OUR PRODUCE AT HOME

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 325, 26 February 1910, Page 5

OUR PRODUCE AT HOME

! WHY THE PRICES SUFFER. "\ By Telegraph.—Tress' Association. Wellington, Friday. The following report, dated 25th December, 101)!), has been reecived from the High Commlsisoner:— •'As indicated in the report which T \ made to you, and by cable despatched to Wellington last week, the market for Now Zealand butter has been in ait unsatisfactory i ondition. Although it might have been expected, owing to the considerable shrinkage in the supply of Danish butter and the increased demand by retailers for their requirements for Christmas fade; that prices for New Zealand parcels ex Tainui would have been firmly maintained, this was not done. The agents handling Danish butter advanced their prices to their ciients. and obtained 127s to 12Ss, uwi. in some Instances as high as 130s. On the other hand, unfortunately, several agents handling New Zealand butter, instead' of holding firmly, appeared to be nervous, and offered the parcels they were handling at reduced prices. Naturally the buyers, seeing this, hung hack and reduced their offers. Several weak holders sold New Zealand butter at 108s and 109s per cwt. In my opinion, the price realised, for butter on spot the week previous to the TalnuiV arrival (112s) should have been maintained. There 'Wa,s no valid reason for the low prices mentioned being accept - I cd, but naturally when this was done ! the stronger holders had to follow the market and reduce their prices accordingly. Tn this manner the average quotation could not be made higher than 110s for New Zealand butter last week. This week, however, owing to the bulk of the Tainui's s'hipment having passed into second hands, the mar- ' ket has again been firmed up, and 1 Pis ' has been realised. Now that the I Christmas trade has been fully satis- ! fied. witk the expectation of a lull in business' next week, and at the same time of larg(> Australian arrivals, there is a tendency towards lower prices j again. The Danish quotation is this I week being reduced, so I«do not anticipate the New Zealand quotation can be given higher than \Us. ' New Zealand butter this season would 'appear to be more widely distributed than usual in tlie hand-, of selliag agents, amongst whom there is no concentration an with the Danish trade for the maintenance of values. Everywhere satistaction Is expressed with tho quality of the butter arriving from the Dominion this season. Although wo have made numerous enquiries, no complaint of fistiiness or other fault has been reported. Tlie cheese market Is vc'v quiet at ■present, and tne outlook is not. promising for any advance in price. It. is pleasant to have to record that buyers" express satisfaction iwith the quality of New Zealand .■'hecse this season. Th© trade this' week has not been at all brisk, and 54s per cwt. for colored and 55s for white Ts' now the general quota-' tion.