EXPORTATION OF OATS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 950, 2 July 1880, Page 3

EXPORTATION OF OATS.

(North Otago Times)

There is every probability that the exportation of oats from New Zealand to the home markets will yet assume something like the proportions of the wheat shipments. Many years'ago it was thought unsafe to venture the shipment of wheat home, but notwithstanding the uncertainty the venture was made, and it turned out a successful one. The recent trial shipments of oats have also been successful, and this has caused a more active enquiry for milling samples in large lines. Although as yet the price of oats has not been appreciably altered on the strength of satisfactory advices from home, there is, however, a possibility that before long the market value of this cereal will bo regulated by the prices obtainable in the English markets. From the port of Lyttelton there were shipped this season 400,032 sacks of wheat, and P. 3,975 sacks of oats, and we feel assured that the 'different shipping companies trading to New Zealand would find it greatly to their advantage to make such a reduction in freights as would give importers some profit on their shipments. This applies more particularly in the case of oats, many holding back on account of the small margin for profit. If the cost of freight was reduced, there can bo little doubt in oats alone all home ships would find full return cargoes, and this in the long run would necessarily make up, if not more than make up, the amount of any reductions. There is yet a ray of hope for the holders of oats.