THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 70, 24 March 1926, Page 4

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

GOOD GROCERY TRADE. AUSTRALIAN SULTANAS AND CURRANTS WITHDRAWN. LOWER PRICES ON PRESERVKD GINGER. " Auckland Star " Office, Wednesday, March 24', 1926. Cicnnral merchant houses are showing: more activity this week. The distribution by rail and ship or goods for April account was commenced on Monday last, and a good volume of business is being , forwarded to the country and coastal towns. Town deliveries commence tomorrow morning-, and, although of fair volume, the amount of business booked so far lias been rather disappointing- when compared with the previous month's trading. The Island steamer arrived on Monday., and the mailed orders were delivered during- the samn afternoon, but merchants report that there is very little volume in them, so thai there will be no difficulty in shipping ai) requirements by return steamer. Last week was a quiet period for the rPtall trade, even Friday and Saturday, which are usually busy, being unusually dull, and the general returns so rar are smaller than ror March or last year. Further small shipments or meats arrived a few days ago rrom Wel-linE-ton, but the consignments coming- forward are so small that merchants are unable to build up any reserve storK, the different varieties going into consumption almost as soon as landed. Strong tea reports are still being received rrom primary markets, which is helping: to maintain a very strong market for bulk teas here, so that further advances are looked ror in the near ruture. The sugar market remains unchanged, as far as prices are concerned. Deliveries were much better during- the last week, it being- rather pleasing to report that the company have practically overtaken all back orders. A rew changes have been made in dried fruits, and the sudden withdrawal or quotations on Australian sultanas and currants last Saturday came as a great surprise to merchants, many or whom have not yet received •onflrmation of their rorward business. Raisins are still quoted at high levels, with some varieties very short on spot, and merchants endeavouring to substitute till further supplies come to hand. Prunes are still in a very strong position, with local slocks temporarily well held. Turpentine is easier ror rorward shipment, with later deliveries being quoted at lower prices. CiR-arette papers are -very short, Zig Zags, which are the most popular line, being almost unobtainable, suppliers recently advising merchants through their buyers that thpre would be a delay of at lnast three, months in all orders. In the meantime merchants have taken the opportunity or clearing- their stocks in many of the cheaper brands or papers, which were previously very hard to sell, but are now, in consequence of the general shortage, j very much In demand. Drapery. As predicted a week or two ago, wool piece goods are selling well, with reps very much in demand. In fact, the demand Tor reps has been so great that some houses are very low in stock, and will not be able to make any extensive displays of this material till the Rotorua, which is at present discharging cargo in Wellington, arrives In Auckland with further consignments. Another line much in demand at this time Is stockinette, which Is being: used very extensively for fashionable jumper suits. Stocks are now very low, with some shops practically cleaned up. Further supplies have been cabled for. but, as this material requires six weeks to I manufacture, it will be about fourteen or sixteen weeks before the market may be regarded as well supplied again. Velours, which had such a great run last year, are again, selling very freely this season Prices have shown a slight increase. Plain flannels and coloured tweeds are now in great demand, and some very fine samples of both English and New Zealand manufacture are being shown. In particular, the coloured flannels and coloured novelty tweeds turned out by the New Zealand mills have been very favourably received, and, where shown, nave met with a ready -ale. On account of the Easter holidays being somewhat earlier this year, drapers are expecting greatly Increased business during the next ten days, when all departments, particularly the showroom and millinery departments, are expecting to be very busy.. Currants and Sultanas Quick action has been necessary in connection with the buying of the new season's Australian currants and sultanas. It was only at the beginning of last week that opening prices were named, -with sellers stipulating , that buyers should advise their requirements early, owing to the possibility or an early advance. On Saturday last the chief New Zealand agents received a cable from the Australian Control Board stating that they hoped to conllrm orders in hand within a rew days, but that in the meantime they were to withdraw prices. Local buyers never anticipated such a quick change in the market, and it is hoped, when prices are again advised, that the alterations will not be or a very drastic nature. Butter Beans. The reature or the rorward position on Madagascar butter beans Is that this market has been noted at still further reductions to what were advised last week, prices now named showing a further fall of 15/ per ton. Japanese butter beans have also been offered at exceptionally low ligures, but advices received last week indicated that, owing to changes in the forward position, sellers were unable to g-ive buyers confirmation of orders sent forward the previous week. Preserved Ginger. The forward position of Chinese preserved ginger is more in favour of buyers this week, as quotations now listed show a reduction of id per lb in comparison to indent prices advised the previous week. The local market seems fairly well supplied just now. Shipments from Hongkong arrived a few weeks ago, which have been further augmented l»y consignments received from Australian manufacturers. The local factory is also in a more satisractory position as regards supplies or raw ginger, and is now able to give delivery or all orders, and, as tnelr prices are competitive and the quality quite equal to the imported article, a good portion of merchants' business has been placed in this quarter. Demand is fairly good at present, as there is a steady demand by the general public Tor supplies for jammaking, preserving, etc. Safety Matches. " During the last few, months the market ?o^,L een P de Juged with new brands of sa f etle s t( > such an extent that S'2 £' h0 brought supplies out on consignment have had great dimcmtv in OffeW h?v 6 p r I StOCkS - Some at orTe Ü b&nds onered have been very low in cost hut S, S ltlon 0 n!, Il ?« e ic a ch ,"«W *n ln tl,e°market position has taken place durinc the lact ™.<lf. as one of the Finland factories Turpentine. More favourable conditions have bepn in evidence in forward quotations for turpentine during the last weeiv the prices now advised Tor May shipment showing a reduction or 2d per gallon on those advised about a fortnight ago. Breakfast Food 3. Oats are at present showing a slightly weaker tendency, but it is unliKely that there will be any alteration in the present price of breakfast foods, owing to the fact that Tor the preceding lour montns oats were so high that millers would have b<>eu iiiite justilled in advancing their selling rates, but as they estimated the firm state or the market was only of a temporary nature they decided to carry on without making any advance. As a matter or Tact, the present alteration in oat prices means that quotations are again on the same level as they were before Christmas. Rolled oats and oatmeal were placed on the market by various millers last season in carton rorm at prices that wen estimated w>>< >i compete favourably with oversea brands, but on reviewing: costn air.' , :- >n?-e .ai... were on the market it was found that oatmeal was being sold at a loss, and prices were advanced 1/ per dozen a few weeks ago. It is understood that this advance does not adequately cover millers for a profit on their costs, and It would not come as a surprise to see further advances made on this line. Packet rolled oats naee 1101 been altered in price. . Ceylon Tea. At the sale held in Colombo on the 10th instant, only 1,300,0001b were placed under the hammer, which showed a reduction on the quantity offered the previous, week of 150,00Q1b-..-Quality was considered to be slightly better in most grades, and the market was generally considered to be firmer all round, although prices remained unchanged from the week previous. Competition, for. the . various parcels was very keen, exchange being quoted at l/6|.

Condiments. A well known local manufacturer advised the trade this morning , of 1/ per dozen reduction on quarts tomato sauce, and 1/6 per dozen on all varieties of pickles. Linseed Oils. The market for local grades or raw and boiled linseed oil lias shown a weaker tendency, and new price-lists issued about a week ago show a reduction or -id per gallon on both grades in all packings. Drained Cherries. There has been a slight price change in the rorward market Tor drained cberrio?, revised quotations received last, woelc showing: a decline or Id per lb on French, packing's. Cocoa Butter. The market for cocoa butter continues to operate on a murh stronger price basis, tlip last prices advised showing an advance or 3/ per cwt, with the market firm with upward tendency. Brazil Nuts. The weakness recently advised 111 tills market still continues, and quotations no-.v available show a reduction or 2/ per cwt in indent prices Tor prompt shipment. Asparagus. I In a recent rpport the total area in asparagus In California this year is estimated at 10.360 acres, as compared with 8000 acres last year. Opening rates wore marie available early in February, anrl prices were quoted at approximately ten to nfteen cents below last year's rates, ana also truaranteed against any further decline by packers up to December next. Polishing Wax. Owinfr to alterations in the cost of inpTPdients, the manufacturers or- •lohnston's Polishing Wax in Australia notified the trade last month that they had been forced to revise their selling- rates, ana that the 21oz size had been increased Bfl per dozen and the noz 1/ per dozen, with proportionate advances made on the larger sizes as well. i Fruit end Jam Jars. ! Australian manufacturers have now forwarded detailed prices lor all sizes and kinds of their preserving, jam and jelly jars Tor the coming season. The lisis received do not show any alteration on last year's quotations, which were very low in comparison with other oversea American lists. They Have made further additions to their lists, however, and now quote rubber rings manufactured specially Tor use with their jars. These are inuriv thicker than the rubbers usually sold, and. in consequence of their superior quality, should find a ready demand when placed on the market. j Hardware As hardware dealers are now delivering , g-oods booked previously Tor execution this week as the nrst of the month, business has in consequence opened up witii decidedly more activity than lias beon noticed for some few weeks past, and it is hoped, when bank balance is over and retailers have finished taking stock, that the impetus g-iven to the trade this week will continue. Although the demand for preserving- jars has fallen off very considerably, showing that the end or the season is being: reached, there seems to be still a quiet inquiry tor quarts wide mouth. Many of the merchants liava Mnished bringing rorward supplies, preferring not to take the risk or having a carry-over at the end of the season, ami it is unlikely that those who are still handling- them will land any further consignments after next week, as the demand is likely to stop short any time. Ex the rtntni-iia. fine in a few flays, there are further consignments or Skelton spades, ralce heads, and hedge shears landing. Further shipments or crockery are now at the wharf: White granite plates, white and gold cups and saucers, dinnerware (both plain and embossed), chambers, , pudding basins, etc. ! 'Wholesale Current Prices. Butter. —Superfine quality creamery butter, booked 1/7 J per lb, prompt cash, Anchor l/6i per lb, Opotlki i/6i per lb: first grade factory, 1/64 per lb booked, and 1/6 per Jb Tor prompt cash; second grade ractory, booked 1/5* per lb, and 1/5 per lb Tor prompt cash; farmers' separator, 1/2 per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild 10d to 10} d per lb. matured 1/0* per lb; loar, 1/0} per lb. Bacon. —Hams, 1/ to 1/3 per lb; rolled hams, 1/2 to 1/4 per lb; boned hams, 1/4* per lb; bacon sides, 1/ to 1/1, extra large Hid per lb; rolled sides. 1/1 to 1/2 per Ib; middles, 1/2 to 1/3 per lb; shoulders, 9d to lid per lb; rolled shoulders, lid to 1/ per lb. Lard: Bulk, 10d to ltd per lb; pats, lid to 1/ per lb. Breakfast Foods.—Oatmeal: Thistle, ! 25's bags £33, s's bags £35 per ton; cartons, 34's. 16/ per dozen. Oatlnuts: 25's bags £34 per ton, 3*'s cartons 20/ per dozen. Standard oatmeal and gruelrneal: 25's bags £33 per ton, 10's bags £3i, s's bags £35 per ton; 3Jib cartons 16/ per dozen. Rolled oats: Thistle, S's bags -2-il per dozen, 20's bags 104/ per dozen; cases, 2's cartons 12/ c per dozen; Standard, slb bags sjd per lb, 2's cartons 12/6 per dozen. Oatina: <Ts 22/ per dozen, 20's 104/ per dozen. Gerstena: 22/ per dozen, i Germlna and semolina: 441b bags 15/ • dozen, l's cartons 7/ per dozen. Whole- | meal: s's 15/ per dozen, 3i's cartons 15/ • per dozen. Creamoata: 2's 15/ per dozen, 3i's 23/ per dozen. 20's bags 120/ per dozen. Milk oatles: 20/ per dozen. Cream of Groats: i's packets 9/<i per dozen. ! Flour. —Local and Southern. 2001b sacks, £19 15/ per ton; 100'S, £00 10/; 50's, £21; 2o'S, £21 15/; local, only 12i'3, £22 12/6; 6i's, £23 2/6, less 2j per cent discount. Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £10 10/ per ton. Bran, £9 10/ per ton. ! Linseed.—Whole, 2i/ per cwt; ground 25/ per 1001b. Bluestone.—32/6 per cwt. • Malt.—Crushed and whole, 11/9 per. bushel. j Twines. —Seaming, 3/6 per ]b; binder,: Bd. 1