THE MARKETS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 252, 27 November 1914, Page 5

THE MARKETS.

The grain trade is already slack, no business to- any extent taking place in any lines. Telegrams from Dunedin in regard to the shortage of flour and the discussion at the Farmers' Union meeting the other day has tended to alarm the people quite unnecessarily. The result has been that grocers have been rushed for flour, and in turn the miller has been besieged and has not been able to keep pace with orders. This has caused a temporary shortage; of this commodity that has been felt by bakers and grocers, and involved a good deal of criticism of those concerned. The millers are reported to bo oxecuting normal orders, but refuse to deal with abnormal ones. Some mills allege that they cannot secure supplies of wheat. It would be interesting to find out how much wheat is now in millers' hands and what remains in growers', but there seems little likelihood of the public being given any definite information upon the point. No business can be recorded of any consequence in cereals as between farmer and merchant, and nominal quotations of recent reports are unchanged. Grain merchants generally contend that there is not justification for the extremely pessimistic tone of the ers' Union meeting on Wednesday in regard to next season *s grain prospects. Potatoes are nominally worth £3 per ton, but few are offering, and another week or so will see the finish of them.

Wholesale houses ai-e offering lid per dozen for eggs, and 9d per lb for dairy butter, and lOd for separator.