THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 12

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The abnormal rains in the North, Island are causing farmers to take a serious view of matters. There are still a .number of hay crops out and lying in the fields, and it is impossible to gather them in. Under conditions prevailing it is quite certain that, if the weather does not by any chance set in fine and allow the crops to be gathered in soon, they are going to be lost. Then, again, there is an abnormal growth of grasE, but very little substance in it, and early frosts would do incalculable damage. A farmer, discussing the situation, said he preferred the warm weather to harden up the feed, which would then have substance in it, and he relished by the stock in the winter. Now the biggest part of the early growth of grass had rotted in the fields. A farmer in the Wanganui district is reported to have had a field of grass seed, which he considered would return him a substantial sum, but now the crop is not worth cutting. Root crops generaly are coining along at a great rate, and, generally speaking that aspect of farming is quite good. STOCK AGENTS’ COMMISSION. The vexed question of commission rates has again been discussed by the Farmers’ Union at Gisborne, the subject being introduced by a letter from the Poverty Bay .Stockbrokers’ Association, stating that it had gone thoroughly into the matter, and regretted that it was unable to make any change in the present rates. The letter pointed out that many other associations had only introduced the increase at a period when tire market was able to meet it. One speaker said that all they wanted was a fair tiling. He had heard that at Tokomaru Bay the rate was 2' 7 per cent.., and it was the same in Hawke’s Bay. He believed that the brokers were only cutting their own throats. This year was going to be a record one, ho thought, for the sale of stock, and he considered the Stockbrokers’ Association could well have met the farmers on this matter. It was decided to express the union’s dissatisfaction with the reply, and to follow the matter up as energetically as possible. A letter bearing on the same matter was received from the Wanganui Sub-provincial Executive of the union, staling that it was intended to make an endeavour to have the commission for selling wool reduced, and was arranging for a conference on this matter with the local Wool Brokers’ Association. The letter was received, satisfaction being expressed with the attitude taken up by Wanganui. CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, February 2.) The uncertainty with regard to wheal; prices still exists, and, although several samples came forward to the market this week no sales were made. Merchants are offering to sell wheat to millers at about 4s 10-jj.l per bushel f.0.b., delivery April to September. However, millers’ ideas of values are about lid below this. The merchants’ offer of 4s 10id is equivalent to 4s 6il on trucks at country stations. Millers are prepared to pay farmers the latter price for wheat that, is ready for delivery, but they regard the position as too uncertain to buy forward at this price. One merchant,- who had several samples of wheat offered to him this week, said that except for a little sprouting tiie quality was good. The oat market was a bit quieter this week, the inquiry from Australia having ceased for the time being. As a result Gallons eased by about gd per bushel. Algerians remain firm at late rates, but merchants are inclined to hold off from buying because (hey consider that present prices are too high. Not many Algerians are coming forward just now, and merchants think that when supplies become more plentiful prices will ease. Chaff is firm at late values, merchants being still prepared to pay up to £4 per ton on trucks at country stations for good bright, stuff. The demand for ryegrass is keen, and during the week prices rose very considerably. Sales at 4 s 9d per bushel on trucks at. country stations are reported. No new season's cocksfoot has yet come on to the

market, and the only business passing in this line is in machine-dressed, which is worth up to BJd per lb, whilst some merchants are now asking 9d. Merchants are prepared to buy linseed forward at £l4 per ton on trucks at country stations. During the past two years low prices have ruled for barley, with tlie result that not a great deal was sown for this season. Supplies will therefore not be so plentiful, and prices are likely to be better. In fact, at present merchants are offering from 4s to 4s 6d per bushel on trucks at country stations. I-a si year the price did not go above 3s 6d. ivecent reports from London indicate that the market there for partridge peas has weakened, and on the present London parity they would not be worth more than Os per bushel on trucks at country stations. Last year peas made up to Bs, and the average price lor this season was about 7s. Of course, partridge peas are not yet ready for marketing, and London prices may improve betore they are. It is reported that the acreage ’under partridge peas is larger this year than it has ever b «n betore, this no doubt being due to the high prices whim luieo v.„.,rig ■<*•- year or two. I here is no change to report with regard to potatoes or onions. Merchants’ offers remain the same, but very little forward business is being done. if the fine weather which has been experienced during the last few days continues, the danger ot blight attacking the potato crop should be greatly minimised. ilia following are Quotations for produce to be paid to fanners at country stations, free ot comnqi«sion, sacks extra, except whero otherwise stated: Milling Wheat.—According to Government prices. Tuscan, 5s 10jd per bushel f.o.b. ; Hunters, 6s lid; Pearl, 6s 7id. Fowl Wheat.—4s 3d to 4s 6d per bushel, f.o.b. Oats.—Cartons, 2s 9d to 2s llid per bushel; Algerians (new season’s), 2s 9d to 3s 3d; Duns (dark coloured), 2s bcl to 2s 9d ; light coloured, 2s to 2s 2d. Chaff.—£3 10s lo £4 per ton. Potatoes —£3 5s to £3 10s (forward). Onions—£6 per ton (autumn-sown). White Clover.—lOd to Is per lb. Red Clover.—9d to lOd per lb. Perennial Ryegrass.—4s 3d to 4s 9d per bushel (new season’s). Italian Ryegrass.—4s 3d to 4s 9d per bushel (new season’s). Cocksfoot.—sd to Sid (nominal) per lb. Barley —4s to 4s 6d per bushel. Cape Barley.—2s 6d to 2s 9d per bushel. Linseed.—£l4 per ton (forward). Flour.—According to Government prices : 2001 b sacks, £ls 10s; 1001 b bags, £l6 10s; 501 b bags, £l7; 251 b bags, £l7 10s, all per ton, f.0.b., Lyttelton, Timarit, and Oamaru. Bran.—According to Government prices: £5 to £5 10s per ton, aocording to packing, f.0.b., southern ports. Pollard.—According to Government prices: £8 to £8 10s per ton, according to packing, f.0.b., southern ports.