Current Topics

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17453, 30 December 1930, Page 9

Current Topics

I IGHTKE apple crops generally are •expected in the Dominion this season. From now until February 15. 20 overseas vessels will carry 847,850 boxes ot' butter and 336,000 crates of cheese from 42 New Zealand ports. Bay of Plenty Dairy Payments An advance payment based on Sd per lb. for superfine were made by the Bay of Plenty Dairy Association for November butter-fat, a drop of Id compared with the previous month. In addition, a supplementary payment of Sd per lb. was made on fat supplied during March, April, May and June. The production for the season to date is a record. Slack Period for Maize No inquiry was made for Gisborne maize during the past .week, duo more to the period of the year than to the condition of the market. Aueklan 1 stocks are reported to be light, and despite the South African shipment due this week at Auckland, it is expected that an inquiry will set in after the second week in January for Gisborne maize. It is anticipated that the inquiry will bo fairly regular, and that stocks will go forward quietly each boat right through the summer and autumn. For forward business, however, Auckland merchants appear to be afraid to operate except at low levels. The South African shipment this week is expected to land at os 2d ex wharf, Auckland, while a quote has come forward for • Java maize at £7 os a ton, c.i.f., March delivery, equal to os 3d ex wharf.

The Dole and N.Z. Meat “New Zealand meat on the Home markets has had wonderful prosperity, hut lower prices must come,” said Air. 11. S. E. Turner, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, who has arrived at Auckland from England. The Meat Producers’ Board was doing good work, and that, together with the desire to buy Empire goods, had put New Zealand moat, and especially lamb, in an excellent position. Reduction in Government payments towards the dole, which reduction was necessary, would tend to'bring prices for meat and other staple New Zealand products , down a little, but greater production and maintenance of quality wouid be a compensation. Denied Goodwill

“I am convinced that unless, and until, New Zealand butter, can be bought by the public under its own name and reputation, and without misrepresentation, it will become more and more difficult, if not impossible, to market the rapidly increasing quantities at a true economic price,” stated Air. C. G. C. Denmer, chairman of directors of the Cheltenham Dairy Co., Ltd., who recently returned from an extended tour of England and the Continent. “The bulk of Now Zealand butter loses its identity before il reaches the consumer, thereby the producer is denied the goodwill and price which his butter merits,” said Air. Denmer. “My observations convince me that what is required in England is that a marking order should be applied to all imported butters, and that mark, as to country of origin, should bo applied at the time of sale, or at the time of exposure for sale.” Unusual Spectators

One of tho features of tho changing crowd that filled the gallery at the first wool sale in Burns Hall was the large number of sheepmen who were watching the sale for the first time without having a personal interest in it’in the way of sonic of their; own wool. Delayed shearing accounts for most of the absentees, although one or two farmers told me they had a few bales that might have come in if there had been any prospect of a price. Since there was none they considered that they had nothing to lose by holding back the first shearing until the whole clip was baled. One man remarked that he had, managed to get through his shoaring programme in fairly good time, but the wool had joined last year’s clip in Flic shed, and was, as far as lie could see, likely to stay there, although he did not quite know what was going to happen next year when lie wanted to start shearing, as he would not have room to move in the shed.

Cheap Sheep and Cattle Appropos the cabled message frpm Brisbane reporting a sale of 2000 fivfe-year ewes at Gd per head, it is interesting to note the following mailed advice from tho same quarter dated December 15;

Sheep and cattle prices are at a'very interesting stage throughout the State. In the west sheep are very low. Lately a lot of 2000 two and four-tootli wethers, carrying three months’ wool, sold at 4s fid a head. Nearer in and handy to fattening areas on Darling Downs prices arc better, but not encouraging., At auction a nice liije of hVo-looth 'wethers,, sprilig shorn, went at 7,5. OkL wethers are hard, .to .sell owing to the decline for fat sheep. Big yardings at the Brisbane, sales continue, and one of tluV exporting companies. lias; reduced it's competition. Best wethers lately made Did-]icr lb., plus skin values, the lowest, figure in the past 20 years. In North Queensland. and the Gulf country big numbers of store cattle have been listed for delivery after the wet season. Some Southern Queensland buyers have taken good' lines (jf bullocks and breeders at.£s. fgr the first-mentioned and £3 ,-to. £3. IQs for good cows.' At the Brisbane sales good fats are making high .prices, holding to 28s to 31s on a per ltiOlb. basis. The market, is firm, and heavy supplies have been going to the southern capitals.