MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 79, 3 April 1928, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

GOOD WHOLESALE TRADING. ATTBTRAXJAIY CURRANTS WITHDRAWN. SHELLAC MARKET SHORT. QUOTATIONS FIRMER. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, April 3.

Wholesale grocery houses report that trada is fairly busy and the volume of business which has been good during the last two weeks in being well maintained. There is an added demand for many winter lines, which is assisting very materially in maintaining the present volume of trade. Prospects for the next few weeks arc exceedingly good. Both the wholesale and retail trade anticipate an increasing volume of business as the result of the shorter period trading caused by the coming Easter holidays. General.

Although lower prices are anticipated h> the forward market for penper, about July-August steamer, tTie continued high prices ruling has forced one packer to reconsider his quotations with the result that 2oz tins have been advanced 6d per dozen and bulk 3d per lb. 'Ihe direct steamer scheduled to leave Singapore this month will bring supplies of both white and black peppers, which will relieve the market as far as stocks are concerned, but there is not likely to be any alteration in existing rates as all business by this vessel has been done on a fairly high market. As regards the market on currants, although buyers were advised last week that the allotted quota of Mildura for the New Zealand market were already half •old, very little additional interest was taken, pruchasers evidently being of the opinion that their forward commitments were quite sufficient for the time being. The news cabled during the last week-end that the Control Board had withdrawn quotations altogether came as a complete surprise to the trade and there is no doubt that if the present position is maintained supplies towards , the end of the 9eason will be very scarce. Spot stocks of Mildura •re unusually short, and any supplies of Greek now available are fast being cleaned lip. A new Australian line of puffed wheat and rice came to hand last week, and a.i the cartons contain double the weight of other packings of this nature selling on the local market, and selling prices are more than competitive, a good demand is anticipated. Further shipments of canned products came to hand by the Aorangi last week, the most welcome being supplies of loganberries, cherries, etc. In French sardines Louis Trefevenne have been in short supply for many months, and small shipments just landing are proving very welcome, selling rates remain at the same price as formerly. Up to a week ago carton dates were in rather short supply, but small shipments of present season's, just landed, are proving particularly welcome to the trade in general. A new line of yeast tablets has been pl&ced on the market this week, and •s the selling rates are somewhat lower than usual, a wide distribution is expected. Up to a month or so ago storekeepers were having difficulty in securing adequate stocks so that the advice that •mple supplies are available should be welcome news to the retail trade. No. 2 size canned peas (Californian) have been in rather short supply owing to local stocks being sold up prior to further coming to hand. Document* to hand by the mail last week advised further consignments being due in Easter week. A new line on the local market this week is an English preparation of malt and cod; liver oil offered for sale in powder form. As the preparation is entirely free from any unpleasant odour or taste the •ale of this article should have a distinct appeal. One of the local popular lines of margarine which was off the market for a short time, owing to part of the manufacturing machinery being destroyed by fire, Is now in process of manufacture •gain, and the trade are now assured of being able 'to Secure supplies again. From' the beginning of this month one of the popular lines of bronchitis cure will be offered to the public in a smaller sized packing, which should find favopr at once. The new retail selling rates, will be 1/0, 2/0 and 4/0 per bottle. The Dried Fruit Control Board cabled their agents yesterday advising that they were able to again offer plain sultanas. The present rates quoted are the same as those listed •t the beginning of the season last year, but as quotations were shortly after opening rates being named advanced 5/ per cwt, quick action is recommended, particularly as the board advised that the quantity' .available is very limited. These »ultanas are of excellent quality, and are competitive to Californian.

Cinnamon. The latest cables received from Colombo iadvise a firmer market on cinnamon generally, present quotations showing an advance of £2 per ton on cinnamon chips for prompt shipment. Kapok. - Java shippers of kapok advise more firmness in this market, the latest cables advising an increase in the price of Samarang prime quality kapok of ttd per lb for forward shipment. Shellae. Cables sent from Calcutta last week by bne of the principal shippers of shellac, advised a sudden rise in the market for A.B.T.N. quality, but even at the higher price (approximately 2%d per lb) shipment could not be offered by the MarchApril direct steamer owing to manufacturers being fully sold up for that opportunity. Ginger. Whole raw ginger continues on a very high market, and cables from Kobe now quote Japanese on almost the same high level as Cochin (India). Australian Currants. Following on the information that the Mw season's Mildura crop of currants was far below last year's production, the Dried Fruit Control Board have now icabied their agents to withdraw all grades ©f currants from'further sale. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held in Colombo on the 27th instant, 2,500,0001b was placed under offer, quality of the Newara Eliyas were of choice grade, while others were slightly inferior %o previous offers. The result of the sale showed a poor demand, except for the good liquoring kinds. Commons were sold at a reduction of Id per lb on 'the previous week's quotations. Price broken Orapge Pekoes remained firm. Plain , declined %d per lb. First ek«iic broken Pekoes and finest 8.0.P.'s KilnT 4 " 1 firm J afc Previous rates. ISxchange was quoted at 1/6V4. White Lead. ln°Stl L* hi PP« r « of white lead in oil to this port advises by cable an SoXSfat ° £ if 2 per tonlefton." ""*«> " c Jordan Almonds. Patera of Jordan almonds who previously-offered to book business now w »thdrawn their ' ~ ave c , ome back at increased prises. Some business has been done for present season's at the um* tatjons « those ruling f " iSfTSLSS. bwe come

Pimento. London shippers of pimento advise that this market has been fluctuating in price for lome and they now cable that indent quotations have been advanced 10/ per cwt. Bruil Nuts. Cables to hand during the past week advise an immediate increase in quotation* for Brazil nuts of %d per lb for present shipment, and -with shippers' asking a premium for forward delivery. The l itest information in regard to the quantity available for export disc loses that U:: crop reports received so far indicate liiat the stocks available this season will be shorter than originally anticipated, with the result that shippers' are expecting prices to go much, higher. The result ot this shortage has also affected kernels, which have been advanced 2%d per lb on c.i.f.e. rates. Seedless Raisins. The latest information cabled in regard to the raisin market discloses a firm position. Thompson's seedless unbleached have been advanced 1/ per cwt, and soda bleached a like amount also. America reports that the market is very active, and further rises are considered likely. Sicily Almonds. Business offered on new season's Sicily almonds is about on a par with the quotations ruling tor present season's. London shippers advise that they are not inclined to operate just at present, as they consider the risk of the market too great.

Hardware. and general hardware and builders' supplies have been rather slow during the past week, but now that the majority of retailers have finished their annual stock-taking wholesalers are anticipating business conditions will improve. Further arrivals during the past few days comprise electric light globes, American Hash-ligh't batteries and torches, electric handlamps and American glassware, etc.

Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory butter, booked 1/6% per lb and 1/6 per lb tor prompt cash. Second grade tactory, 1/4% per lb and 1/4 per lb for prompt caeh. Farmers' separator, 1/3 per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild, 9Vfcd to lOVid per lb. Loaf, llVid net per lb. Chesdale, 61b bars, 1/2 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen; crest, 4/6 per dozen.

Bacon.—Hams, 1/ to 1/2 per lb; rolled bams, 1/2 to 1/4 per lb; boned 1/2 to 1/4 per lb. Bacon: Sides, BV4d to 9V4d per lb; rolled sides, 10% d to 1/ per lb; middles, HV4d to 1/2 per lb; shoulders, 7d to 9d per lb; rolled shoulders, 9d to lid per lb. Lard: Bulk, 9d to lOd per lb: pats, lOd to lid per lb. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks. £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; Bvm, £19 5/ per tou; 25's, £20 per ton; 12tt's, £20 17/0 per ton; 6%'s, £21 7/0 per ton. Southern: 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; AO's, £19 per ton; 25's, £19 10/ per ton; 12%'sj £20 5/ per ton; 6Vs, £20 17/0 per ton, all less 2V4 per cent discount.

Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £10 per ton. Bran, £8 10/ per ton. Linseed. —Whole, 22/6 per cwt; ground, 23/6 per 1001b. (Arriving in about one week.) M a It.—Crushed, 12/ per bushel; whole white, 12/ per bushel; whole black, 15/0 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Peameal.—l3/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—l 4/ per 1001b. (Arriving in a few days 'time.) Linseed Meal.—lo/ per 1001b. (Arriving in a few days' time.) Bluestone.—33/ per cwt.