THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1925, Page 4

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

RETAIL TRADE IMPROVES. AMERICAN RAISINS AND SULTANAS STILL ADVANCING. NEW SEASON'S SALMON ARRIVED. Auckland "Star" Office, Wednesday, November 4, 1025. Retailers opened up artor tlie holidays 10 quite a rush of business, which lasted for the first row clays and then steadied down as the accumulation of orders was overtaken to a steady volume, which lasted Tor the rest of the week. Cash payments, due to the monthly wages cheques beins paid on Hie Friday, showed a steady increase all round, both Friday and Saturday being , particularly good for counter trade. Wholesale merchants report that trade is maintaining- almost as much volume as the previous week, so that it Is hoped that the improvement in business R-eneraily will bold till over the end or the year. A summary or trade returns for the previous month shows that business was maintained at average volume. Shortages were experienced in seasonable lines, rollowing on increases in first costs, with the result that spot prices were in many cases moved to higher levels. South African apricots are now getting , scarce, with the result that higher pr!6es arc ruling. Australian twos are in fair supply and are attracting attention at present wholesale rates. Local stocks of dried apples are about done and prices are rairly high, i New Callfornian are expected early in the month and should land at favourable costs. Prunes on spot are extremely scarce, the larger sizes being practically unprocurable, with the medium and smaller sizes held for higher premium. Peaches are in small supply, but present demand is quid. Raisin stacks are extremely low for both bulk and carton fruit and in some quarters certain brands are being carefully rationed out in view of the small shipments coming down this side of Christmas. Forward quotations art ruling- lor hig-hfr prices in all varieties and present indications point to buying- on to-day's values being a very safe investment. Lime Juice. One of the local manufacturers has advised the trade that tnoy have reduced the price, of Ships Lime Juice in the following sizes:—lints one shilling, quarts one shilling and sixpence, and forty-ounce four shillings and sixpence per dozen. Jellies. Owing to the recent reductions which have taken place In sugar, one or the local manufacturers has revised his price or jelly crystals and is now quoting at a reduction of nlnepence per dozen. v American Resin. i Since quotations were received about three weeks ago, advising a nrm market, fractional reductions have taken place on the G grade "ot 12/6 per ton and on N, 7/G per ton, but these slight alterations In quotations are not expected to have any definite effect on the present situation as they are regarded as being only or a temporary nature. The information received In connection with the general shortage or stocks throughout the country Is correct, as a report received from one or the largest exporters or resin in the States states that the decrease in the woods and the ports combined Is 37.9 per cent, but taking into consideration the Tact that the report does not cover all Georg-la and Florida, which had stocks or rrom five to nine thousand barrels last year, while this year there are no stocks to speak or in the woods throughout the belt, it is estimated that the decrease when the belt is taken Into consideration will be nearer 50 per cent. The only possibility that buyers would have or getting- any stock through at any considerable reduction on present indent rates would be ir a direct .boat rrom New Orleans was advised. At present all shipments are being made ex New York, which SXF&Ai 3 10/ per ton more Sardines. The new pack of quarters King Oscar Brisling came to hand a rew weeks ago and .in consequence or Tavourable landing costs merchants have been able to alter their selling prices slightly in buyers' VavSur revised Quotations being- at a reduction of threepence per dozen. Preserved Ginger. Owing- to the extreme difficulty that shippers have experienced during the last rew months In effecting shipment or ginger and other lines from China, due to the unsettled state or the country, there has been an almost entire absence of the usual quotations and In consequence the various lines have appreciated in cost accordingly At present there Is a local ractory in Auckland manuracturlng preserved ginger rromthe root which is imported from China In barrels, but owing- to being- unable to obtain supplies of the latter rrom shippers, they have had to temporarily close down. Australian ractories are much in the same position, they cleared their available stocks some time ago, in Tact they could have sold it three times over and are now accepting orders ror delivery when they are able to obtain supplies at buyers approval or price when named. It is considered, however, that it will be very doubtrul ir they will be able to make any deliveries this year. During the last rew days one of the larger indent houses has offered to book indent business ' ror December shipment, the rates quoted representing an unprecedented advance on prices that were. In operation six months ago, and In comparison to the last quotations available, 56 pound boxes are at an advance or one penny halfpenny per pound, 28 one penny three-firths, and 14's one penny three rarthings. The wholesale cost or, say, 14/, would work out under the revised cost at approximately 1/5 per pound, to which must be added the wholesalers and retailers profit. Lentils. Since the report a Tortnight ago on the position or Indian Lentils, the market has taken on a firmer tone and business that was cabled up immediately arter the last advance was not confirmed, as shippers replied that they could not accept business except at a Turther advance or £1 per ton The market ror Egyptian Lentils has also firmed up during the last week, Indent quotations now being listed at an advance of .£2 10/ per ton on previous rates. Salmon. A summary or the position in regard to "British Columbia salmon shows that all packers have withdrawn Cohoe and Pink grades in ones and halves owing to" depletion of stocks, and with the exception or only two packers, other houses are now unable to offer business on any grades ; other than ones, tails, chums. The two i packers referred to are quoting small parcels of Sockeyo ones and halves, but these are only offered at a high premium on opening rates. The first shipment or ■ new season's salmon, which was mostly brought down against forward contracts, was brought by the Aorangi on her last trip rrom America, but owing to inclement weather at the time of her arrival In Auckland, part or the cargo was carried on to Sydney and not delivered until on her return trip, which accounts for the ; delay in deliveries. Sultanas. Smyrna Sultanas In the Tour crown quality are now listed on a slightly weaker market, the reduction listed being- approximately 3/ per hundredweight. Cordials. Certain sections or the trade have looked ror a drop in the price or cordials, owingto the recent reductions in sugar, but It is estimated that no alteration will take place as the increase In the cost or bottles vprt,,^n c Tor the slight r«? v ?" m c cost of ingredients. In cost or bottles will be aPmL certain to rorce packers to advance their prices Dates. i London shippers now adeise that loose pack new season's Khed-awl Dates have been definitely withdrawn. Ceylon Tea. At the weekly sale held in Colombo on the 27th inst., the quantity offered ror auction amounted to 1,600,000 pounds Quality did not measure up to the same, standard or the previous rew weeks and in comparison showed a distinct railing- onTaking into account the inrerior qualities that were offered, the market proved very strong- and various grades were sold at advances on the previous week's prices Common Broken Pekoes advanced one hairpenny, Sweet Broken Pekoes one hairpennv Price Broken Orang-e Pekoes a rartUlng-! while Medium Broken Orange Pekoes and First Classic Brokens remained unchanged and Newera Ellyas recorded a rail or one penny halfpenny per pound. Exchange jjii 15 3*nd!i unalterea, belns c l uotecl at 1/6

Plug Tobacco. Distributors of Gipsy Plug advise that this brand has been reduced 1/1 per pound to the retail trade and that the usu3l quantity concessions have been withdrawn. This reduction places this line on a particularly attractive basis and will only hold g-ood for as long as present stocks last. Dosiccated Cocoanut. Oversea markets are showing , a slight weakness and in consequence Indent quotations are now listed at small reductions on previous prices. In one instance a fall or 6d, and in another 9d per hundredweight is recorded. Cornflour. Canadian bulk cornflour is being quoted for forward delivery at a further reduction of £1 per ton, which will take effect on shipments made from Montreal this month. Raisins and Sultanas. The American market !.= very firm, cables received at the beginning of this week recording further sharp advances on previous .Shippers state that while this market calls for soda-dipped and Oildipped varieties, the demand in the I'nited States and abroad is for the unbleached variety. The result Is that shippers have to keep withdrawing these two lines rrom the market owing- to the great difficulty they have been experiencing In securing supplies of bleached fruit, as the growers are not anxious to go to the expense and trouble of bleaching when they can readily sell their crop of unbleached In U.S.A. Prices have already been withdrawn several times, buyers being unable to get confirmation. They are again relisted at heavy advances on previous rates. soda-dipped Thompsons seedless raisins, 2/3 per hun-dredweig-ht; oil-bleached sultanas, 2/3; Thompsons bulk seedless unbleached raisins have advanced, a further 4/ per hundredweight; seeded cartons have advanced 7/ per hundredweight, and unbleached sultanas 3/6 per Hundredweight. Hardware. Wholesale hardware merchants report that the change to fine weather during the last ten days has given a better tone to business and that both local and country returns are maintaining , good volume. The drier weather nas caused retailors to think about replenishing stocks of garden hose, with the result that local stocks of some sizes are getting- low and rorward shipments that have been offered from shipments arriving are aJmost completely sold up. Lawnmowers are in good demand, and rrom shipments now land ing there has been a certain amount of interhouse selling:. Small lines of household" Ironmongery are landing:—Corinthic: Fire shovels, lamp chimneys, salt boxes, dust pans, etc. Trewyn: Lawnmowers, door bells, fly swatters, wire goods (egg beaters, sink brushes, etc), Daisy fly killers, coat hooks, rruit jar rings. Wholesale Current Prices. Dairy Produce.— Superfine quality creamery butter, booked 1/10J per lb prompt cash; Opotikl, 1/03 per lb; Anchor, 1/0 J per lb; first grade ractory, 1/94 per lb booked, 1/9 uer lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, 1/8J per lb booked, 1/8 per lb for prompt cash; farmers' separator, 1/4 per lb. Cheese.-—First grade ractory, medium size, 103 dto Hid per lb; loaf, l/l to 1/2 per lb. Bacon.—Hams, 1/2 to 1/4 per lb; rolled hams, 1/3 to 1/5 per lb; boned hams, 1/34 to 1/5} per lb; bacon sides, l/l to 1/2 per lb; rolled sides, 1/3 to 1/4 per lb; middles, 1/4 per lb; shoulders, 10d to 1/ per lb; rolled shoulders, 1/ to l/l per lb. Lard, bulk, lid to 1/ per lb; pats, 1/ -to 1/1 per lb. Flour.—Local and Southern, 2001b sacks, £19 15/ per ton; 100's, £20 10/ per ton; 50's, £21 per ton; 25's, £21 15/ per ton, less 2* per cent discount. Sharps and Bran.—Australian pollard. £10 15/ per ton, bran £10 5/ per ton. Local sharps £10 10/ per ton, bran £9 10/ per ton. Linseed.—Whole 24/6, ground 25/. -