THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 13

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday evening. The new. scale of voluntary rations in order to economise in the consumption of breadstuU's in Great Britain is dealt with by the London Grain, Seed, and Oil Reporter on November 19. This journal states: "Assuming the future average consumption per head to be for males olb, for females 41b, and that the population, after deducting one million for very young children ana very old men, who would con'sume little or no bread, is 47 millions, tho consumption of wheat per annum wouid be approximately 224,000,000 bushels on a prewar basis; but, allowing for a reduction of 20 per cent, on account of the increased extraction of flour from wheat, and tho admixture of maize, eto., consumption would reach only 179,200,000 bushels, to which has to bo added 8,000,000 bushels for seeding purposes. This year's crop in tho United Kingdom is estimated at nearly 64,000,000 bushels, so that it would be necessary to import about 124,000,000 bushels of wheat. It will also be necessary' to import fair quantities of maize, oats, etc., for mixing purposes. In pre-war years tho consumption of wheat in the United Kingdom wa3 273,600,000 bushels, including \ seed, so that if Sir A. Yapp's scheme is complied with there will be a very important saving in home requirements of 41,600,000 bushels of wheat per annum " The emphasis which has been placed by tho Food Controllers of tho Allies on the necessity for economy in foodstuffs has been appreciated by the various nations, and . America is not backward in 'this respect. Official reports of tho United States show a decrease of "20 per cent, in the home consumption of flour, and if this economy continues throughout the season it will give roundly an additional 100,000,000 bushels of wheat for export from that country, which is the extra quantity Mr Hoover said he expected to obtain as the result of the economy campaign. Cargoes and parcels of Australian wheat are not offering in London. The commission has released a small quantity on spot, which was quickly sold at late rates. The North American visible supply east of the Rocky Mountains is estimated at 21,966,000 bushels, against 23,481,000 bushels a week ago and 66.483,000 bushels a year ago. Wheat crops in Otago—particularly in. the Otago Central —are now being cut, and it is anticipated that this new season's wheat will be available in about a fortnight. Can-terbury-grown wheat should be available in Dunedin shortly. Some samples of the northern-grown cereal have already come to hand, and the quality is very high grade. If the bulk thrashes out as well there should be no complaints of the quality of the flour this year. There are complaints from, the growers in tho Taieri that the crops are too heavy and lying down, with the result that a fair portion of the wheat will be shrivelled. Flour 'is quoted at £ls a ton. Oatmeal, '£2l a ton for 25's; pearl barley, £l9 10s; pollard. £7 10a (fixed by Government) ; bran, £4 -*ss (fixed by Government). Government prices for wheat: 5s lOd per bushel all round for February, March, and April delivery. \ The demand for oats from the North Island is on tho quiet side. It is reported that recent shipments of Australian Algerians are offering ex the wharf at Wellington and Auckland at 3s A fair quantity of old oats have been on offer in Dunedin, holders being anxious to quit their stocks before the arrival of the new season's crop. A line of B Gartons has-' been bought from the Gore district through store on a basis of 3s 9d f.0.b., s.i., and a parcel of sparrows at Id lees per bushel. Practically no new season's oats are _ offering yet, the only reported transaction in these for forward delivery being a line at 3s 6d on trucks. Taieri. . This line is expected to thrash out a particularly heavy line for milling purposes Several samples of new season's ryegrass aro on the market, and sales have been made from 3s 6d to 4s, according to quality. Lighter weight samples have been offering, but there are no buyers. Reports from the south indicate a very large crop. PRODUCE REPORT. Tho demand for chaff is on the quiet side, but although there is very little arriving it is quite sufficient to meet requirements. Good quality is selling up to £6 15s, ex truck. Medium is slow of sale at £4 to £5 per ton. The low prices for potatoes ruling last week stopped growers from digging, and now the market is again bare of stocks. Good heavy potatoes aro worth to-day up to £6 10s, with not a great deal offering. Tho straw market is bare. Wheaten is saleable up to £3 10s a ton. A small yarding of pigs was offered at Burnside on Wednesday, and all were sold at prices tequal to late rates. Best* baconcrs made from 8d to per lb, and best porkers up to per lb. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Fowl wheat.—Australian. 7s, 6d a bushel; Now Zealand-grown, unprocurable. Chaff.—Prime oaten sheaf, about £6 15s; medium to good, £4 to £4 15s (sacks extra). Potatoes.—£s 10s to £6 10s per ton. Straw.—Oaten, £3 10s; wheaten, £3 5s to £3 10s. Eggs, Is 3d. Butter.—Milled bulk, Is Id to Is 2d per lb; second quality, Is; dairy separator, in lib packages, Is to Is Id. Honey.—Old stocks exhausted. Prices for new season's not yet named. Pigs.—Baconers, 7 id to Bid per lb; porkers, Bid. Bacon.—Rolls, local. Is 3d; Chnstchuroh rolls, Is 3d; sides, Is 3d; hams, Is 3d; ham rolls. Is 3d. FRUIT REPORT. Business has been brisk in the fruit marts during the week. Large consignments of apples, plums, and tomatoes are coming forward from Canterbury. These meet with a good demand at satisfactory prices to the seller, except in the case of plums, which are not arriving in very good order. Pears aro arriving from Otago Central and Ohristchurch. and are realising fairly good prices. Growers are now exercising greater caro, and sending in their best fruit only. Supplies of apricots are now easing off. The latest indicate that tho growers are cleaning up their orchards. Peaches aro in good demand, and have sold very well during the week'. Tomatoes aro still realising what aro considered very high prices for this time, of the year, locally-grown hothouse occasionally reaching lOd per lb. A considerable quantity of French beans has arrived from Central Otago, Canterbury, and North Otago. Tho sample from Otago Central goes to show that French

Somo of the oats crops in tho Mastertou district have suffered badly from the do; predations of small birds.

beans oan bo grown to perfection in this locality. A few cases of dessert apples are due to arrive on tho market. These should meet with a good demand, as old stocks of American are about finished. No bananas have come forward for some time, and there is no advice when another shipment will arrive. Agents' stocks of American oranges are getting into small compass, and no advice has been received of fresh supplies. The wholesale market is quite bare _of lemons. Advice has been received of a line of American-grown, and these should meet jwith' a ready sale. A good demand exists for green peas, prime samples bringing np to 3Ad per lb. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Apples. —American, agents' stocks about finished. Clearing sales have been made from 5s to 8s per case. Best American, 12s to 14e; new season's, dessert, 2d to 2£d; <*ookors, l£d to 2d Oranges.—Californian, slow of sale, at 2os Lemons. —None available. Keen demand. Cucumbers.—Local, 5s to 9s; small, 3s to sa. Plums.—Dessert, in crates, to 3id; others, Sid to 3d; jam, lgd to 2d Apricots.—Cases, 2d to 3d; for jam, l£d 4o 2d; crates, 3d to 4d. Nectarines, in crates, to 6d per lb; in cases, 3£d to 4 id. t Poaches. —Cases, 2£d to 3d; crates, to sd; jam, 2id to 2£d. Tomatoes. —Local, to lOd : Christchurch, C<3 to 9d; .outside. 4id to 6id; Nelson, to' 8s 6d v per case of 241 b. Raspberries, to 7id. Grapes, Is Id to Is 3d. Green peas, 2£d to 3id. New Potatoes. —Peninsula, to 9s 4d per cwi; Oamaru and Christchurch. 4s to 6s. Cabbages.—Choice, up to Is 9d per dozen; Inferior, Is to 2s per sack. Cauliflowers, up t</ 8s per dozen; medium, 2s 6d to 4s. Lettuce, 2s to 2s 6d per case; choice, Is 6d per dozen. Parsnips. •Is to Is 6d per dozen. Carrots, new, Is 3d to Is 6d per dozen. Spring onions, 2d to 3d per bundle. Radishes. 4d to 6d per dozen bunches, jfrench beans, 2d to 3d: butter beans, 2d to 2id; brcrad boa re*, l^d. MERCHANDISE MARKET. Scrubb'a ammonia has been reduced to 15s 6d per dozen bottles. A special agency line—Koalero powder—has made its appearance on the market, and is quoted at 8s 6d per dozen packets. Koa lore is mixed with water, and used to gave coal. It is manufactured .in England. Colonial starch has been advanced to £6O per ton for parcels and £62 for lib packets. Supplies of AVa.lki.eo herrings have just reached tho market. Further supplies of Goddard's plate powder, Stecdman's soothing powders, and Solazzi liquorice are due to arrive shortly. Messrs Coleman have increased the price of Iheir mustard by 2d per lb. Local stocks are on the light side. A. and P. chick and calf foods show an increased cost. Highlander milk is now quoted at 28s 6d a caso. Australian shippers advise that quotations for rico havo had to bo withdrawn. It should- bo noted that shippers in Australia ' are- compelled to obtain Government permission beforo shipping foodstuffs.

Barry's tricopherous is now worth about 20s a dozen. A further increase has taken place in tho price of geneva, dry gin, and brandy. '■ There is a likelihood that all tinned goods i will shortly become even dearer than they ; aro at present. a result of diminI ished supplies. A shipment of Black Horse coarse salt is duo to arrive, March-April delivery. Muhak insect powder is aga'n on the market. _ A shipment of Jordan "almonds has arrived. Tho current quotation is 3s 6d per lb. A parcel of Japanese butter beans has just been landed. _ Old Gold cigarette tobacco is getting a little short in supply. One or two local firms, however, are still holding stocks. Imp soot destroyer is still available. The price is 7s per dozen. Tho recent shipment of Big Tree benzine has all been sold. A parcel of Queensland pine apples has arrived on tho market. These are meeting v/ith a ready sale at 13s 6d per dozen tins. COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, February 1. Bank of England returns: —Gold coin and bullion in hand; £57,485,000; reserve, £21,161,000; proportion of reserve to liabilities, 19.36 per cent; notes in circulation, £45,896,000; Govt, deposits, £36,237,000; other deposits, £122,644,000; Government securities, £56,876,000; other securities, £91,890,000. Discount on short loans, 3| per cent.; three months' bills, 4 per cent. Consols, £54 10s. War loans—3i per cent., £B6 7s 6d; 4 per cent., £93 ss. Quotations for colonial stocks, as compared with those for the previous week: — Jan. 21. Jan. 31. Victorian i'a ... — !J6J !)6^ Victorian Victorian Si's * 85 85i Victorian 3's ... G2 62J New South Wales 4's S2£ 82 Now South Wales Si's 100 J 100 J New South Wales Si's f 70 6Djj New South Wales 3's 70i 70J Queensland 4's &1J- !)1£ Queensland 3A's 'B9 88J Queensland 3's 61 C2 New Zealand 4's 86J BGJ New Zealand SJ's 72i 72J New Zealand 3's* 83J 63 South Austtralinn 3}'s 72 72* South Australian 3's 57 SGJ Tasmanian 3.Vs 72$ 705 Tasmanian 3's • ... 65 65 West Australian 3J's 74J 74 West Australian S's G 9 69*

* 1921-6 currency. f 1920-30 currency. Tin—Spot, £297 15s; three months, £295 Iss. Silver, 4Sid per ounce. Other metals unchanged. I'ho smallnoss of the offerings of wheat restricted business. There were a few dealings in Australian at 73s 6cl. Flour. —Small supply ; prices unchanged. Oats.—ln strong demand at full rates. - Beans: —Firm. New Zealand, none offering. Feas.—Advancing. New Zealand and Tasmanian blues, 665; maploß, 130 s to 140 s. Sugar.—Unchanged. February 2. Tallow in stock, 1277 casks; imports, 269 casks; deliveries, 1085 casks.

Hemp: In good demand, particularly spot. Rubber: Para, 2s 7gd; plantation, 2s 3d; smoked, 2s 3id. Rabbits: Colonial, none offering;. Lamb: New Zealand, 10£d. DUNEDLN MARKF.TS. PABM AND DAISY PBODUCB. Mr B. J. M'Abthtjr (successor to Messrs M'llroy Bros), George street, reports paying for produce during the week ending the 6th. inst., as follows: Ssauiptd Ere.sb Ksgs I Hocey (Jib pat), 3/6 1/5 doz Honey (bulk), s£d lb Salt But e.-, 1/- lb | Honey (section), 7/6 doz Sep. liutur, 1/-ib j Honey (Cartons), lib, t;/I 2lb, 15/- doz I Beeswax, 1/8. Compressed yeast, 8d packet. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. WELLINGTON, February 4. The High Commissioner reported as follow on February 2 (Note: The quotations, unless otherwise specified, are the average market pricci on spot):— Meat.' —The market remains unchanged. All descriptions are in active demand, with short supplies, and are selling at the maximum prices. A limited amount of New Zealand lamb has been released by order of the Government at lljd. No supplies of Argentine beef are available. Frozen American beef is being offered in .the market by order of tho Government at the maximum prices— and Butter and Cheese.—There has been no change since last report. A small supply continues in active demand at the maximum prices. Hemp.—ln regard to Manila hemp there is nothing fresh here. Reports indicate that the United States Government will take control of the purchase and distribution, but no definite information is available. The output for tho third week in January was 19,000 bales. In tho New Zealand hnmp market business is dull, and is confined to parcels already shipped. Buyers are not disposed to go on at present prices in view/of the uncertain delivery. Wheat and Oats.—The market is very quiet, with no change in prices. SOUTHLAND MARKET REPORT. (Faoii Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, February 2. There is a very steady inquiry from the North Island for oats, and small sales havo been made at 4s for A grade Gartons. Stocks on merchants' hands are now well nigh cleared out, the only lots in store being held on farmers' account. Prices to farmers are nominally from 3s Id to 3s 3d and a shade better at handy sidings. The chaff market lias a somewhat easier tendency owing to farmers rushing supplies on the market, consequently, supplies being rather in excess of the demand, prices dropped to £6 on trucks for prime quality. Thrashing operations _ for ryegrass have commenced in most, districts, and a few lines have been offered during the. week, and a certain amount of buying lias been done. Merchants are rather anxious owing to tho largo crop in Canterbury. Lightweight seed, which is prevalent, is worth from 2s 8d to 3s, these figures depending on cleanness. Ono or two extra heavy lines have been disposed' of at 3s 6d to 3s 7d on

trucks. It is evident that there is a fair quantity of light seed, due to the frost in tho early part of December, but a quantity of good heavy-weight seed is almost certain, which will bo quite equal to last season's, as a considerable greater acreage of seed has been harvested. The hemp market is in a decidedly unsettled state,. the only buyers who are anxious to do business being those who require to cover commitments made some time back. In these quarters £47 on trucks may bo obtained for high fair, but those merchants who are not compelled to buy consider market value some £5 to £6 less. THE OAMARU MARKETS. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, February 2. Tho weather this week, with the exception that Monday was the wettest day of tho month, has been excellent for harvest purposes. Everyone is now busy with tho work, which has made great progress. A largo amount of thrashing from the stook has been done, only a very limited number of farmers putting their grain into stack. The thrashing of wheat has been commenced in some localities, and will become, much more general in the incoming week. No samples have yet been submitted, but the earliest are expected to make their appearance in tho course of a week or so. Oats are coming on the market a little more freely, but most growers are too busy with harvesting their wheat to give time to marketing oats. The samples forward show a wido range in tho matter of quality, and what business have been dono has been at variotis prices. A prime heavy line of Gartons up to milling quality found a buyer at 3s 6d net on trucks at a country station, but other sales of tho same variety havo been made at from 3s 2d to 3s 2d net, at country stations. A very lino line of Algerians was ttaken at a country station at 3s 3d net, and other lighter samples were sold at 3s 2d net, delivered in Oamaru, and 3s net on trucks. A number of small lines of cape barley are reported. Some of these were affected by smut, and were quitted at 3s 6d net, at country stations, but prime quality has been sold at up to 4s 3d net on trucks. A line of Chevalier barley, rather light, was sold at a country station at ss, the price being subject to commission. Some samples of ryegrass seed have been submitted. Tho quality is not up to the mark, and the only sale reported was made at 3s 3d, less comirussion, at a country station. GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALES. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report as follows: —Oats: Cutting of the new season's crop has now commenced in some parts, and, given fine weather, harvesting will be general in a week or 'two. Very little business is passing in old season's oats. All bright # heavy lines offering are readily sold on arrival at quotation. The quantity coming forward is not large and stocks in store are light. Good, stout, short oats are also meeting a good demand for local fowl feed requirements. Prime milling, 3s 9d to 3s lOd; good to best feed, 3s 7d to 3s 2d; medium to good, 3s 3d to 3s 6d per bushel (sacks extra). _ Wheat: Practically no wheat of any description offering. Pota-

toes: Consignments during the past week have been Tighter, farmers in many cases being busy with harvesting operations, and values have firmed. Choice freshly-dug lines are in most request, and are meeting ready sale at quotations. Good tables, £5 10s to £6 per ton (bags in). Chaff: Consignments of good quality are not heavy, and all lots of this description, meet ready sale. Medium quality and light lines are more plentiful, and, being out of favour with are more difficult to place.Choice quality, £7 to £7 ss; good oaten sheaf, £6 10s to £7; medium quality, £1 10s to £5 10s; light and inferior, from £3 per ton (sacks extra). Messi-s Donald Reid and Co. report:— < Oats: During the past week there has been some inquiry for the new season's milling Cartons. So far practically no thrashing has been done locally, but the few rubbedout samples 'to hand show the quality and colour to be quite satisfactory, and, if thrashed in good condition, the oats should meet with ready sale for immediate delivery. Local business is chiefly confined to the sale of small lots of last season's oats ex stores. Prime milling, 3s 9d to 3s 10d; good to best feed, 3s 7d to 3s 8d; inferior to medium, 3s to 3s 6d per bushel (sacka extra). Wheat: None offering. Potatoes: Supplies have, slackened to some extent, and values show an improvement on last week's quotations. Best freshly-dug lots are saleable at £5 15s to £6; others, £4- 10a to £5 10s per ton (sacks included). Chaff: ' Consignments of medium quality continue to arrive, but prime oaten sheaf, which has most inquiry, is not plentiful, and commands ready sale on arrival. Best oaten sheaf, £6 15s to £7; choice, to £7 ss: medium to good, £6 to £6 10s; light and discoloured, £4 10s to £5 10s per .ton (bagsextra). Grass seed : There is good demand for heavy lines of perennial and for wellmarked "Italian ryegrass. Samples of the new crop are now on the market, and heavy seed is saleable at 3s 6d to 4s per bushel on truck at country stations. A number of the samples offering are too light for buyers' fancy, and these are difficult to place. * Cocksfoot meets with good inquiry, best samples realising lOd to lid per lb ex truck. SOUTHLAND FROZEN MEAT COMPANY. The directors' report of the Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Export Company states that the net profit for the year is £20,265 0s 7d, and 'this, together with the amount brought. forward from last _ year leaves a balance available for appropriation of £30,479 14s Id, which the directors recommend should bo disposed of as follows: To add to the building fund, £10,000; to pay a dividend of 5 per cent, and a bonus of 5 per cent, on the paid-up capital, £6828 6s; leaving an amount to carry forward of £13,651 8s Id. In order to meet the demand for increased storage, in consequence of the shortage of shipping, extensive additions have been made to the Makarcwa works and plant. HAWKE'S BAY RAM FAIR. HASTINGS, January 31. On the first day of the Hawko's Bay ram fair there was a fairly largo attendance. Heavy rain fell in the afternoon. Prices did not rule as high as those of _ last yeojy and numerous lines were passed in. Ave*^

age prices were obtained for flock sheep. In Lincoln stud rams tho best figure obtained was 95gs for a one-shear bred by Mr W. 11. C4aisford (Dannevirke). Romnoy stud rams realised good jiriccs, the highest figure- being 210 gs for a two-shear bred by Mr W. Eaynor (Mastorton). Tho purchaser was Mr J. O'Grady (Gisborne). Last year's rocord price was a stud Lincoln at 205 gs. OTAGO FARMERS' HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers' Co-operativp Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) report: We held our annual harvest sale- of Clydesdalo mares and geldings, work horses, springcarters, expressers, harness, and hackney sorts on Saturday. The entry totalled 128, oomprising lorry pairs, useful plough teams, Vanners, lightest sorts of crossbred geldings suitable for plough teams on light iandl. Tho spring-carters were not a good Class with the exception of about half a <3ozen; Tho harness and hackneys were also ihediocre. The attendance was heavy, the bazaar being crowded with buyers and spectators. Bidding was anything but spirited, except for mares or geldings_ of special merit, which were in the minority. The highest price obtained was for a really good class of Clydesdalo mare, 6 years old, vended by Mr George Hodgins, of Maniototo, and under keen competition she feel jto the bid of Mr J. Brinsden, Kaikorai. j[n geldings the highest price was obtained for a threc-year-oljl at £27. Prices in the section described as useful plough sorts ran from £l4 "lo £lB, and £22. There were buyers from the north for heavy geldings, but unfortunately in this section the catalogue was void. Spring-carters were selling from £lO to £ls. Harness horses and hackneys, a large number from South Canterbury and further north, were hard to quit at small prices. However, on the whole, the sale was fairly satisfactory. Seventy horses changed hands, a large number going to the country, north, south, and west;, in fact, the bulk of purchases were made by up-country people.