TO-DAY'S PRICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1920, Page 6

TO-DAY'S PRICES.

SOME LINES CHEAPER. SUMMER CORDIALS DEARER. With the frequent changes in prices of everyday articles which the householder lias to buy, the following brief summary of the market conditions reported in New l'lymouth yesterday will interest every woman who ediop's for the home:—

Oats.—The reduction of the freight to England to £(i 10s caused a little firmness in the out market, but very little business is being done locally, and low prices are quoted. Rolled Oat*.— The public may look for an early reduction of about 3d a bag on Oatina, Rolled Oats, and Creamoata,

Tinned Fish.—There is a better enquiry at the reduced prices sellers are asking. In round figures New Zealand imported iiJ million pounds for the nine months ending September, against about 1 1 ,/. millions fir the corresponding period last year. This explains the droprin prices, as dealers are overloaded rmd must quit, though prices show iu many cases a sharp loss. Soap.—The market is steady, and though tallow is weak, manufacturers state they do not expect an early reduction. Perhaps the wish is father to the thought. Potatoes.—The market is distinctly easier, and the sales locally are very heavy, as quality is very good for this time of the year.

Benzine.—We are importing on an average over a gallon a month for every man, woman, and child in the Dominion, and increasing our motor vehicles at the rate of a thousand a month, according to the statistics for the nine months to the end of September. Tapiocas.—Though very low rates.-are quoted for next steamer from Singapore, a letter received yesterday from the Straits Settlements hints that the bottom of the market has heen readied. The output from Penang, which is the biggest producing centre, has heen gradually decreasing, until it is now onlv 1500 tons a month. Tha Chinese, who nowadays are the only people interested in this industry, rarely get more than three crops. The old land is being absorbed for nil)ber-;.rr&Vi,'ing, and new land is difiicult to obtain in areas of sufficient size t.i warrant fresh planting. Cordials Syrups.—These will he dear this season in comparison with last year, as r.c. only has sugar advanced practically .'ouble in price, but bottles are hard to obtain at any price, and the public will have to pay more for their suinme- drinks accordingly. Fruits—-Fre-'h fruit is getting scarce now, but there are several lines of dried fruits in the local stores which should appeal to the consumer.