TO-DAY'S PRICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1920, Page 6

TO-DAY'S PRICES.

PROSPECTS FOR SUGAR. ACUTE CASE OIL SHORTAGE. With the frequent changes in prices of everyday articles which the housewife has to buy, the following brief turnroary of the market conditions reported in A'ew Plymouth yesterday will interest every woman who shops for the home: — Sugar.—The settlement of the strike will be welcome news to consumers, but it will be found that the loss in production has caused the public to use up its little reserve hoard, and there will be an attempt on the part of these people to replenish sWe. It will probably be the week after next before Taranaki will get a shipment, and dealers will be wise then to limit sales to immediate requirements only for some time. Benzine and Kerosene.—There is an acute shortage, nothing being available from Wellington, and the shipments due early in October are only small ones. Onions.—Melbourne onions are landing, but the quality is but moderate. American onions will arrive about the end of October, and the retail price will be in the neighbourhood of 8d per lbPotatoes.—Southern holders are still fairly firm, hoping that some relief may be got by Australian shipments, but the expert, though about due, has not yet arrived, so by the time he has given his decision it will leave very little time to ship to Australia. Reports from the Waikato in regard to new potatoes point to the season being late. Severe frosts have badly affected the early crop, and it will be early in November before jiny quantity is available. Despite this, growers anticipate a good crop for the season; and as Taranaki relies on the Waikato to supplement the small local crop until about April, this is good news. Jcy.es Fluid.—A sharp advance is reported in this line, and doubtless other lines of disinfectants will be similarly affected. Cigarettes.—A small rise is reported in one brand, but there is no word about the main sellers, which are in extremely short supply. Tobacco.—Dark strengths are practically unprocurable locally, and the trade expects an advance at any time.