WHEN WINTER COMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 80, 6 April 1926, Page 3

WHEN WINTER COMES.

THE OUTLOOK OF TRADE A TEMPORARY QUIETUDE.

Winter comes but once a year and unfailingly brings with it a quiet period as far as business is concerned. In Auckland commercial circles the viewis hold that the next season ahead will be much akin to previous winters, and that, without actual depression, there will be at least a temporary quietude. One prominent Auckland business man, who has his finger on the commercial pulse of Auckland, stated this morning to a "Star" representative that trade at the moment was in general fairly quiet, and that that could be accepted as an indication for an even more quiet period to follow during the next few months. He pointed out that the general state of prosperity in the province was faithfully reflected in the city, and as the farmers had not received top prices for their primary products during the past season, there was consequently a considerable falling off in regard to purchasing capacity. Another sign of the times was the fact that people were asking for more credit, and he considered that could be accepted as an indication of what was to come.

Another business man, connected with the grain and produce trade, pointed out that the recent southern market had not been too good, and as a result some of the produce lines were short in supply and high prices were asked. This had resulted in heavy produce imports from Australia and money going out of the country, which, from a national viewpoint, was not a good thing. He went on to say that from a business point of view Auckland was naturally buoyant, fqr the reason that it had such a wonderfully fertile province behind it, and when closer settlement and more intensive cultivation came about trade in the city would develop to an enormous degree; and winter prospects could be regarded with equanimity. A third Auckland business man, in the course of some brief remarks, touched on another aspect, and mentioned that a l|arge number of men were engaged in seasonal occupations, mostly in the country, and that on the eve of winter there was a tendency of a drift to set in towards the city. They were not very financial as a rule, and a result was increased ynemployment and an added strain on the community.

One very hopeful sign in the "city is the large amount of building activity that is going on, and as most of the programme is extensive enough to embrace the winter, and provide a largo amount of employment, it will assist to make the position much better than it might otherwise have been.

During his peregrinations in business circles, the "StarV representative was informed that in keeping with the present situation, and the prospective outlook ahead, money was fairly tight, and that that condition would "most likely continue through the winter months.