CANTERBURY MARKETS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 197, 15 May 1920, Page 10

CANTERBURY MARKETS

' By TelecraDh—Press Annotations Christchurch, May 14. There has been a-strong 1 movement, in oats during the week'. It is reported that business with South Africa has been done through Australia, and this unexpected market has given a stimulus to the position. Notli Island merchants are now operating to cover forward business, and possibly the South African opening has hastened their , activities. Up to 5.1. lid. f.o.b. South Island, equal to 5s. 1 2d. at country stations, has been paid during the past few days, and generally, although tho amount of business with farmers has been small, tho "tone of the market is healthy. Wheat is continuing to come forward fairly freely, though lack of trucks is hampering its delivery. Merchants say it is easily tho worst year in this respect for many seasons, whept being held up all over the province for lack ot' trucks. There is « firmer tone in the white clover market. Lack of shipping is having a dis-. • astrous effect on the potato market. Merchants are disinclined to operato until the stooks on hand are got awnji, and any initiative is coining from the growers themselves. Deals hove taken placo at .£1 at country stations, but quite a number at ,£3 Ills., and that about limits merchants' nffei's at present. The TCoromiko, which sailed for Auckland on Thursday, was compelled to shut out from 30 to 50 wagon-loads of produce, n I good proportion'of which were potatoes, on account of there being insufficient labour. There is a jjood margin for North Island business on local quotations if shipping, was available.