TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20249, 8 May 1929, Page 9

TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

GOOD COUNTRY CONDITIONS,

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW.

The week has opened very well for general wholesale business, particularly with the country districts, Not only >s dairy prodiico realising good prices in London—butter being just a shade higher than during the corresponding week of last year—but also beef is thought to be definitely ' tending toward higher levels, although just at present the exact position, is partly obscured by the fact that farmers are buying store cattle to eat down the abundant pastures. It is not often that winter has started with pastures in such good condition as is tho case this year. If this brings all the cattle through tho winter in prime fettle .it will doubtless encourage the farmers to rear a larger proportion than usual of their calves next spring,, to take advantage of tho world's beef market. The policy of heavy top-dressing lias been proved to increase very greatly the carrying capacity of old pastures, this being the one striking result of tho "fertiliser war" which encouraged farm: ers to use more than usual last year. Repoi'ts indicate that in tho Waikato and other dairying districts production will show a proportionate, increaso in future seasons. Travellers speak very . cheerfully of tho general tone of business in the country, resulting from these conditions.

City trade shows a .little improvement, but not as much as traders would like, there being apparently excessive caution in many departments. Hardware houses are putting through a very fair amount of, business, buying being all the moro active on account of the confidence in prices which is now felt. With competition dragging down quotations from British manufacturers, there was a tendency to reduce purchases to immediate reauirements, and to cut down stocks. However, prices seem more stable now, and advices have come to hand which, suggest that a higher range of values might rule before long. Merchants are expecting increased calls from tho farmers during the next few weeks, as farm improvements are mostly carried out during tho slack dairy season. EASTERN GOODS. The delay' to the Sussex is _ most unfortunate, for many lines of daily use were already in short supply,, on account of indents by the last direct steamer being limited. Inquiries have located short local stocks in these, whereas they would hardly have caused any inconvenience if this vessel had continued tho voyage in duo course. Importers are anxiously awaiting more dehnifco advice of the actual damage suifereu, so that they can order supplementary quantities for shipment via Australia. Sago and tapioca are in this position, as heavy stocks are never hold here, importers depending on regular shipments. It will now bo necessary to augment stocks by importing from Australia at more expense, or else wait until new indents can arrive via Australia. , . Singapore canned pineapples are also selling so well that importers cannot very well wait for the remnants of the Sussex shipment to arrive, but will require to send on fresh orders. The market remains favourable in Singapore, and low prices should encourage tlie sale during the rest of the year. . Spices are generally held hero in sufficiently large quantities to cover any irregularity in supplies. Importers will probably pet the advantage of; slightly lower prices in pepper for their replace orders.

CALIFORNIAN FRUITS. Further advices this week explain that tho frosts throughout California were specially sever© on all the early flowering fruits, such as apricots, peaches, plums, prunes and almonds, so that all these varieties will return a small crop. Estimates vary m the meantime, but in some varieties it hag been suggested that only half the normal will be gathered. In prunes this has made the position rather seriouß, for it is estimated that stocks never been so low at thia time of the year since 1914, and some sizes are already unobtainable in San Francisco. Prices are now very largely speculative, duo to the varying informal)oi\ obtained by individual packers .regarding the season s prospects, but all show a more or less pronounced advance, whether in canned or dried It seems likely that . the European _ fruit crop may also be> reduced in some varieties, owing to the bad weather conditions m the winter and early spring, so that this may help Californian prices further. Australian packers are adopting a cautious attitude in quoting until they ascertain to what extent they cg,n take advantage of the Californian shortage. Raisins hardly seem likely to have suffered much from a frost so early in the year, but prices have hardened a little in California The Spanish crop is apparently likely to turn out about normal, for the latest quotations for new season's muscatels are no higher, tigs are also a variety that would suffer very little from frosts m the early springy and new season's Turkish are quoted at very favourable rates. CHE mjcALS.

Cream of tartar depends bo much on the grape crop that some anxiety has been ielt regarding a rise advised by cable. A strong market is also reported in tartaric acid and citric acid. GIKGER _

With the heaviest autumn demand over, importers are not bo much interested in the market, but advices show a strong tone in Japan and China. EGGS. Duck eggs are getting much naoro plentiful. and retailers reduced their price to Og this week. Hen eggs are still very scarce, and readily command 3s. POTATOES. The local market is still-very well supplied. Merchants are asking £8 ex store for best repicked Southern, but tho Bale is restricted by rather large offers of good quality from Pukekohe. Southern shippers are very firm in their, forward quotations, as they are making great efforts to get the restrictions on export to Australia modified, in which case they should find a good outlet for largo quantities at remunerative ° nCeS ' ONIONS.

A good trade is being done in Southern at £9 10b to £lO. according to quality. Good quantities have arrived for merchants, and also several parcels on .consignment, but local growers are holding firm on the balance of their crop, in case the Australian demand raises the price. In the meantime moderate Quantities from the South Island are going to Sydney. , OATS AND CHAFF. .

Both are in only moderate demand. A little contracting work is going on in the country districts, but otherwise the requirements at present are very limited, as pastures are particularly good. WHEAT AND FLOUR

No changes have taken place. The usual regular business is passing, with buyers and sellers satisfied that prices will be held firm ns long as tho tariff on imports is kept up. BEAN AND POLLARD. Pollard is being heavily imported from Australia. t,o make ud for the local shortage, and merchants are meeting a good demand at £lO 10s. Stocks were very light until the arrival of the Marama this week, but thero will be a much larger supply to hand shortly, as the Kaiianga is almost due to load at Adelaide and Melbourne. Bran is in moderate supply. MAIZE. Firmer at 6s 9d ex store, and any small consignments to hand are readily picked up. Demand is increaaintr as the winter season approaches. FERTILISERS. Apparently most of the autumn topdressing is over, for the orders for super are beginning to slacken, and only moderate quantities, will bo required until the spring However the farmers could not get their basic slag when required, on account'of the delay at European ports, and they will have to accept late delivery of two shipments due this month,. A shipment of North African phosphate is also due by the Roisdale at the end of this week.

FLAX. Large supplies arc still coming in. and the grading keepa up well. Unfortunately the overseas markets are weak, with no signs of improvement, but shippers contmuo to send their, available .stocks away, so that no accumulatioas are piling up in Auckland The best prices now ruling are up. to £2B for good fair- £2fi for high noint fair. £24 for low point and £22 for common.

FRUIT FROM OTAGO. HEAVY EXPORTS ASSURED. i [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN,' Tuesday. Contrary to Otago's export of apples and pears this season will practically equal that of last season, which was a record, The last vessel from Dunedin will take 21,000 cases for London and 3000 for Montevideo.