EGGS GETTING SCARCER; PRICES ON THE RISE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18092, 28 February 1927, Page 7

EGGS GETTING SCARCER; PRICES ON THE RISE.

ANOTHER DECREASE IN FLOUR POSSIBLE. During the last week or so theTe has been a very’ marked decrease in the supply of eggs and prices are now getting high. Last week first grade hen eggs were selling at 2s a dozen wholesale. and second grade at Is lOd. Tt is practically certain that there will be another rise in prices this week, amounting to from Id to 2d a dozen. Although eggs arc now getting towards a price which tends to limit the consumption of them /n a marked degree. the demand is still.good. Not only is there a keen local demand, but inquiries- arc also being received from the' North Island, where supplies arc apparentfy shorter than here FLOUR It is expected that there will be a new development in the flour market soon. Most of the Australian flour that is being brought inttj the Dominion at present is subject to a dumping duty of about 12s 6d a ton. This represents the difference between the price at which flour is sold for export to New Zealand and the price at which it is sold for consumption in Australia, after certain allowances have l»een made for , expenses that are said to be incurred on flour sold for home consumption that are not incurred on flour sold for export. However, advice has been received by merchants here that Australian millers are considering the matter of lowering the price of flour for home consumption whilst keeping the export price at the present, level. If this is done it will probably mean that the dumping duty will be wiped out, and that it-will be possible to land Australian flour here at about 12s 6d a ton less than at present. The New Zealand Government are considering a request for increased protection for the wheat growers, but the Australian miller? appear to be so keen to capture the New Zealand market that probably the only way that more protection could be afforded would be by increasing the existing duty’ of £3 a ton on imported flour The Government have already stated that the duty cannot be increased without the sanction of Parliament, and in any case they have an understanding with the Commonwealth Government that they will not increase any duties without first giving six months notice. Therefore, even if the Government were prepared to grant increased protection, it seems to be out of the question in the meantime. Recently the price of New Zealand flour was reduced £1 a ton in order to compete with the imported article, but, if the latest move of the Australian millers comes to anything. then a further reduction may have to b*e made. So far the reduction of £1 a ton in the price of flour has not been followed by a decrease in the price of bread locally, so that it appears that this decrease is not going to take place. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT Cauliflowers were very’ scarce to-day , and were practically unprocurable Peas are dearer at 6d a lb. Cabbages cost 9d and Is each, lettuces 6d each, pumpkins 4d a lb, onions 31b for Is or 9d a string, beans 5d a lb, cucumbers 2d. 3d and 4d each. Cooking tomatoes cost 31b for Is and 41b for Is. hothouse tomatoes 6d. Pd. and Is a lb. bananas 6. S, 10 and 12 for

Is. Cox's orange apples 6d a lb. Worcester Pairman apples 31b for 1?, lemon 6 for Is, pears 61b a lb, grape fruit 8d each, navel oranges 4d each or 3 for Is. peaches 9d a lb, grapes 2s and 2s Od a lb. water melons 6d a lb. .strawberries Is a box, blue diamond plums 31b for Is. Damson plums 41b for Is. Burbanks plums 6d a lb Plums are selling oheapTv at present. FISH. Fair supplies of fresh fish were avail able to-dayv Quinnat salmon is fairly plentiful. Following are some prices a lb for fresh fish Groper Is (in the piece). Is 3d (cutlets) ling Bd. king fish Is, soles and flounders Is, quinnat salmon 2s 3d. Whiting is selling at 4 for Is.