COMMERCIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 18985, 20 November 1920, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

SOUTHLAND STOCK AND PRODUCE MARKETS. Tun6s Office, Friday, November 19. There baA been very little change in the stock market during the week. There is still a good number of fat cattle offering, and prices are a little back, if anything. Store cattle continue to be easily procurable, and values have not improved. Fat sheep are in greater supply than demand, but values, taken all round, remain fairly firm. Stores are not coming forward very freely owing to holders keeping the stock until after shearing. The demand is not good, and prices remain at late rates. Data —The market continues very quiet, and there are no transactions of any moment. A considerable shipment is being made by the Caroline in a few days, and this should further reduce the slocks held in this district. Chaff.—There is a fairly good demand, but very little offering from the country. Values may be given at £7 10/-, on trucks, for prime quality. Potatoes.—-There has been more sale of late for old potatoes, but they' must be newly picked and in fair condition. Such are bringing from 8/- to 10/- per bag in the salerooms, according to quality. New potatoes are beginning to arrive from the north, and the market for old will soon be over. Ryegrass.—There is still a quantity going out with retail orders, but so fat the demand from the North Island and Australia has not set in. It is expected, however, that when this demand arises it will absorb all stocks. Hemp.—The market is quiet. Values remain about the same as last week. CANTERBURY MARKETS. WEAKNESS IN OATS. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 19. The export of oats continues steadily, several substantial consignments being loaded during the past week or so. A conservative estimate puts the quantity at 100,000 sacks since the freight reduction. There seemed a probability of the export making a considerable reduction in stocks, but the report that South Australian oats are being quoted at 1/9 a bushel introduces a despondent note. Obviously if the new season’s oats are worth no more than that in Australia, the Home market for New Zealand oats must recede. The market here is very weak, and it is nrobable that growers would not now get 3/-. MELBOURNE WOOL SALES. WITHDRAWALS UNUSUALLY HEAVY. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, November 19. Ninety per’ cent, of the offerings at the v/00l sales were unsuitable and the withdrawals woer unusually heavy. The market is depressed, and it is impossible to quote prices. VICTORIAN MARKETS. MELBOURNE, November 19. Hides—Fair supplies were offered to a good attendance of buyers. Top grades are slightly easier and other sorts unchanged. Barley, English, 7/-; Cape, 6/-. Oats, 3/- to 3/2. Potatoes, £9 to £ll. Onions, £l2. THE WOOL MARKET. , LONDON, November 18. (Received November 19, 8.30 p.m.) At the wool sales the catalogue comprised only free wool, including 150 bales of Australian, which was sold at about late rates. The Bradford market has a more confident feeling. Sixty-fours 66d, fifty-sixes 48d, fifties 37d. THE ENGLISH MARKETS. LONDON, November 18. (Received November 19, 8.30 p.m.) Wheat is quiet The flour demand is slightly better. Oats are weak. New Zealand A Cartons 53/- ex store, B 51/-. Peas are tending downward. Tasmanian 81ue5,.£24 to £25 per ton; New Zealand, £23 to £24; Tasmanian and New Zealand Maples, 150/- to 160/- per 5041b5, all ex store. Beans are dull. New Zealand, 85/to 90/-. Sugar is unchanged. The cheese market is weak and consumption is restricted. Retailers are refusing a considerable part of the Government allotments. Thus the Government’s stocks of imported cheese are likely to last till February and possibly March. Canadian free cheese is about 158/- to 162/-. The Food Ministry now permits the exportation of British cheese. IMPORTS OF MOTOR CARS. The buying of motor cars goes on as briskly as ever; in fact, according to one dealer, business has never been so good as it is now (says the Auckland correspondent of the Press). Large numbers of machines are arriving, but the market is eager, and quickly absorbs them. There is no indication at all that people are holding off. An importer said the adverse rate of exchange made no difference. His firm was not altering its prices, because they believed that the rate of exchange would not stop where it was. The tendency of retail prices to fall in the United States was not yet reflected in New Zealand. The majority bf the United States factories, whose motor cars were most in demand, showed no tendency to full; on the other hand, in many cases, the dealers had even guaranteed against alteration in the factory price. Many motor vehicles are being imported for commercial purposes, and there is said to be an especially heavy demand for motor trucks suitable for the carriage of metal and timber. Sufficient of these machines could not be obtained, said the manager of one firm. United States motor cars formed the preponderance of those arriving at present. One man had just received the first of 11 machines ordered from England :in October, 1918, and it would probably be some months before the last arrived. GERMANY’S PIANO TRADE. As evidence of the desire of Germany to restore her piano trade, a prominent New Zealand piano importer recently received numerous letters containing quotations for German pianos and requesting trade. The' prices quoted would, on a rough average, be nearly twice the price of English goods. Needless to say the offers were declined; but they show the persistency of Germany to rebuild the piano industry.