974,000 bushels. The wealth that comes to a country that can grow farm products on such a scale is immense. The Canadian Wheat Board was dropped because it was felt that it could not realise expectations. It may be revived later on, but with competition for , grain among buyers, the possibility is that the advantages of an open market will become so recognised that it will be difficult to induce the farmer to again forego them. Australia is justly proud of the late WiiHam J. Farrer, who did such splendid work in the production of rust and drought resisting wheats, and thereby enormously benefited farming throughout Australia (writes John Hain in the Sydney Daily Telegraph). He died without receiving any adequate recognition from any of the Australian States for which he had done such valuable work Fortunately, he was a rich man. and. the success of his work was its own reward. After his death there cam© a tardv recognition of his services. Of the 33 principal wheats Mr Farrer produced, 14 are still grown, and will continue to be, because not only are they drought and rust resisting t° a certain extent, but they have a high milling standard and are mainly medium to strong flour-producing varieties. He produced a wheat suitable for practically every portion of Australia, and his work has been of inestimable value to Australia and tho world. _ LOCAL MARKETS. Lines of wheat that nave just been threshed are still arriving. Millers, however, are not anxious to buy, and these lines are being gone over by the Govrnment grader. Some are, passed as of good quality, but the bulk will have to be disposed of _ as fowl wheat. Fowl wheat prices are easier, following on tho smaller demand from the North Island. The valne of good quality to-day is 4a- per bushel, flanks, extra, ex store. Undcr-grade quality is becoming difficult to sell, at prices ranging from 3s 9d to 3s Id, sacks extra The shipping quotations for fowl wheat are 4s 6d, f.0.b., sacks extra, but no business is passing at this price. It is reported from the north that lines have changed hands as low as 4s -ltd. sacks extra. Dunedin millers’ prices are as follow: Flour- 200 lb, £ls 10a per- ton; 100’s, £l6 10s; 50’s,, £l7; 25'a, £l7 10s. Bran, £5 10s per ton. Pollard, £B. Oatmeal: 25 s. £18; 200’s, £l7. , , ,_ , ■ Milling wheat (prices to the end of February), according to Government regulations: Tuscan, 5s lOfd, f.ob.; Hunter’s 6s ltd: Pearl, Gs 7Jd. ' Tho oat market is very quiet, and only small parcels of A grade are being sold, at about 3s 2d, f.0.b., s.i. B grade are on offer at 3s, with few lots changing hands. Inquiries have been received from Australia, but the shipping hold-uo has prevented any business being done. The inquiry is for under-grade, which before the hold-up were being sold to Australia at 2s 101 a, f.ob., si. The dry weather in Australia is causing merchants ther© to go into the question of buying forward,' March, April, May deliverv, from New Zealand. Business could be done on tho basis of 3s f.0.b., s.i., lor B’s. Local merchants, however, arc not inclined to favour this forward business, as they consider it too far and too xiskv* PRODUCE REPORT. Good quality chaff is now coming to hand. The demand, however, is quiet, and the highest price to-day is £4 10s per ton, sacks extra, ex truck, Dunedin Consignments ct medium quality have also been coming to hand, but in view cf the quantity of medium lines' at present held in stores these have been very difficult to place. Now that demand for old season’s potatoes -from the North Island has ceased, Canterbury lines arc being sent to the Dunedin market. Prices are irregular, and range according to quality, from £7 to £9 per ton, sacks included. Californian onions are scarce. Further supplies are expected at the end of next The price of eggs remains unchanged Hams ate scarce and prices are firm. Current local wholesale prices are as follow ; .. Chaff.—Good quality, to £4 10s; medium and light, £2 10s to £3. Potatoes, £7 to £0 per ton. ' Dairy Butter.—Bulk, Is lid; pats, Is Id; milled. Is lid. Eggs.—Stamped, Is to Is Id; ordinary, Is to lid. Bacon. —Rolls, Hid per lb; sides, 10Jd Hama, Is Id; boneless, Is 3d ' FRUIT REPORT. Business in tho fruit marts has been restricted owing to the shortage of oranges and lemons, Tho Paloona is due from Melbourne on Sunday, but it is not expected that she will havo much citrus fruit on board. Fair supplies of Sturmer apples have arrived! from Canterbury cool stores. These met a ready sale at first but the derr.ar.o cased off towards the end of the week, following on fair supplies of Airercans The Tahiti, due in Wellington next week, is expected to bring supplies of bananas, lemonda, oranges, and onions for the local market. Cherries and strawberries are arriving in increased quantities. The mar lee t, howeevr, could do with greater supplies of both fruits. A feature of the week has beep tho very large quantity of lettuces which hav« beer, sent in. The demand, however, is equal to tho supply. New potatoes have corre forward more plentifully, and prices have eased a little. Supplies of green peas are not equal to ■ the demand, and prices have advanced

Cauliflowers meet a fair sale. Cabbages, new turnips, and carrots have to food sale. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Apples: Sturmcrs. extra choice, to 15s 6dl; Knkowoocl, prims, IDs to 12s; small, ss. Tomatoes: Christchurch hothouse, 2s to 2s CJd per lb. Bananas; Kino, 42s to 455. Rhubarb, to 3s per dozen bunches, each of lib; loose, 2d per lb. Cherries; Best, Is to Is Gel per lb; good, lOd to Is; medium Gd to 9cl. Lettuce: Extra choice, Is Gd to 2s per dozen; good. Is per dozen, medium, Is to 2s Gd per case of two to three dozen Spring onions, 3d to 4d per bundle. Radish, Gd to 9d per dozen. Asparagus, Gs to 7s a dozen bunches. White turnips, Is 2d to Is Gd per dozen bunches. New carrots, Is Gd to Is 9d per dozen bunches. Cauliflowers, Gs to 12s per sack; loose, 5a to 9s per dozen. Cabbages, 7s to 10s per sack; medium, 4s to 6s; small, Is Cd to 3s. New potatoes: Auckland. 2d to 3d per lb; Peninsula, 3Jcl to 4d per lb. Green peas, IJd to 5Jd per lb. Cucumbers, 6s to 12s per dozen. VICTORIAN MARKETS. MELBOURNE, November 24. Barley: English, 3s 9d to 3s lOJd; Chip®, 2s lOd to 2s lid. Oats: Algerian, 3s 8d to 3s BJcT. Potatoes, £ll to £ll 10s. Onions, £ll to £ll 10s.

CANTERBURY MARKETS. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, November 21. Business has been fairly brisk during the week, and as a result of an improving market for wool and meat there is a much more buoyant attitude generally. This is particularly noticeable a-s far as the North Island merchants are concerned. They are now prepared to operate more extensively. Interest has been imparted to the new season’s wheat prices by the report that millers have don© business at 5s at country stations. Oats have also been sold, forward for Australia for March and April delivery, on a basis of 2s 5d to 2s 6d to farmers. There is still a good deal of anxiety in parts of the commonwealth on account of the dry season, and a continued inquiry is expected for white clover and cow grass, both of which have been the medium of considerable business with the Old Country. White clover has been sold at 225 s per cwt, c.i.f., .super machine-dressed, equal to Is Gd and Is 8d per lb to farmers, and cowgrass at 135 s to 145 s per cwt, f.0.b., from Ud to lljd to farmers.

Business has been fairly heavy in cowgrass. The forecasted glutting ,o£_ the Home market with American cowgraes is not materialising. < Both perennial and Italian ryegrass are meeting with a firm inquiry on a basis of up fo 5s 6d, f.0.b., a.i., for machine-dressed, or about 4a at country stations. Barley is meeting with a revival. A fair amount of secondary malting barley has been sold at 3s 9d per bushel at country stations. Several extensive shipments have gone Home, the present English quotations providing a margin on the figures ruling here some time ago. It is stated that ‘business has been done in the new season’s crop at ,4s 3d per bushel, imports from the south are that Wakatipu growers have sold at 3s 6d and 4s 6d at Frankton wharf, Lake Wakatapu. According to the licensing vote, it 16 '«««- stood that one or mote North Island breweries have contracted at 3s 3d to 4s 9d. It is understood that there is a very much reduced area in barley _ this scason ; aM , q Speculation business in the new seasons potatoes has taken place. From £o os has been the basis of their operations for whites for April and May delivery, but < to 12s 6d lias been the figure for f.a.q. fi.

SOUTHLAND MARKET REPORT. INVERCARGILL, November 24. Oats —There is rather a downward tendency in respect to the oat market just in the meantime, as the inquiry from Australia has slackened. Something in nature of a. shipment to the Old Country is bein« r mado next week, but tins is oniy of small dimensions, and thol^ ff stocks slightly cannot have much effect on values Prices are on a basis of 2s 4d per bushef on trucks, sacks extra, to growers for A grade Gartens. _ , ( -" n ,, fr The supply is m excess or tho demand, and merchants aro unv.-ilhng to accept the very pnmest quality at £3 10s Per ton on trucks, sacks supplied, by the buyer. Very little business is passing, as tho outside market is quite closed to SO Ryegra,ss.—A strong demand exists from the northern centres, and as stocks in merchants’ hands are on the light side,. prices during tho last fortnight have been decidedly firmer. Stocks in growers hands are now almost exhausted, and any lots that could possibly bo offered would find buyers at 3s 9d per bushel for well-milled 351 b seed. Wheat. —Considerabe quantities of undergrade wheat are being offered, much of which is of inferior quality, and for only a small quantity of this is it possible to find an output even on tho local market. Good whole fowl wheat would bring the grower 3s 8d per buehcl on trucks, sacks extra, at handy sidings. , , . Stock. —During tho week the fat stock market has not altered; in fact, prices are on a parity witK thoso quoted last ‘W’bok. There is a noticeable change in store sheep, those having risen considerably; in fact, the store market is very buoyant. A good dea. of business has been done for forward delivery sheep, graziers and dealers buying two, four and six-tooth wethers, off shears, for delivery in January freely. There lias also been a good deal of buying m paddock lambs, as high as 21s per head having been realised for good lots. The following prices may bo quoted:— •, Fat Cattle.—Extra prime ox beef, from 2as to 25s pfr 1001 b; average prime, from 22s to 21s; light and unfinished, 21s; extra prime heifer beef, to 225; extra prime cow, 17s to 18s; extra prime bullocks, up to £l3 7s 6d; average prime, £3 10a to £lO 10s; light and unfinished, £7; extra prime heifers, from £9 to £10; average, £7 to £7 15s; unfinished, to £5 10s; extra prime cows, from £6 to £7; average, £5 to £5 10s; unfinished, £3 10s.-, Fat Sheep.—Extra prime woolly wethers, up to 40s; average prime, 34s to 365; light and unfinished sorts, to 28s; extra prime shorn wothers, from 23s to 28s 9d; average prime, from 2Gs to 26s 6d; light end unfinished, to 245; extra prime ewes in the wool, to S3s; extra prime shorn ewes, to Storo Cattle. —Forward three and fonr-year-old bullocks, from £6 to £6 15s; two-year-old bullocks, £3 10s to £4 Ss; yearling steers, from 30s to 50s, according to condition and breeding. A complete herd of 50 dairy cows was sold during tho week at an average of £9. Extra good dairy cows, £l2; average £9 to £3 10s; inferior sorts, £4. Store Sheep.—Forward four and six-tooth wethers, from 24s to 26s 6d ; two-tooth wothers, from 21s 6d to 22s 6d; f and f ewes, with lambs at foot, 15s to IGs 6d (all counted); inferior sorts, 12s 6d (all counted); extra good ewes, with lambs at foot (all counted), 21s to 22s 6d; extra good ewo hoggets, up to 265; average, 23s 6d to 24s Gel; extra good wether hoggets, from 21s to 22s 6d; inferior, to 18s; two-tooth wethers,, off shears, for delivery in January, 18s to 10s; four and six tooths, off shears, for delivery in January, 20s to 21s; paddock lambs for delivery at weaning time, 20s to 21s; average paddock lambs, 18s to 19s 6d. WEEKLY REPORT. Fraser and Co., auctioneers, produce merchants, commission agents, and agents for the Otago Egg Circle, 14G Crawford street, Dunedin, report:—Eggs: We quote EggCircle eggs. Is to Is Id; plain, lOd to lid. Butter: Market easing; pats Is to Is Id; bulk, Is 3d. Pigs: Number offering is equal to demand, and prices are still steady. W© quote bacon pigs to Bid per lb; porkers, (Ed, over-weights, 3d to 4d per lb. Tallow; Market stationary from IGs to 23s per cwt, according to quality. Honey: Demand is poor. Prices are nominal. Prime bulk, to 61d; 10lb tins, Go to 7s; beeswax, Is 6d per lb. Potatoes: Market linn at £8 10s to £O. Green peas, 4d per lb. Californian onions, 37s 6d per case. Wo have the Otago agency for the Champion egg crates, price 17s 6d each. Orion Colony brooder, £l2 10s. Cronin’s Fireless Hot brooder, £2 19s Gd. ’ W© stock “Star P" poultry mash, “Star P” chick food and lucerne meal, fowl wheat, Jubilee incubators, Palmer’s food. Prices on application. Poultry; Larger number offering and prices arc slightly easier. Wo quote: Hens, 4s to 5s per pair; cockerels, 5s to Gs per pair; roosters, 4s per pair; ducks, to 7s 6d per pair. “O* 1 - CHEESE MARKET. Messrs J, Nathan and Co. report as follows under date November 20: There is no New Zealand cheese being offered on tho London market. Canadian is quoted at 12Gs to 128 s, Buyers are still operating, and anything close to London is easily sold. It is thought that tho present strong position will be. maintained up till the middle of February at least, but. it is still impossible to effect sales for outputs later than December. “ CONSIGN YOUR EGGS AND BUTTER” To BRAY BROS., Fruit and Dairy Produce Auctioneers, STAFFORD STREET, DUNEDIN. Prompt attention given to correspondence.