The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1884. A COMMERCIAL ANOMALY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1182, 24 May 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1884. A COMMERCIAL ANOMALY.

Iu our commercial column we publish the ruling prices for wheat in all parts of the colony, on the authority of the May report of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited. That report betrays a curious state of things—it contains a problem which we are unable to solve. Why it is that prices in Timaru are lower than anywhere else in the colony is what goes far beyond our comprehension. We have always understood that prices in

this colony were regulated by the prices obtained in the London market, but the report appears to us to contradict that idea. The prices for wheat aro as follows :—Auckland, 4s to 4s 2d ; Gisborne, 4s ; Blenheim, 3s 9d to 4s ; Christchureh, 3s 2d to 3s 4d ; Timaru, 3s to 3* Id ; Oamaru, 3s 3d to 3s 6d ; Dunedin, 3s 6d ; Invercargill, 3s 6d. Now why the prices in Timaru should be four or fivo pence per bushel lower than Oamaru, and one shilling per bushel lower than Blenheim or Gisborne, is one of those things that must puzzle the uninitiated. If the price of grain were regulated by the London markets, we see no reason why Timaru prices should not lie higher than those obtainable in either of the three places we liKYe mentioned. Our railway acccm modatinn and harbor irnf.rnemeuts have rendered the loading of vessels in Timaru much easier than in any of the three places named. Gisborne is an out-of-the-way place, and Blenheim is an inland town to which only little crafts of 50 tons or so can go. It has certainly a good harbor in Picton, but before that is reached the grain has to be carried over 30 miles of railway. If we mistake not the grain is taken across to Wellington, and transhipped to the English vessels there. Then there is Oamaru. That harbor has not, and never will have the same depth of water as Timaru, so that there should be no

difference on that account. As to the quality of the grain we do not thir.k that South Canterbury can be beaten. Looking at the subject from every point the puzzle still remains impenetrable to every one except those behind the scenes. There is only ono explanation of the matter, but that is scarcely credible. It is that the buyers have entered into a compact, and will give only such prices as they have mutually agreed upon. It might be worth the farmers' while to think over these matters, and consider whether they could not do better than sell to local buyers.