UP GOES THE PRICE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 8

UP GOES THE PRICE.

COMMODITIES ON THE RISE. That the people of Wellington are going to feel the effect of tho present watersidors' strike, and that almost immediately, has been already established bv -the jump which tho prices of ordinary commodities —the necessities of life —have taken within the last day or two. On Wednesday last good Oamaru potatoes were selling,as low as £3 10s. per ton. Yesterday the same lino of potatoes fealised £7 per ■ ton at tho "•markets, and as there is only a very limited quantity of them tho tendency Is a firming ono the wholo time. Yesterday tho potato market was besieged by Chinese shop-keepers, greengrocers, and grocers from all parts of the city and suburbs who naturally wish to be in a position to - keep their customers supplied. . The new potatoes that nro being re- ' eeived from Otaki and tho north are few in quantity and small in size. Before the strike they were selling in the markets at ljd. to l£d. per lb., with a lowering tendency. Yesterday new potatoes wero sold at auction at 2Jd. ' per lb. Already thoro is a shortage of sugar in Wellington, which should not be _ a lasting inconvenionco as a supply (which usually arrives by steamer) could be forwarded by rail from tho Colonial Swnr Refining Company's works at Auckland. At present, however, thero is a shortage of stocks, and in sympathy with that shortage sugar has gono up £1 a ton. Flour (almost tho wholo of which comes from the south) is 111 fair supply, but influenced by the 'demand the price has been advanced by 225. 6(1. per ton, on what it was a weok ago,

and is now Belling at £11 per ton. Chaff lias advanced from £5 ss. to £6 10s. per tou.