TRADE REVIEW.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 6

TRADE REVIEW.

SMALL WHEAT OFFERING. Whatever the cause, it would appear that the offerings of wheat this season are much below normal, and in the absence of any definite explanation of this state of affairs—for there is no great apparent I inducement for farmers to hold the grain— | the position is one rather tending to j anxiety. True, the amount of wheat offer- : ed this week has improved somewhat, but | this is due to the fact that towards the end j of last month supplies were withheld owing , to the April id increase per bushel. The milling percentage of the grain is also be- ! low normal, and the prices secured for j the quality classed as "free" are often j below the maximum rate. Oats Supplies Short. What is the real position of the oats I market is hard to determine, for the offer- ! ings are so scant that temporarily there is j almost a shortage. Prices therefore vary , according to the pressing needs of mcr- ! chants to supply orders. According to some merchants, the market is in a dan- i gerous position, whilst the hint given of I Government intervention has exercised an ] eifect. But such intervention at this stage ! would rather he in the nature of shutting i the stable door after the horse had escaped. I At present, quotes vary exceedingly, uccord- I ing to the diverse opinions and interests of J those concerned. The market is extra-! ordinarily firm, and if a weakening is to I eventuate (in connection with which there are doleful prophesies) there arc at present few indications. For seed purposes there I is a keen demand for Algerians, many farmers showing a preference for this variety owing to the comparative failure of Gartons and Duns. Such is the demand that 4/8 per bushel has been paid for Algerians, although such price may be considered as more the exception. Up to 4/10 has also i been obtained for Duns, but here again the price was not general, and the quality | was unusual. The market is really in the stage when the fixing of a price is a matter of bargaining. With oatsheaf chaff, the position is the same. Tnere are rumours on the market that business has j been done at £6 a ton, but instances are ] hard to locate. Values are certainly extremely buoyant, being assisted in part by the difficulty attending shipment and a consequent unsatisfied demand from the North The shipping difficulty is really as pronounced as ever, and although two boats will leave this week, business is undoubtedly being affected. Potatoes and Onions Firmer. Both potatoes and onions are firmer. The offerings of tubers are fairly free, but the demand from the North is pronounced. The condition of the potatoes varies considerably, msny from the light land districts being little affected by blight. They are worth from £4 5/- to £4 10/- a ton. Onions are also coming forward freely, whilst the indications are of the bulbs being abundant. They are worth to £1 10/- a ton. The advance in price will be a source of satisfaction to the grower, for the increase since the season opened is a matter of 25/-. Restricted Prices for Seed. Grass seed and clover prices have been announced as fixed by the Government, but the markets are pursuing their merry trend untrammelled by restrictions. Action midway through the season is bound to cause hardship and injustice, provided, of course, that the action is a matter of deeds and not not words. Under all the circumstances, the Government, to save its dignity, might remove the" present farcical position by revoking its decree. Its action in fixing prices possibly may have saved some settlers in the fire-devastated districts from a certain amount of exploitation, but now that their requirements are, or should be, satisfied, there is no purpose to be gained in tampering needlessly with the ordinarychannels of trade. Whilst on the subject of the cause of the price restriction, it is apparent now that the statements of an extraordinary demand were in the nature of a scare. In fact, it is possible that the requirements of the settlers could, if necessary, be supplied }ty one firm alone, if in a fair way of business. As indicated, maximum values are simply being ignored, and justifiably so in many instances, in the absence of a definite scale of prices being announced. If the Government should attempt to see that its mandate is observed, importers will be placed in a peculiar position if their contracts are above local prices. Market Quotations. The following prices are those paid to farmers at country stations, with the exception of wheat, which is on a f.o.b. basis. Bran and pollard prices are those paid to the miller:— Wheat: 5/101 per bushel. Oats: Gartons 4/2 to 4/6, Duns A/- to 4/10, Algerians 4/- to 4/8 per bushel.

Barley: 6/- to 6/G per bushel. Cape barley: 5/- to 5/C per bushel. Flour: 2001b bags £ls 10/- a ton, 1001b bags £l6 5/- a ton, 501b bags £lO 10/- a ton. Bran: £> 10/ a ton f.oJj., sJ. for shipping, £5 15/- (local). Pollard: 17 10- per ton. Oatmeal: 251b bags £23 a ton, 71b bag* £2O a ton. Oatsheaf chaff: £5 5/- to £5 15/- per ton. Potatoes: £4 5/- io £4 10/- per ton. Onions: £4 5/- to £4 10/- per ton. Partridge peas: 6/9 to "/- f.a.q., to 7/4 flrst grade, White Ivory's to 12/-, Imperial Blues 20/-. Byegrass: Italian 4/- to 4/0, perennial A/% to 4/9. Cocksfoot: lid to 1/21. Clover, 1/- to 2/3 per lb. Linseed,: £22 to £22 10/- per ton. Byecorn: 5/0 per bushel. Grass seeds are quoted as on trucks at country stations, or f.o.b. Peninsula bays. Dairy Produce. Lggs remain firm at 1/9 per dozen, whilst butter values are unchanged. The position with honey is the same, merchants refusing to advance the price beyond 6d per lb, ana the conesquent offering, in a good season, being only sufficient for bare requirements. Betaiiers are limiting supplies, whilst the trade is unable to store for winter requirements. Fruit and Vegetables. Drlieveries of tomatoes and apples bars been heavy in the local market this week, and prices are consequently somewhat weaker. For the most part vegetables are plentiful, although the supply cf potatoes has fallen off. Values in this line are firm. Onions are becoming scarce. There is a shipment of bananas now due. The following are the ruling rates:— Apples, dessert, 6/- to 8/3 per case; cooking, 3/- to 5/- per ease. Lemons, 'Frisco, 30/- per case (bushel). Oranges, 'Frisco, 45/- per case. Peaches, choice dessert, 5d to GJd per lb; medium, 4/G to 6/- per case. Pears, 3/- to 5/0 per case. Grapes, 1/- to 1/6 per lb. Walnuts, "d to 8d per lb. Tomatoes, 2d to 3d per lb. Beans, kidney, 2d per lb; broad, 2/- per bag. Beet, 6d per dozen bundles. Cabbages, 1/- to 2/6 per dozen. Cauliflowers, large, A/- to 6/- per dozen; medium, 2/- to 4/- per dozen. Carrots, 8d per dozen bundles. Cucumbers. 2/- to 2/6 per box. } Celery, 5d to 8d per bundle. Green peas, 1/3 to 1/6 per peck. Leeks, 6d per bundle. Lettuce, 6d to 1/- per dozen. Marrows. 1/6 to 2/6 per dozen. Onions, local, 5/6 to 6/6 per cwL Parsnips, 9d per dozen bundles. ) Potatoes, 10/- to 13/- per sack. Pumpkins, 5/- to 9/- per dozen. ~ Badishes, Iti per dozen bundles. Bhubarb, 1/6 per dozen bundles. Spring onions, 6d per dozen bundles. Turnips, Gd per dozen bundles. • 1 . ' =ai