THE MARKETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19721, 11 December 1926, Page 9

THE MARKETS

GRAIN AND PRODUCE NO ALTERATION IN WHEAT I CHAFF FROM TASMANIA There is a general slackness in the market for grain and produce and for some lines there is little demand. A review of various lines follows: Wheat. No alteration is reported in Aus-( tralian wheat although it is | generally believed that Australian exporters will have to quote lower prices | later on, but at the present time, Mel- I bourne is the only centre to quote for ; forward delivery. With regard to the market in this country, it is considered ihat supplies will have to be augmented by importations from across the Tasman. Chaff. Tasmanian chaff is now reaching New Zealand and is preferred by some ■ importers to that from South Aus-! tralia. It is all oaten, whereas Adelaide chaff is a mixture of wheaten and oaten. New season’s New Zealand chart’ is not expected to bo available until the middle of January when Marlborough will distribute the first supplies. Rangitikei will probably deliver before tho end of February and Hawke’s Bay will possibly have little, if any, for export. Oats. A decided dullness is still evidenced in oats. There is but a moderate consumption and demand is lifeless. South Island holders appear anxious to *ell but as yet, have not reduced their quotations. Bran and Pollard. Only a moderate demand is felt for these lines. The development of the pig industry in some parts of New Zealand, however, is cxpecteck to stimulate demand to a fair extent. Kapok. Recent cables from Samarang report that the present crop has not, as yet, turned out up to expectations. It is indeed, estimated that it will be about 5 per cent, below the average. As a result of this position, together with the reported strong financial standing of the growers, the market for prime Samarang quality has advanced one farthing per pound. Jute. Calcutta advices slate that after extensive buying, the mills had quietened off, and nothing had been done of late'. Nutmegs. Indent, quotations remain fairly high, the amount of business, however, Doing .sufficient for buyers’ ordinary, requirements only. General Drapery. The good weather experienced this week has given a much needed stimulus to trade in general and drapers have done some good business. There is also ! good evidence that the preliminary ' Christmas shopping has started, and ; everything points to a fair termination ! to what has been a very lean year. One | is pleased to notice the distinctive' fesi live appearance window dressing has ' taken on, and if profusion means busi- ! ness then most local drapers should i benefit. A very fine shopping week di.s- - was noticed this week at Levin, and it was a community effort which spelt success and merited the' atten- | tion of early Christmas shoppers. Wan 1 ganui could well copy such an effort in which all traders entered. The Textile World. A tentative stability appears to be manifested in tho woollen market and prices for the raw material seem to be holding up both here and at Home. ! Spinners are more' decided in their quotations and manufacturers are busy on small orders, for which prices are keeping up mainly on account of having to be made specially. The hand-to-mouth buying is no help to makers-up, and with fashion lines no great stocks are being held. Cotton is down in price to one-third of what it was in 1924. This instability in raw materials is having the direct effect of holding up contemplated orders buyers refraining from fully filling requirements in the' uncertain hope that a further reduction is probable. Manufacturers on the other hand cannot get costs down owing to the small and intermittent orders received, and this -position will apparently be maintained until more confidence is established.