THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1926, Page 4

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

•WHOLESALERS' STEADY TURNOVER. BULK DATES EASIER. FIRMER MARKET ON PRUNES. •' Auckland Star " Office. Wednesday, May 12, 1926Wholesalers report slightly more than usual activity this week, which is probably occasioned by the ract that retailers are keeping their stocks well in hand, and not letting any lines (particularly English! get -o low before ordering replacements fro, .heir merchants. Most or them will remember how difficult it wasto obtain supplies of certain goods when supplies were interrupted berore, ana alihouyh there i~ no cause for alarm at this juncture, the present hold-up or shipping. etc., is likely to hit importers very severely ir it lasts for any length or time, Interhouse buying and selling has shown much more volume during- the last lew days, those who are not well stocked augmenting thetr supplies from other holders, with the result that quotations ror spot stocks are showing more than usual tlrmness. The Australian dried fruit Situation has not shown any Improvement during the past week, buyers being still without confirmation or their orders placed. The position generally 1s considered to be very unsatlsractory to botn wholesale and retail buyers alike, as, immediately prices were named a second time, wholesalers commenced to sell ag-aln, and, now that quotations are withdrawn and they are unable to get confirmation of their business, it is placing their retail friends In a rather unenviable position. Zlg- Zap cigarette papers are due shortly, and will find a ready market, as the town is almost bare of supplies. Some of the cheaper brands which were previously so hard to sell, and in a great many instances sold below cost in order to clear, have been much In demand, with the result that holders have been able to take a protlt on their remaining stocks. Rice is showing more evidence of a ilrmer market, and one or the mills has already advanced ground £ 1 a ton. Sago and tapioca arrived by direct steamer last week, and sold at reductions on store rates, although sales were not so heavy as was anticipated, so that merchants are taking most of their shipments into store. There is a seasonable inqulrv ror Llmas. haricot beans, and lentils, and. as further shipments have just come to hand, stocks are now ample for all requirements. Southern meats have arrived this week, but consignments are very small, and will go into consumption almost Immediately. Sheep tongues show a slight increase in immediate sales, but there seems to be more inquiry ror later delivery, as stocks are likely to be in short compass during the summer months and towards the latter part of the season. A keen rorward demand is evident on supplies or new season's nuts and almonds ror delivery during the latter part or the year for Christmas trade. Favourable quotations have been listed on Callfornian oil and soda bleached raisins, and there have been very heavy purchases made for delivery later in the year. Norwegian sild are selling better, and there have been some good sales made against forward delivery. Canadian sardines are in rair demand, with merchants' stocks now getting low. Final shipments were made from Montreal during May, and should arrive next month. Supplies can be bought for later delivery, but, owing to the closing or the above port by ice during the winter months, transhipment has to be made Tom Halifax, which loads the shipments with extra charges wnlch ouy«.rs are reluctant to pay. Packers now advise that the cheapest grade Is now being packed with keys and wrapped at a slight increase in cost, which should prove veryacceptable to both wholesale and retail buyers, as the coating put on-the tins of this grade to prevent them from collecting moisture and going rusty makes the tins very sticky and unpleasant to handle. Lima Beans. The forward position on Madagascar Lima beans still continues to feature a weak market, the latest revision to Indent rates being a further decline of £4 10/ per ton. Shipments or new season's landed a short time ago, and, as buyers' costs showed an Improvement over 'previous purchases, there has been a slight adjustment in selling prices. The Callfornian market is rather heavily stocked. On March l the holdings were 275,000 bags. Their seed requirements were estimated at 80,000 bags, which left a balance of 195,000 bags for the market outlets of the next six months, or an average of 35,000 sacks a month. The January-Feb-ruary shipments were 130,000 bags Japanese butter beans were offered at rather favourable figures about a month ago, but unrortunately, although business was cabled up promptly, buyers were unable to obtain confirmation. Jordan Almonds. Since quotations for new season's Jordan almonds were first named the market has taken on much firmer tone. The first alteration was an advance or £2 10/ per ton. at which hardly any business was confirmed, sellers almost Immediately advancing their quotations by a further £7 10/ per ton, with the market very Arm at this last advance. Shipment is from London during October, which ensures new season's arriving just in time for Christmas. Prune*. Most dried fruit lines continue to operate on a firm and fa'rly active basis, with the general trend or quotations being upward. As the season progresses these are likely to grow In activity and strength. Following the recent advance in the r-jr-ward market for prunes, where the larger sizes appreciated an average of from 1/3 to 3/6 per cwt, cables were received last week advising increases in the market value or 70-80's or 1/3 per cwt, with the market generally Jirni and higher values expected. Raialns. Packers in some quarters now advise the withdrawal of carton choice =pe u ei raisins, and also oil bleached raisins la rancy grade, although choice seeuea duoa are still available, but these are or little interest here. Sicily Almonds, The firmness previously indicated in this market has not continued, cables received last week advising a decline of £i 10/ per ton in new season's Slcllv almonds ror October shipment. Canned Fruit. Owing to the Australian Government prohibiting canners rrom selling freestone peaches in tins for export further supplies are now unobtainable. Canned green gages, which were previously offered by one or the larger canners, have now been withdrawn, owing to exhaustion or stocks. Gum Arabic. Local indentors .of gum arable advise they received a cable last week stating that the export market had shown a "tendency for lower values, and that shippers were now offering to accept business ror prompt shipment at a reduction or £3 per ton on previous quotations. Barcelona Nuts. The forward market on Barcelonas has shown evidence or firmer markets during the last rew weeks, cables advising an increase or £2 per ton in all grades ror forward shipment. Almond Nuts. New season's iviza soft shell almonds are being offered for October shipment at a reduction or £10 per ton below quotations now listed for present season's. Ceylon Tea. The usual weekly sale of tea was held AiVa^ lombo on tno 4th - «he quantity offered amounting to 2.375.0001b. 75.0001b kss man the previous week Oualitv i« menTWft °°l any "improve? Towed a Wn.Mh 1 ColoUry ana * rl S ht ' annoufh a Au t s 1 t 1 r alaT h b e uve r r al "}fave 0ff S hown' more interest in the sales prices ror Srftb> • down" taken a™Vows'-"^J 11 " have per lb: cleaned snowed alterat,on, P ana lb is in Ul 3 a 6 nd « rnitments while there is so much uncer' tainty in the labour market. Ul >cerJute Goods. corn ?acks. —This market is showing more evidence of lower tendencies, the general trend of the rorward position being for lower values. Since last report there have been two alterations, all sizes being reduced each time. For July-August steamer 9111) reduced itjd. 2'jib lid, «nd -.'lb To/. 6rt. For November-December', -.'5 ami :'i sjd. and 21b 7oz 3}d per dozen. Wool Parks. —Reductions still continue to be, listed on these also. For JulyAugust sim are down ijd, -ism id, 4sln 3id per pack. For November-December steamer r> tin 3Jd, 481n 2jd, and 421n 2}d per pack.

Cream Tarter. After a period of snort stocks toe market is ralrly well supplied again 6y snlpmeets of English brands that came to band about a fortnight ago. Oversea prices are now being- offered at a slight Increase over previous Quotations, with shipment being offered for May and June. The recent dearth or supplies was caused through shippers having so many orders in hand Tor execution that they round it was impossible to cope with the amount of business offering, and consequently there was a lapse or from Tour to live weeks before they were able to effect shipment. Acid*. Tartaric Acid.—After a period of from five to six weeks' steady markets the indent rate for English tartaric has shown a tendency to decline, and, in conflrmation or this, local indentors are now fn receipt or cables advising- that both crystal and powdered tartaric have declined a *d per lb for prompt shipment. Citric Acid. —Forward markets remain firm at unchanged levels, with stocks in local hands ample for requirements. Date*. Sa4r dates continue to feature a falling market, cables received by agents during the last week advising a further reduction of 6rt per cwt in this grade. The quality or this variety Is said to be an exceptionally good sample, and, as local stocks ar» In'jjood compass and the wholesale trade are prepared to meet any alteration in the rorward market, it does not seem likely that any rurther stocks will be brought down until the end of the year. London advises that the demand ror Salrs on that market Is very brisk. Hallowis varied in quality this season, there being a large quantity of Talr and poor qualities. Khedrawls are not plentiful, and the quality is poor. Carton dates are sellingbetter. The knowledge that shoppers are having these packed in dustproor cartons by model English factories has helped to stimulate the sale or this line considerably. Stuffed dates lllled with shelled Brazil nut? and also almonds are in great demand, recent consignments arriving In excellent condition. Desiccated Coconut. Since the last advice, about three weeks agru. that the market had declined to a very low ng-ure, cables were received by some agents advising them to reduce their indent prices a rurther 15/ per ton. This latter quotation, however, was only of a very temporary nature, as cables since received advised a firmer market, with •selling rates advancing almost immedl- ! ately 25/ per ton, at which tlg-urt indent rates still remain. Hardware. The amount or hardware merchants' turnover during this week has shown a slight increase, and ft Is quite evident rrom the Interest the retail trade are taking in English goods that they ar<> quite alive to the present stoppage in export of English manufactures. Many or these lines are in everyday demanu — cups and saucers, etc.—and once merchants' present stocks are cleared It will be some time berore they will be able to rully cater for all demands. Ex the Hororata, due next week, the following consignments are landing:—White granite ware, plates, chambers, yellow mixing bowls, etc., and Anglo enamel ware. City of Bombay: Lawn mowers, grass catchers, razor strops, and aluminium cleaner. Port >"apier: Glassware, salads, jams, butter dishes, etc., tinned Trying pans, digging rorks, slashers, spirit stoves, hoes, metallic gas tubing, and mirrors. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter. —Superfine quality creamery butter, booked l/7i per lb, prompt cash, Anchor i/6i per lb, Opotlki 1/6J per U>: first grade factory, 1/64 per lb booked and 1/6 per lb for prompt cash; second grade Tactory, booked l/5i per lb, and 1/5 per lb Tor prompt cash; farmers' separator, 1/2 per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild 9Jd to lOid per lb, special matured 1/1 to 1/2 per lb; loar, 1/1 per lb. Bacon.—Ham3, \l to 1/3 per lb: rolled hams, 1/2 to i/4" per lb; boned hams, 1/4 J per lb; bacon sides, 11 Jd to 1/1. extra large ll*d per lb; rolled sides, \I \- to 1/2 per lb; 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 lid per ID; pats, lid to 1/ per lb. Flour.—Local and Southern, 2001b sacks £19 IS/ per ton, 100's £20 10/ per ton, 50's £21 per ton, 25's £21 13/ per ton; local only, I2i's £22 12/6 per ton, 6i's £23 2/6 per ton, less 2* per cent discount. Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £10 10/ per ton; bran, £9 10/ per ton. Linseed. —Whole, 24/ per cwt; ground, 25/ per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed. 12/3 per bushel; whole white. 12/ per bushel; whole black, 15/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/6 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. GIiAIN AND PRODUCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. A report rrom Sydney this morning regarding the price of New Zealand potatoes there scarcely had the effect anticipated. Inquiries have come to hand, but at prices which do not coincide with the Sydney sales. The -highest offer Is £S. The Waikouaiti next week will take a ralrly good cargo, and as these potatoes will be of better quality than the flrst consignment It will be interesting to see how they market, ir satisfactory the rollowlng boat at the end or the month Is certain to take heavy supplies. The local market Is dull, due to the heavy quantities sold early In the season. This is preventing a demand Tor "new" potatoes. Farmers are now digging rreely. >"orth Island Is Inquiring less casually than a week a#o. Quotations are £6 10/ to £6 15/ f.o.b. Tor JuneAugust, but not much business is doing at these figures. The Kauri left at the week-end with 8700 sack?, but was diverted to Thames to pick up about two thousand sacks there. The Wingatui at the end of the week will take about 6000 to 7000 sacks. Onions are quoted at £11 to £11 10/ on trucks. Oats are meeting with a slightly better inquiry. Several sales ror milling have taken place at 4/2 and 4/2* d r.o.b. Values on trucks are 3/6 and 3/3. Cp to 7/9 r.o.b. has been paid for grade partridge peas for export. Little business has been done In cow grass at 8d to 9d a H>. Some good quality samples are offering.