COMMERCIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16800, 2 April 1919, Page 11

COMMERCIAL

I FREIGHT REDUCTIONS. SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. Australian and N.Z: Cable- Assn. "> - LONDON, March 25. The secretary of the Australasian -Merchants' ' Association, interviewed, said that provided the raites were rea sonable,"" merchants would prefer a steady system of freights. The Conference has iitherto maintained this, and offered., all the tonnage required.' Mer- . chanijp W ere -urging reduction of the present high rates, which they expected during the next few months. ' They W6uld/"pjefer a natural, gradual reduc'tato,, cause a minimum of interference. Any rate cutting would seriously damage Australasian trade with the United Kingdom. PRICE OF,COAL. NOT LIKELY~TO FALL. (Per Press Association). . . . - WELLINGTON, April 1. In the course of a statement to a reporter this afternoon the Hon. W. D. S. MacDohald, President of the Board of Trade, said he hoped to have the full report of the Board of Trade on the coal question in the course of a or two. The Board made an interim report in the first week of their, inquiry, and from the general character of that it could be gathered that there could be very little reduction in price unless improvements were _ made .in shipping, screen'ng and distribution He wanted a full report however, and this would shortly be available, and would, he hoped, be a standard work on the coal question. NORTH CANTERBURY PRODUCE PRICES. CHRISTCHURCH, April 1. The grain market continues lifeless, and prices, which are mainly nominal, remain practically the same as last week At present the position with regard to wheat is very.vacute, as millers have bought as inuch Tuscan as they require for the time being, and the only, chance of, getting any sale through requires that there be a mixed parcel containing Hunters and pearl. Fowl wheat is worth 5s 9d to 6s on the basis of f.o.b Lyttelton, but even at this price there are not a great many buyers, ' . : The.cocksfoot .market is very quiet The nominal value is about. 6£d to 7<d '. per. lb, but there, are no sellers of fair [ average seed -..at" these prices. Potatoes are a;little keener, jump- . ing up ,to £5 10s, and in .some cases to. £5 los an<d.£6;at country stations. White clover is quoted at lOd per. lb, but there,are very few buyers at even' this, price. THE -RIALTO. H. Allchurch and Co. report for the week ending March 29th:—We had a large entry of poultry, pigs and calves • on Saturday. Poultry was in good demand realising - the following prices: I Hens,(heavy) 5s 6d to Bs, medium 4s to 5s 3d: cockerels, small Is 3d to 2s, ■ medium 2s 3d to 3s 9d, heavy 4s to 5s 9d; roosters to 4s, ducks to 7s 3d, all ' at per pair. . Pigs—Stores 32s to 365, weaners 9s. 1 10s 6d, 12s, 15s, 16s,- 19s. Calves—Bulls ns, 10s, 20s, heifers Bs. Produce—Potatoes 8s per owt., wheat 17s to 22s sack,' o.s. chaff 3s 3d s.e. Fruit—Tomatoes. Christchurch, 6d to 7£d, Nelson od'to 6d, per lb., apples, dessert, 3d., cookers l£d to 2d per lb., , plums 2d to 2£d, pears l£d to 2d. cucumbers hothouse 5d and 6d lb. < Household furniture arid effects on account of Mr S. Wood met with a ready sale. We also held a clearing sale on account of Mr A. L. Holland. > at his residence, Brunswick Street, on Wednesday last, when every line was • disposed of at satisfactory prices.