THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 12

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday evening. The Government’s decision, as announced bv the Hon. W. Nos worthy, Minister of Agriculture, not to continue to guarantee a price for wheat was discussed at the meeting of the North Canterbury Executive oi the Farmers’ Union on Wednesday. In reply to the executive’s resolution regarding guaranteed prices for next seasons’ wheat, the Hon. W. Nosworthy wrote: “ I have' to inform you that the various representations of Farmers’ Unions have received the consideration of the Government; but, in view of the fact that the duty on wheat and flour imported into this country, from Australia has been increased on a parity with the duty imposed on similar articles imported into that country from the dominion, it has been decided not to guarantee any prices for the ensuing wheat, crop. With reference to your inquiry as to the conditions under which wheat classed under grade could be exported, I am going into this matter, and hope to be in a position to write you further within the course of a few days.” The Chairman read a letter he had received from Mr Macpherson, chairman of the Otago Provincial Executive, 6tating that that executive had considered the question, and there was a small majority against a guaranteed price; this was due, he thought, to the absence of wheat-growing members on the executive. Reference to complaints against the grading of this season’s wheat were also made at the meeting of the North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union. Mr G. W. Leadley said that the Government had taken for export 50,000 sacks of first-grade wheat. For the present millers had sufficient stocks to go on with, and were not going to spend thousands of pounds filling up their stores with wheat that they knew they could get later on at the same prices. That was the reason for the present slackness in purchasing by the millers. — Mr W. A. Banks (the chairman) said that some farmers were grumbling about the grading. Ho had asked two to send samples and to state the reason given by the grader why they were rejected; the samples had not been sent in. If fanno: <iid not approach them and teli them about these matters, the executive could ,o! help them.—Mr J. R. Button stated t Siut farmer had his wheat ac-

cepted by one grader and rejected by another, and when he sent down what he considered his best it was also rejected.—Hr 'Hulholland said that it was stated all round town that the G overnment had given the graders very stringent instructions and wheat had to be very good to pass. The trouble had been due to the fact that merchants had not been able to find out with certainty what the graders would pass or not. Whether that was duo to uneven grading on the graders’ part, or whether the merchants had failed to ascertain the position, he could not say. It would certainly help farmers a great deal if some system of grading at country stations could be evolved; it would certainly cost a bit, but it would pay the farmers to bear that cost. What had put farmers in a diffieuly was that they had submitted samples to a broker who had submitted them to a Government grader, and he had said -that they would pass'; but when the wheat was sent to Lyttelton a bigpercentage had been rejected. He was assured there were many instances of this character.—The Chairman mentioned the case of a North Canterbury farmer whose wheat was passed foi; export at Lyttelton, but was rejected at Auckland. The farmer was in Auckland at present, and he had not heard what the sequel had been.—Mr Mulholland said that once wheat was passed by a Government grader as fit for export it became the Government’s wheat.—The executive decided to urge the Minister of Agriculture to announce as soon as possible the conditions upon which under-grade wheat would be allowed to be exported. LOCAL MARKETS. Offerings of wheat are very plentiful from all districts. Millers are paying particular attention to the quality before purchasing, and it is most disappointing that a large proportion is not good milling. Growers have the option to sell this wheat as fowl wheat or hold it with the hope that it may k r *Tn? better prices later in the season. fowl wheat market is quiet, and tre best prices to growers are 3 s lOd to 4s, sacks extra, on trucks. Not many growers are keen to sell at these figures, as they show such a margin of difference compor-4 W1 Arir prices ruling for milling wheat. Milling V heat.—According to Government price (1922 season): Tuscan, 5s 6d: Hunters, 5s 9d; Pearl, 6s 3d, f.o.b. Dunedin millets' prices are as follow: Flour, 200ib, .£lB per ton; 109’s, £l9- 50's £l9 10s; 25’s, £2O. Bran, £5 per ton ’ Pol lard, £8 lOs. Oatmeal: 200’ a, £l9; otlnr quantities, £2O. Auckland reports that everv boat from the south as well as bringing ‘large quantities of nulling, also brings fowl wheat, and the market is well supplied. Quotations in the south are, if anything, a shade easier, and sales nave been made at 4s 7d, saeirs eX Tu a ’ f u r - spr l ad delivery, May to September. Threshing has been general during the month and although some of the samples of oats are badly weathered the majonty show that the oats are in good condition. These oats are not A grade, but will pass for B s. The demand for B's is quiet at present, and sales caunot be effected over 3s Id, f.o.b. s.i. A grade, on the other hand, are in fair demand at up to 3s 4<l, f.0.b., s i. for prompt shipment. The ruling prices being paid to growers are 2s 4d to 2s 8d per bushel, sacks extra, on trucks. Reports from Auckland state that tie weather has been changeable, but neverthelesa the country is looking well, and there 13 almost a super-abundance of green feed. , , usl ?^' e Y? 13 new about back to normal since the holidays, and merchants report an improvement in trade. Ample supplies of produce are arriving at. fairly regular intervals from the South Island, and all markets are well supplied. PRODUCE REPORT. Consignments of chaff have eased off, but as the demand is quiet the market does not show much signs of improvement. Prices, ck truck. Dunedin, are about £4 15s per ton’ sacks extra, for best; medium and poor is slow of sale at £3 10s to £4, sacks extra cx store. Reports from Auckland state that since the weather cleared up in the Hawke’s Bay district larger quantities of chaff are siriving from that quarter and this is selling at from £6 15s to £7 on rail, Auckland. Kangitikci is still being offered at from £5 10s to £5 12s Gd for prompt delivery, and also spread for May-J line at the latter fioure. Blenheim remains at £5 ss, f.0.b., s.i., Pic tom for prompt or spread to the end of September. Fair quantities of local of very indifferent quality are aEo available, and this is bringing from £5 10s to £6 10s 9d on rad Auckland, according to quality. Fair-sized consignments of potatoes are still arriving, but as there is practically no demand the majority of the lines are being put into store, where supplies are now accumulating. Only lines of the choicest quality are being accepted by buyers, and these are selling at £4 15s per ton, sacks

included, ex truck. There is no prospect of growers finding a market outside of the dominion. Owing to the ravages of the blight there is a likelihood that the market will improve later on. Auckland reports that the Opihi, Kurow, and Wingatui brought some 11,000 sacks to that market, hut the quality of some of the lines left very much to be desired. A fair quantity was shipped on consignment and these realised from £6 to £6 15s ex wharf, according to quality. Quotations from the south are in the vicinity cf £5, f.0.b., s.i., southern ports, but not a very large quantit.v is being sold as local merchants are curtailing their f.o.b. purchases, preferring to pick up consignment lines on the wharf. The quantity of local potatoes arriving to this market is now very small, and these are not affecting the price of the southern article. The prices for onions are inclined to ease. Current wholesale prices al - e as follow:—Chaff: Good quality, £4 15s; medium and light, slow of sale. Potatoes, £4 15s per ton. Eggs: Stamped, 2s 9d; plain. 2s 7d to 2s 8d; preserved. 2s. Dairy butter: Pats, Is 3Jd; milled, Is 4d. Onions: Canterbury, 8s per cwt. Bacon: Rolls, Is Id per lb; side-s. Is, Hams, Is lid. FRUIT REPORT. Some fairly large consignments of Winter Cole pears have reached the market from Of; t. Central. All good quality is i-eadilv place* J Dei.\ .us apples meet a ready sale. Fairly heavy * res of Jonathans are coming forward, !_>.v these are not meeting such a keen inquiry Moderate supplies only of Cox’s Crange Pippm are available, and the market could do with more of this variety. Good clean cookers arc still in request. Medium quality has little inquiry. Grapes are still coming forward ,but the season is now getting late, and the’ quality is consequently affected. Considerable quantities of pie melons have come forward from Auckland and Kelson Parcels have also arrived from Australia. The demand is poor. Island oranges have arrived during the wees, and more are oq the way. Bananas are scarce, but a small lot is due to-morrow (Saturday). This will probably be sold on Monday. Cabbages and cauliflowers have a slightly better inquiry. Other vegetables meet a quiet demand. Current wholesale prices are as follow - Apples: Cox’s Orange, to 12s—strong demand; Jonathans, 8s to 9s; Scarlet “Pernvains, 7s to 8s; Delicious, up to 14scookers, best, 6s to 7s; others, 4s to 5s ’ Tomatoes: Christchurch outside, small and rough, 2s 6d per case of 30lb; best to 4Ad; prime, 2Ad to 4d per lb; local, 7d per lb; Otago Central, 2d to 3Jd per To. Grapes: Choice, to Is 6d;” prime,, Is Id to Is 3d; good, lOd to Is. le.us, 2d to 3d per lb for choice; others lid to 2d. ’ Oranges: Island, 20s to 22s 6d per cas" • American, 48s to 50s. ‘ ~ ’ Peaches: Cases, 2d to 3d. Potatoes: .Local, in cases, Id per lb • Oamaru and Taieri, 5s to 6s per cwt. Table carrots, 6s to 7s per cwt: 8d per dozen bunches. Cabbages, 2s 6d to 3s Ed per sack for best. „ Cauliflowers, to 6s per sack for best: 4s to 6s per dozen. Swedes, 3s 6d per sack (sacks included). Green peas, to 4s. Cucumbers: Hothouse grown, Is to 7s f>d per dozen. Celery, 6d per bundle of six heads. Pie melons, 5s to 6s per cwt MERCHANDISE MARK El. Certain brands of jams show a reduction in price. Oak shredded marmalade is now quoted at 19s 6d for lib jams, 31 for twos, and 12s 6d and 24 for tins. A parcel of golden shred marmalade, the first, to arrive for five years, has just made iis appearance on the local market. Paper and paper bags have been sligh’ly reduced in price. The Cornwall is bringing supplies of M’Clinton’s Barilla soap and Komo handy mops. Gear meats and pastes have been reduced in price. Caustic soda is in short supply, but fresli lines are expected immediately. Small stocks of Egyptian lentils are held by merchants. It is only recently that this article has again come on the market. Further supplies are expected. Shipments of Chinese walnuts and pea nuts have landed during the week. The I’aloona brought further supplies of Australian sultanas. Three Castle and Capstan toba-ccos are only available in very small lots. The Waimarino is expected to arrive with direct shipments of sago, tapioca, and pines in about five time.

Reckitt’s cream tints are again available at 27s per gross. Exlo macaroni has been advanced to 7s 9d per dozen and Exlo vermecelli to 8s per dozen.