CANTERBURY MARKETS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24783, 6 December 1941, Page 2

CANTERBURY MARKETS

QUIET PERIOD IN TRADE

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 5. There has been no activity worth mentioning in the grain and produce markets this week, and every section of the trade is very quiet, the only activity being a few overseas orders, mainly for small seeds.

The potato crop is now cleaned up. The recent dry weather has in sonic districts threatened to decrease the crop of clover for seed. Previously it looked as though there would be an exceptional year for this crop. It is unlikely that there will be much activity in any department of the trade until well into the New Year.

JAPAN AS WOOL BUYER COMPARISON WITH LAST WAR Japan's position as a manufacturer of woollen goods, is in contrast with her experience in 1914-18, states Winchcombe, Carson, Ltd. In 1913-14 her wool purchases in Australia were 20.500 bales. Her mill industry expanded because of war-' time opportunity to gain export markets', and by 1921-22 she bought 10 times the quantity of the sheep's staple which she secured in the pre-war season mentioned. Present conditions have resulted in a curtailment of Japanse mill activity. Her imports of wool from all sources have been less than half the total of a few years ago, and her ability to produce substitute fabrics has been drastically curtailed because of her inability to secure the necessary wood pulp. A few years ago it was freely anticipated that Japan would eventually use 1.000,000 bales of wool annually. What a pity that changed circumstances have so altered that prospect. The sheep owner benefited by her demand for his product, and reliabie reports emphasised the advantages of health and comfort which had been enjoyed by the Japar.3se people from the use oi woollens.

SULPHIDE CORPORATION • The annual meeting will be held on December 23. A preference dividend. of 5 per cent, will be payable on December 30 (deduct income tax at 7s 3d, being 10s less 2s 9d relief). The preference registers will be closed from December 15 to 27.

AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGES (Rec. 0.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 5. The tone of the share market to-day was firmer in spite of the . paucity of business. The Morning Sales.—Tooths, £2 10s 3d; Broken Hill (Proprietary. £1 17s; Australian Consolidated Industries, £2 2s; Anthony Hordern (pref.), £1 2s 3d; Associated News, 10s 6d: South British Insurance, £3 3s. Additional Sales.—Consolidated Industries, £2 2s; Newbold, £1 4s; W. H. Soul, £3 7s; United Provisions, 8s lOd; Adams, 15s 4d; Associated News, 10s 6d; Winchcombe, Carson, £1 .4s 9d; British Tobacco, £2 2s 6d; Mount Morgan, 9s. MELBOURNE, Dec. 5. Drug Houses, £1 8s 7d; National Bank (£lO paid), £ll ss; Dunlops, £1 3s 7d; Emperor, 9s; Lolomar £1; Broken Hill Pty., £1 17s; North Broken Hill, £1 19s.