COMMERCIAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18398, 16 May 1934, Page 13

COMMERCIAL

1 SHEEPFARMERS’ YEAR WRIGHT, STEPHENSON In a statement accompanying the Annual accounts of Wright, Stephenson and Company, Limited, which earhed a net proiit of £41,354 for the year ( ended March 31, the directors state that’during the year the price level of sheep products showed a 'lower average than for the previous year. The largest proportion of the company’s advances were with sheepfarmers and their improved , position was leflected in the company’s accounts. “While the improved condition of sheepfarmers is very gratifying, 1 it is a mistake to assume that all out* farmers’ difficulties are at an end,” the statement continues. “Sheepfarmers growing fine wool have had a good year, but growers of the strong crossbreds, which form the bulk of the New Zealand clip, arc still getting prices which are very k>w when compared with pre-slump years. Dairy farmers are still having a most difficult time. It is the average condition of all our farmers tliat counts and not the special position of selected cases. This average condition cannot be shown better than by quoting the export price level of farm products published by the New Zealand Government Statistician. The average level for the 15 years 19151929 inclusive was 1492. The average price level in Starch last was 996. Farmers’ costs have not come down in anything like the same proportion.”

Crippled by last year’s serious frosts in Central Otago this season’s fruit export trade has been disastrous to the grower, whose plight, however, has been considerably (fffsset by the handsome returhs of the prwious season. The last shipments were sent overseas at the beginning of the 'month on the Turakina and the Rotorua, bringing the total number of cases exported to 12,000. compared with 160.fi90 last season. Despite this serious reverse, growers are optimistic as to neptt year’s prospects. At present, the. orchards in Central Otago are looking at their best. —Dunedin Star.

“There has been another failure in the honey crop ini Canterbury,” said Mr. O. T. Fix, Government apiary instructor for Canterbury, when reviewing the results of tho last honey season. “The yield is well under the average, and '.the amount, for 1 export will he practically negligible.”

THE SHAREMABKET (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Sales on ’Change: Mahakipawa, lid; Talisman, lbs 6d; Taupiri Coal. 16s 2d; Kauri Timber. 17s; Bank of New Zealand, 52s > Government stock, 1955. £lO7. WELLINGTON, this day. Sales oin ’Ohaiitge: Denhard Bakeries, prof., 215.; Mossy/Creek, Is 7J[d; Bank of New Zealand,'rum div., 52s 3d. ailliltfrCHUliCH. this day. Sales on ’Change: Union Bank of Australia, £lO Os 6d (2) ; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile, ord. stock. £56 ss; Golden. Point, 4d (5) • Mahakipawa, lid: Rawang Tin, 9s Id; Waihi, 34s 6d (2) ; Skijipiers, Limited, Is paid, 10jd, lid. * ; Reported’l sales : Bank of New South Wales. 'Clift)!) div,, £33 ; Westport Stockton. ord.. f’s 3d: Okarito, 8s sd. DUNEDIN, this day. Sales reported: North Broken, Hill, 94s- New,-‘Zealand Breweries, 435. On ’Chainge: Bell Kilgour, 4d.