THE LOCAL MARKETS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16227, 24 March 1917, Page 6

THE LOCAL MARKETS.

FAMINE OAT PBICES. IJ Wheat.—There is nothing fresh to j| report. Offerings are still on the light r: side, and not sufficient for buyers' re--1 quirements. There is a fair demand , for fowl wheat at from 5s to 5s 4d on trucks, country stations. Oats.—The highest point for the season, so far as white oats are concerned, was reached this week in South Canterbury, when 3s 10c! per bushel on trucks country station was paid tor a line of about 4000 bushels o* Orartons. There is much diversity of opinion amongst buyers as to the future of this market. Some are buying with confidence at present rates, and in North Canterbury it is reported that still higher prices have been paid. On the other hand it is maintained that there are bound to be some oats -, available from Southland for sale in the North Island,, and that quotations for, these will be met by others from Australia. A further purchase ol Australian oats was made in Timaru yesterday, when No. 1 feeding Algerians were bought at 2s 5d f.0.b., s.i., Sydney. With freight of 22s (id per ton the cost of these landed free of duty, in Auckland will work out at 3s sd. White oats on the: basis now being paid in New Zealand could -not be landed in Auckland under 4s. 7d or 4s 8d per bushel. Buyers in the North prefer white oats, for feeding, but the difference in price is'so'great that they can scarcely afford to neglect Australian importations. There are those who say lohat the presen 'famine prices are _ hardly justified. . Barley is in fairly good, demand. Values vary acoording tp quality from: 4i 6d to 5s on trucks country stations. There is a keen demand for good lines of oaten sheaf chaff*-!,but such lines are .scarce- They/are worth .£4 to £4 Ss on tracks at country, stations. Potatoes.—The.market, is in. a very weak state, to-day's quotations being' £4 10s to £4 15s; country. stations, sacks in. Lyttelton, ■•with, better facilities for shipping (hi that there is a boat every second day) is quoting £5 7s 6d f.o.b. s.i., and if this quotation is maintained, or. reduced, prices here, must suffer. Reports'from'Auckland indicate that. Melbourne is quoting £3 10s per ton f,p,b"., sX ~for good.■' tables, CBmSTCHUR^^IipOBT. : . (Per Press Association.) - CHRISTCHUi&Cm, March %. ' : There is only a small 'quantity of wheat offering, although both millers and merchants are ready to purchase supplies. ;"■' " ■.-. The oats market is in a somewhat doubtful position, and the tone is easier, as several buyers have decided to hold off. The original cause of the, the firmness - was the operations of buyers to cover forward sales, and opinions vary as to whether the market is going to hold or. not. Meanwhile Victorian and' 1 Tasmanian oats are being landed at' Auckland at 3s 8d and 3s Bsd, and Wellington is being supplied from the same source, so that the northern market is being supplied at less cost than oats can be obtained for from the South' Island. '' Some samples of Southland; oats have been submitted to Chfistchirrcb..': merchants, but they generally show., signs of damage by rain. "'..■'■ ; *•■-.-.-;■-. There is not mucli demaiid :fnp ?oat sheaf chaff, and the qua'litv. of that being offered is mostlv inferior. Prims. is worth £3 15s id £4, .lowersnualitv £3 5s to £3 10s, at "coimtry stations. The potato'; market is stendy. Merchants are .finding some difficulty m securing sufficient shipping space for Auckland. '. '.:■;..' ;•:•:•:' \ The receii t■■ dem and for: ;Onions-. fon Vancouver has firmed nrices, and up to £6 is paid' to growers.: Partridgo peas are firmer, and ai-p quoted at 6s to Vs at" country stations.