COMMERCIAL.

Western Star, 9 February 1917, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

PRODUCE PRICES CURRENT.

Wholesale.Fresh farm butter, 1/-. Fresh separator butter 1/2. Factory butter, £lb prints, 1/5. Eggs 1/-. Flour £ls 10/- to £l6 10/-. Oatmeal £l6 to £l7. Pollard £7 10/Bran £4 15/-. Retail.— . Fresh farm butter, 1/2. Fresh separator butter 1/4. Factory butter, £lb prints, 1/7. Eggs 1/3. Cheese 1/-. Flour 200, 34/-; 100, 17/6; 50, 9/-; 25, 4/6. Oatmeal 50, 9/6; 26, 4/9. Pollard 13/-. Potatoes (nett) 2d per lb. Bacon 1/3. Hapii 1/2. Bran 8/-. Onions 2d per lb. WHEAT AND FLOUR. CHRISTCHURCH, February 6. In addition to the information already telegraphed on the subject of the prices fixed for wheat, the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald stated to-day that he was intending to grant wheat growers 5s 5d per bushel in respect of next year’s crops or, at tire Government’s discretion, 5s lOd. DUNEDIN, February 6. A deputation representing millers _in Dunedin and Southland had a hurried interview with the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald to-night regarding the price of wheat. In reply to questions the Minister said that the price of sacks had been fixed at Bd,, payable bv millers. The price of wheat had been fixed f.o.b. at the main ports ascertained by the Government graders. The Government was not commandeering wheat. Millers could buy in the usual way. If the farmers refused to sell the Government would seize the wheat. Every purchaser and seller was required to furnish a report of the quantity bought and sold, and the purpose for which it was bought or sold. Persons buying for speculation were liable to a heavy penalty. Some farmers had two years’ wheat on hand; but they uould be compelled to sell.

In regard to railage on necessary wheat for mixing ■ purposes in the south, millers would be allowed to charge an extra price on flour. The import duty on Australian flour would be reunposed. This morning, the Minister said, he had been informed that it was impossible to land Australian flour here for £ls; but the deputation said it could be lauded at £l4 10b. Mr MacDonald said that, if necessary, the Government would"increase tire duty by another £l. The price of bran was £4, and of pollard £6. The Minister said that, according to the figures obtained by the Government Statistician, there were 1,550,000 bushels of wheat in the Dominion. The bulk was probably held by speculators. Farmers held only 250,000 bushels. If anything like that was found to exist, the Government would seize the wheat. WOOL MARKET. LONDON, February 1. The Bradford wool market still continues cautious and uncertain and the turnover is small. Prices are unchanged. The conference has not cleared the situation. At the conference Mr Willey, the Controller of Wool Supplies, said that, regarding the London sales, in order to avoid dislocation of business, and until other machinery had been set up, consigned wool not required for Government contracts would be released to private trade, with a fixed minimum reserve and the terms of payment cash in fourteen days. The Department is arranging to deal with large cargoes at Liverpool, Manchester, and Hull, and Mr Goole is considering arrangements to hold auctions at some of these ports.