TRADE REVIEW.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 896, 23 December 1916, Page 2

TRADE REVIEW.

GRAIN MARKETS QUIET. There has been little activity in the local grain markets this week for obvious reasons. In other lines of business the Christmas rush has set in, but from all accounts the volume of business is not up to that of previous years, although fairly good under the circumstances. Regarding grass seed, merchants state that quantities have come on to the market this week. Farmers appear to recognise that grass seed is likely to pome bade later, and those who have early crops are bringing it forward. There lias not been any large amount of business done so far. A sale is reported at •!/-, but this may have been for an extra choice line, as merchants state that they would hardly be prepared to give this price. Merchants are taking advantage of the slackness prevailing in the markets to give their employees an extended holiday, and the majority of firms will be closed from Saturday until Wednesday week. Grain and Produce. The Government negotiations in regard to wheat prices, and the approach of the holidays, have effectually put a stop to all business in the wheat market. Millers and merchants are inac tive, awaiting developments, while those farmers wdio hnve wheat will not accept anything under 6/- It is doubtful if business could be done at that price. It is stated that at least one small line of wheat has been bought from a farmer, the basis of the sale being whatever price is settled upon by the Government. The following are the prices paid to farmers at country stations, free of commission:— Wheat, nominal. Flour, £ls, 1001b bags £ls 10/-, 501b bags £ls 15/-, 251b bags £W>Bran, £4 per ton for shipping, and £4 5/- for local. Pollard, £7 per ton for shipping. Oatmeal, 251b bags, £7. Ryegrass, 4/- to 5/-. Cocksfoot, 121b seed 9d, 131b seed 9*d, 141b seed lOd. Peas, Partridge, 5/-. Oats and Chaff. The oat market is very quiet, practically none offering froi i farmers. Gartons are quoted nominally at from 2/9 to 2/11, Danish 2/8 to 2/9, and good Duns at, from 2/10 to 3/- per bushel. A small line of Algerian new season oats, threshed out of the sttok, were on the market this week. The oats were a very nice sample, and the farmer was offered 2/6 per bushel at a country station. It is anticipated that after holidays, or early in January, there will be a larger quantity jn offer from farmers. There is little'or no demand for chaff, and a fair amount is offering at a price in the vicinity of £3 15/-. Dairy Produce.

There is no change to report in daily produce. A sufficient supply of eggs s coming in to meet the demand, which is fairly heavy at present owing to the Christmas trade. Stamped eggs are worth 1/2 and others 1/1 per dozen. Butter is coming in well up to the present, although it is expected that if the dry weather continues the supply will very quickly go off. The quantity in cool store is causing a certain amount of anxiety now that shipping difficulties have arisen. The quality of that from the farms is hardly as good as some time back, due to feeding conditions. Factory is worth 1/5 net wholesale and 1/7 retail, separator 1/1 to 1/2, and dairy 1/- per lb. New season honey has not appeared on the market as yet, but producers are asking for quotations, and it is stated that the price will probably be about per lb. Canterbury bee-farmers hate not been favoured as much as those in other provinces this year, as the crop is said to be very light in places, while Auckland and Wellington are both experiencing good seasons. Fruit and Vegetables.

Consignments of fruit and vegetables from the North Island, including potatoes, cucumbers, and lemons are coming down regularly each week now. Yesterday a shipment of Melbourne onions arrived by the Kamona, and next Wednesday a Sydney shipment of summer fruit is due. On January 2 the main shipment of Cook Island bananas is due. Currants are just coming on to the market, and local fruit is mainly confined to these and gooseberries. The following were the ruling prices in today's markets: —

'Frisco dessert apples, 16/- per case. Sydney oranges (second crop), 6/- to 7/- per case.

'Frisco oranges, 21/- per case. Mandarins, 7/- to 8/6 per case. 'Frisco lemons, 38/- to 40/- per double case.

Auckland lemons, 9/- to 10/- per case. Sydney plums, 4-kl to 6d per lb. Currants, 4d to 5Ad per lb. Tomatoes, 1/1 to 1/4 per lb. Rhubarb, 2/- to 3/- per dozen bundles, Raspberries, 7d to 8(1 per lb.

Cherries, 1/- to 1/2 per lb. Waimate Strawberries, 9d to lOd per

Local strawberries, lOd to 1/- per lb, Gooseberries, 3d to 3:} per lb. Cucumbers, 9/- to 10/- per quarterease.

Potatoes, 19/- per sack. Cabbages, 1/- to 2/- per dozen. : Cauliflowers , 2/6 to 4/6 per dozen. Carrots, 7d to 8(1 per dozen bundles. Turnips, 7d to 8(1 per dozen bundles Parsnips, 10d to lid per dozen bun dies.

Peas, 2/- to 2/(i per peck. Beans, 4d per lb. Lettuce, 8d to ]od per dozen. Asparagus, 2/.'s to 3/6 per dozen bun dies. Raddish, (id to 7(1 per dozen bundles