FARM & COMMERCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2254, 14 September 1914, Page 8

FARM & COMMERCIAL.

OUR PRODUCE FOR LONDON .SUPPLY OF STEAMERS. In reply to an inquiry yesterday afternoon as to the position in regard to tho supply of steamers to take away Now Zealand's dairy produce, the l'rimo Minister said:— "The matter is being gone into very carefully. A Parliamentary Committee is now taking evidence upon tho subject and tho Department of Industries and Commorco also has tho matter in hand. As far as it is possible to judgo at present there is not likely to be any serious difficulty beforo tho end of tho year. :If any'difficulty does , arise it will be on account of the steamers that are now beinn; used as transports not getting back in time to be availablo during the busy part of tho season."

WHEAT AND FLOUR

JUST ENOUGH FOR OUR NEEDS. The Prime Minister has received by telegram' the first interim report from Mr. Justice Stringer, Chairman of -the Food Commission. The Commission, after taking evidence in Wellington, has, during-the past few days, been taking evidence from people with special knowledge concerning the supply of wheat and flour in.Christchurch. Mr. Ma-ssey informed a reporter that Mr. Justice Stringer stated that there was a strong preponderance of evidence from those best able to judge, that there will be just about sufficient flour and wheat available in New Zealand to sup-, ply the of' the population until next harvest is. gathered.

. "That' is satisfactory so far as it gees," said Mr. Massey. "I may say also that I. am in communication with the Commonwealth Government with regard to a suggested modification of their proclamation prohibiting the' export of wheat and flour from -Australia." In reply to questions Mr. Massey said that he had purchased, on behalf of the New Zealand Government, a considerable quantity of wheat in Australia. Some of the wheat was already in store in Wellington, and some' in Auckland, and somf of it was still in' Australia. *

_ Some of the flour merchants of Wellington received a shock on Saturday when, in response to orders cabled, they .wei'e advised by the same means chat the Government had prohibited the export of flour. Mr. H. Baldwin, who deals extensively in Australian fehicfly Victorian) flour, received the following cable from Minifie and Co., of Melbourne:—"Cannot ship any flour.' Government prohibits export." From Kimpton and Co., also of Melbourne, endorsement of the Government action came in the following cable: —"Unable. Government prohibiting exports meanwhile."

The prohibition placed oil tho export' of flour by the Government (presumably tile Commonwealth Government) is a more serious matter to New Zealand thau most- people would imagine. Though the freight on flour from Melbourne amounts to about ss. per ton more than from the southern ports cf New Zealand, and there is an import duty of £1 per ton, local merchants were still able to sell Australian 'flour about £1 per ton chcaper than New Zealand, and this fact has been a factor in keeping the price of New Zealand, flour within reasonable limits. With this flour blocked, it is believed that the . people of Now Zealand 'will be made to snlfer through;;' further rises in the price of local flour. Further, a hardship is imposed on certain bakers, who are in the habit of ] blending New Zealand , and Australian (lour for broad-malting purposes, and who will now liavo to readjust their j methods to providn for tlie use of all | New Zealand flour. Another argument against the prohibition is that the Government of New Zealand will loss a considerable amount of revenue. Tho firm of H. Baldwin and Co., of Wellington; alone imported 25S tons of Melbourne flour during tho past month, and it is safo. to say that at least double that quantity was imported into Wellington (for city and country clients) during the month, which means that in Wellington alone the Customs revenue will be affected to tho extent of £500 or £600 per month.

FROZEN MEAT STOCKS

| At a meeting of the Farmers' Union held ill Masterton last week it . was stated that when the varoius freezing works are working full timo there is only storage room for 18 days' ojitput of frozen meat in New Zealand. Mr. Cooper, the manager of the Waingawa Freezing Works, addressing the meeting, pointed out that farmers must .realise the difficulties which lie in the way of t ; he frozen meat trade during the coming season. The fact that insulated steamers were being utilised for tho transport of troops meant that farmers must be prepared to hold t'heir stock, and should therefore mako ample provision to winter feeding. Under the circumstances farmers who sow ail abundance of turnips should material benefit. In this connection tho .owners of the Maraeai Block, situated 14 miles south of Putaruru, point out that such an opportunity of buying unimproved land may never occur again. The land is particularly suitablo for turnips, and will' produce crops from the first furrow equal to any in New Zealand. Those, therefore, who have the foresight to select their section now and cultivate a portion for turnips this season will realise _ a profit which will go for towards paying the whole of tlio cost. Sections may be had in any size, and the terms are exceptionally easy. Inspect the land at once, and get your teams to work.

PAHIATUA FACTORIES

Tho milk supply at tho Mangatainoka cheese . factory last week-end (writes our Pahiatua correspondent) was' approximately 1200 gallons , from fifty-two suppliers, as compared with 820 gallons delivered on the correspond- [ ing period of last season. From the above quantity of milk, fifteen export cheese were manufactured. Tho rnillc tests for tho last testing period ranged from 4.4 to 3.0 per cent, of butter-fat. The additions recently effected are proving of great benefit to tho staff, besides making the factory more up to date. The new separator-room was completed last week, "and the wheyskimming plant will shortly bo installed. There is every indication that tho season's output of cheese will considerably exceed that of last season's. The new co-operative cheese factory, which is in tho course of erection at Tiohinui (Pahiatua), is nearing completion, and tho manufacture of cheese will shortly be commenced. The Rongokokako (Eketahuna) cheese factory opened the season last week with a supply of 450 gallons of milk. Many farmers in the Pahiatua district have taken advantage of tho favourable weather during tho past month to plough- up considerable areas of land for cropping purposes. There is every indication that tho lambing percentage in the* Pahiatua district. will be very good -this season (states our Pahiatua correspondent). The Roxdalo (Pahiatua) Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., has donated £20 to the Empire Defence Fund. A resolution carried at the annual meeting of, tile company gives the directors power to inako further contributions should it be deemed necessary to do so. The directors of the Kaitawa Cheese Company (Pahiatua district) decided at a meeting last week to donate one-half per cent, of the present season's output of cheese towards the fund for tho dis- 1 Jreased. J

MASTERTON A. & P. SOCIETY (By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) Masterton, September 13. Mr. 0. C. Cooper, president at tho monthly meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association yesterday: _ A suggestion from Mr. W. C. Tylce, in reference to the ewo classes at the show, was referred to tho Schedule Cominitteo.

It was decided to inform Mr. Wilfred Johnston, of the Auckland A. and P. Association, that the Masterton Association is opposed to tho abolition of reserve championships. . The matter of preparing an exhibit of frozen sheep for'the Panama Exposition was referred to a sub-committee.

It was reported that arrangements aro being made with , tho supervisor of agricultural experiments for the conducting of experiments in the cultivation of Swan Neck barley. Sub-committees were set up for tho ensuing year, and the reports of t-lio Ground and Finance Committees were adopted. The South Canterbury A. and P. Society has considered a suggestion to give certificates instead of money prizes at the' show next month, but has decided to adhere to the prize schedule as issued. —Press Association. Ever considered the advisability of installing a'water-wheel on your property? There's a lot of power running to i\ast6 Hn that swift stream-enough to drive all your farm machinery- This is a good sound proposition-means money to you. Write for particulars. A. J. .Partem, I Sheet Metal and Plumbing Works, Car-< terton.—Aclvt.

We are buyers of Home-separated Cream in any quantity, and will always give you the market value. All you have to do is to put it on rail and consign it to Wanganui Fresh Food and Ico Co, St. John's Station. We do the rest.— Advt.

LIVE STOCK SALES.

Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., rental on t-lioir usual fortnightly- at Levin yards ou Friday, when a, fftir iatdin" of' both sheep and cattle came forward. Principal sales were as 45.; 18-months steers, £4 3s. 6d. The Kow Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., report:—tte held our usual fortnightly alei at our Leun yards yesterday, and oifeisd a f<nr j aiding of cattle, practically the whole of the entry was sold. The lots passed m were afterwards sold privately. We quote as follow;— Store cows, to .43 lis.; foi\\aTd cows, to £4 165.; 15-month dau-y heifers, to £3; 18-month dairy heifers, to £3 lte.; yearling steel's, to £3 lCs.; mixed wca-neis, to £1 lis. ■ Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report on their sale at Levin on Friday Prime heavy wethers made 265. 9d. U) 275. 10d.; others, 235. 5(1-, 23& lCd., 245., 255., to 255. 3d.; fat ewes, lss. Id. to 245.; fat hoggets, 19s. lCd.; shorn fat wotlicrs, 21s. Id. to 225. Id.; low-conditioned ewes with lambs at foot, 225.; hoggets, %. 6d. to 15s. Bd.; light- fat cows, £6 15s. to £7 55.; storo cows. £2 10s. to £3 10s.; 3-yenr stecre, £o 17s. 6d.; 2-year steers, £4 6s. 6d. to £4 l3o.; 18-months and 2-year steers, £3 17s. 6d.; yearling steers, £2 10s.; yearling heuere, £2 10s. to £2 155.; yearling Jersey heifers, £3 ICtr.; springing heifers, £4 12s. 6d. to £8 10s. A large entry of pigs sold well at the following iiuc-tations:—Porkers, to £2 36. 6d.; stores, to 225.; weavers, to 165.; breeding sows, to £7; choppers, to -£3. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report on their Feilding sale, held last Friday ;-Ewos and lambs, 245. 6d.; good hoggets, 17e. id.; others, 10s.; fat wethers, 236. 2d. to 265. Cattle: Small weancr heifers, 215.; yearling steers, £2 95.; best heifers, at drop, £6 ss. to £8 7s. 6d. ;• othcro, £4 156. to £5 JOs.; 2-year steers, £5; forward cows, £4 7s.

Messrs. W. and G. TurnbuU and Co., Ltd., report on tlieir usual weekly salo in their Carterton saleyards on Friday:— Jersey cow, on drop, £13 155.; dairy cows, close to calving,. .£5, £6 55., to £7 10s.; Jersey cow, in milk, £5 lCs.; springing hoifers, £4, £4 10s., to £6; 2-year-old springing heifers (low condition), £3; forward cows, £4,. £4 is,, £4 19s. 6d., to £5 55.; 6toro cows, £3; 2-yeaj-old steers,' £5 # 4a.;' yearling steers, £3 10s.; yearling licifers,. 395.; 18-months" heifers, £2 19a; mixed weaners, 205., 225. 6d., 3Cs., 30s. Gd.; weaner steers, £2 Is. to £J lCs.; cow 6 and calves, £3 10s. to £4 17s. Pigs: Weaners, 13s. 3d., 13s. 6d., 14s. 6d., to 155.; slips, 16s. 6d„ 175., to 17s. ■ (kl.; porkers, 245. 3d. to 295.; 60W with litter, £3 ss.

Mr. Newton King, Iv'ew Plymouth, re-, ports:-On Monday l-aot at my Uremui yards I had a fair entry with (in improved inquiry, all linos being cleared at the following prices:—Yearling heifers, small, £1 10s.; yearling steers, £2 £e. to ■£2 18s.: empty heifars, £2 19s. to £3; store cows, £i 11a. Gd. to £4 125.; fat cows, (strong demand). £6 12s. to £9'50.; aged cows, £1 10s. to £2 Is.; springing heifers, best, from £5 10s. to £6 155.; others, £4 15s. to £5 Is. 6(1.: small, £3 10s. to £4 2a. 6d.; dairy coivs, £4 7s. 6d. to £7 ICs.; hoggets, 16s. fid.; store pigs, £1 135.; rough weatier pigs, Bs. 6d. At Stratford on Tuesday morning for my weekly springing heifer sale I had a good entry and attendance, and had a very oucccssful sale, best heifers selling at from £6 10s, to £8 55.; £ood sorts, £5 7s. 6d. to £6 55.; smaller, £4 to £4 17s. 6d.; dairy cows, £4 15s. to £6 10s., tho heifers sold averaging £5 18s. Private sales for the week as follow:—Yearling steel's,' £2 1&. to £3 7s. 6d.; store cows, £4 2s. to £•1 65.; forward cows, £5 55.; 2i to 3-year steors, £6 10s.; 2-year steors, £5 55.; fat bullocks, £9 12s. Gd. to £11; dairy cows, £11 2s. 6d„ £9, £8 55., £6 10s.; springing heifers, £7 10s., £7, £6 10s., £6, £5 155.; fat wethers. £1 ss. to £1 7s. 3d.; empty f.m. owes, 125.; hoggets, 155.; four-year draught maTc, £41.

Messrs. A, H. Atkinson and Co., .Ltd., report a very heavy yarding of pigs and a small one of poultry at their • Feilding sale. Though not easy of sale, pigs mado good priccs, and practically the wholo entry was quitted, while late rates for poultry were well maintained.. Owing to the counter attraction of the presence of the troops, not much other business was done at auction, though a considerable quantity, of various goods were sold privately. Quotations Pigs: .Warners, 10s„ 10s. 5d., 125.,. 135.; purebred, 18s. 6d., 195.;. slips, 15s. 6d„ lfe.. 16s. 6d„ 17s. 6(1., 18s. 6d.; purebred, 255.; stores, 245. 6d., 265. 6d„ 275. 6d., 295.; porkers, 355., 375.; baconers, 40s„ 455.; sow and litter, £6 ICe. Poultry, at per pair: Hens: 4s. 3d., 4s. 9d., 55., ss. 6d., 6a. 3d.; one purebred, 45.; pullets, ss. 6d.; roosters, 4d.; drake, 2s. 9d. Fruit and produce: Apples, 3s. 6d. half-cases, Bs. 6d. cases. Potatoes, table, ss. 6d„ 7s. 6d.. Bs. 6d., 9s. 6d. sack. Pig, 3s. Seed, 6s. Onions, Id. and lid. per. Ib, case and bag lots. Cauliflowers, 2d., 3d., 4d„ and 6d. each. I

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

INVESTMENT SHARES. There were no transactions in investment shares on Saturday. The quotations were us follow :— Buyera Sellerß. £ s. d. £ s. d. National Bank 4 12 6 — Bank N.Z. (£3 6s. Bd.) ... 9 8 0 - Bank N.Z. (£6 13s. 4d.) ... .14 11 0 - Union Bank 50 0 0 — Wellington Gas (£10) 15 fi 0 — Union Steam (ord.) 113 — Union Steam (pref.) — 10 0 Wcstport 17 6 19 0 Westport-Stockton 0 2 6 . Manning and Oo 3 17 6 4 0 0 Sharland (ord.) 0 18 0 Sliavland (pref.) 0 18 0 — Ward and, Co — 5 10 Customs duty collected at the port of Wellington on Saturday amounted to £2574 19s. sd. SHEEPSKINS. The Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce has received the following cablegram from tho High Commissioner for New Zealand, dated London September 10:— Very little is doing in tho hide trade. The iwerago price for New Zealand is 81a. per lb. Quotation is nominal. Quotations for sheepskins at last sale, held on July 30:—Merino, full-woolled, 7Jd. to 9id.; shorn 4J(I. to 7}d.; crossbred, line, BJd. to lljd.; coarse, BJd. to 10id.; shorn, sd. to 9d. Present quotations are not reliable. There liavo been only a fow private soles since that (late, and tendency Is downward. Next sale will take placo on September 17, and it is anticipated by brokers that a considerable fall in priccs is likely to occur, from Id. to lid., especially so in the caoe of shorn. Will cable results of tallow salo which took place on September 9. There is a fair demand for bettor, but no demand for poorer grades; 1400 barrels offered and SCO pieccs or barrels sold. Quotations, mutton and beef tallow respec-tively:—First-class quality, per cwt., 37s 345.; medium quality, 345., 315.; inferior 270., 265. 6d. BREADSTUFFS. I3y Telegraph—Press A aSociation-0 jpyright London, September 11, Wheat is quiet and unchanged. Australian landed is quoted at 48s. The American visible supply of wheat is estimated at 48,605,000 bushels. Flour Is ttoadily. bold, A"*KaU<m ei stoie is at 36a. UEWiida.

Oats o-ro quiet and unchanged. Beans and peas aro quiet but firm. SILVER. (Hoc. September 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 12. Bar silver is quoted at 25 3-Bd. per ounco standard. FHOZEIv MEAT. By Tele jrapli--Preo3 Association—Copyright (Hoc. September 13, midnight.) London, September 12. The Incorporated Society of Meat Importers' Sniithfioid market quotations for tli-3 undermentioned classes of frozen, meat ar-3 tosed on «ctoa! sales of not less than ono liund-red carcasses of mutton or lamb, or twenty-live quarters of beef of fair average quality. The quotations aro not for selected lines, hut for parcels fairly representative of tho bulk of tho chip mentis now on the market. The prices which follow arc 011 the average «, farthing per lb. more than- tho values ex ship, this difference representing the average cost In, expense, handling, conveyance, and selling tho meat:—

Beef.—New Zealand and Australian"' fores, 55<1.; hinds, 63d.; Argimino frozen fores, ; hinds, 63d.; chilled fores, Ejd.; hinds. 63d. UalVics are firm and in good demand. The quality of the new am 70,1s is eicel--1 -:t. t, and tlio condition, mostly satisfactory. -