COMMERCIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 77, 20 March 1908, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

DAIRY PRODUCE REPORT. Messrs. K. Griffiths & Co., dairy produce exporters, New Plymouth, arc in receipt of the following market report from their London principals, Messrs. -Mills & Sparrow, dated 7th February, 11)08:YVeather continues seasonable, with a slight rise in temperature during the week, The market for all descriptions of butter is quite " panicy." The demand continues to be stimulated by retailors selling their butter at a very considerable loss, as the big shopkeepers have all made butter their leading line for some time past, and do not wish to admit that they are beaten. Supplies continue to show a decrease aa compared with last year, and the consequence was it was found there was not enough butter to go round, and a 10s advance was made for this week's arrival, which have been cleared readily, and a further 10s is being asked for next week's arrivals, and we expect to see [ii-iees for Danish, New Zealand, and Australian all about 140s. The retailers during the past few days have decided to give up selling "Is butter,'' and prices have been raised to Is Id and Is -'d. If 140s becomes the standard price for next week, still further advances will have to be made to consumers. This should check the demand and steady the market. The speculative buyers of colonial butter are getting huge profits just now, and those factories who have adhered to the cheapest method of marketing their produce, namely, through reliable commission houses, are reaping golden harvest for their supplies. Danish.—Demand continues brisk. Copenhagen advanced prices five kroner ((is),and with the demand being thrown from Australian on to Danish, we look for a further advance next week.

I Siberian. —Arrivals continue light, and owing to the scarcity of uiidcrpricid , butters generally, very liigli prices are being made. I French.—Fresh orders have been given for French butter, which liavc been partly executed at a material advanoo over last week. American.—The high prices arc drawing further supplies from the States, and 5,000' packages were shipped last week. Quality, generally, is quite common, but it is selling at 116s to 1245, as there is nothing else at the price. Australian.—Market opened for this week's arrivals per b.s. India at 128s to ISOs. The butters were rapidly absorbed and sellers advanced prices for next arrival per s.s. Oinrah to 1403, which is the general price to-day. Very little notice is being taken of quality just now, the main desire amongst retailers being to get hold of the butter. Meiv Zealand. —Those factories who have sold for the season must be feeling somewhat sad when their competitors who have consigned arc making present rates. The butlers per s.s. Tongnriro sold at around 128s to 1325, and 140s is asked for next arrival, i'riees have l)een advancing hourly, so there will be'considerable irregularity in prices cabled out.