MARKET FLUCTUATIONS.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 7, 31 July 1856, Page 3

MARKET FLUCTUATIONS.

Our Native readers will observe in the market prices current published in this journal every month, that the prices of wheat, potatoes, and other New Zealand produce, are subject to constant change and fluctuation, arising from circumstances which many of the Natives do not yet fully understand, and which they are sometimes apt to attribute to a disinclination on the part of the Europeans to give them a fair value for their This, however, as we shall presently show, is not in realty the case. Unring the last few years a groat many Europeans from England and other parts of the world have been attracted to the neighbouring colonies, in search of gold. In fact, many of the Maories have gone to Port Philip, Geelong, and other parts of Australia in search of gold also Now these numbers jequired to be fed; and as there was not much wheat grown in Australia, that necessary article of food became scarce; and New Zf a'and being within a few days sail of Port Philip, they sf.dt over here to purchase wheat and potatoes, for which they gave high prices. The Natives as well as the European farmers in this country hoped that those prices would continue; but many of the people of New South Wales, finding the prices so

very high left off £old diggrng; and having a large extent of fine rich- land, thoy turned their attention to wheat growing. Thecrops raised by them this last year have been so abundant and good that they do not require to send to New Zealand for grain; therefore, the price of that article has fallen very much. Other articles of consumption have fallen in proportion; so that the European and Native farmers in New Zealand have been greatly disappointed. Great quantities of wheat and potatoes have been raised in California, and conveyed to New South Wales; and if a scarcity of food was to arise in New Zealand, ample supplies could beobtained from the same sources. This need not discourage the Natives from growing crops, as they are always sure of a remunerative price for what they grow; but they should not obstinately lose opportunities of sending their produce to market, by wailing for a higher price, as they are already aware that these fluctuations are as likely to cause a reduction as an advance in price. Markets are always vsry uncertain ; the price one day is not the same the next. A vessel loaded with flour coming into Auckland now would reduce the price of wheal even lower than it is at present, as no one would purchase; while, on the contrary, if there was no supply, the price would rise in proportion to the demand . The wisest course is to sell when a fair price can be obtained; as nothing is gained by keeping perishable articles beyond a certain time, —it may even result in great loss to the holders of such properly.