SOUTHLAND MARKETS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14885, 27 January 1914, Page 8

SOUTHLAND MARKETS.

(SPECIAL TO ''THE PRESS.") j INVERCARGILL. January 25. ! Oats.—The market is quiet, and j buyers are hanging back, expecting lower prices with the advent of tlio new crop. It is uncertain what the attitude of farmers may be in respect to the new crop, but firmness on their part seems the only chance of preventing a further decline. Owing to the large increase in motor traffic, the,

consumption of oats all the world over has greatly declined, therefore, in a season such as the present, when no outlet appears in sight outside the ] Dominion, high prices cannot be expected to rule. Merchants have had to reduce their prices to farmers by a penny, the highest for A grade Gartons being Is 7Jd, 0.t.c.5.5.e., and proportionately less for other grades. The high price of sacks for. this season, viz., is going to be a further factor in decreasing the return to the farmer of his oats. All merchants' sales for export are made sacks in. Chaff.—There is a good demand for chaff, and £3 5s on trucks is readily obtainable by farmers for prime quality. Potatoes.—There is very little doing in potatoes, as growers are onh luivin" from hand to mouth. Tho price is nominally now only 6s per cwt., with a distinctly easier tendency. Wheat.—There is a £ood demand for fowl wheat, but very little prime ciunlity Ls offering. This would readily command 3s 6d on trucks, sacks extra. There is none of last year's milling wheat loft in growers' hands in thLs district. J