MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 142, 18 June 1929, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

GROCERY TRADE QUIET. SLIGHT WEAKNESS IN BUTTER BEANS. higher market ox raw ginger "Auckland Star" Office, I Tuesday, June 18. "Business was quite goad during the early part of last 'week, taut Quietened oft towards the week-end, and trade, grocery particularly; opened up very quiet yesterday, all business done so far being on a very, small scale. Trade should improve considerably during the next day or two as booking for next month commences on Friday next for rail and shipping, and for town and suburbs the following Tuesday. General. Last week the arrival and departure of the Island steamer kept those housed which regularly eater for that trade up to the usual pressure associated with tins event. Strong''efforts have recently been made by interested parties 'to influence the Government to discourage the importation of South African jams, although further protection than is afforded by the present duty of 2d per lb and the heavj transport eo-sts from South Africa seem to be entirely unwarranted. It is regretable that in recent representations to the responsible Minister of 'the Crown, it was incorrectly asserted that South African jams were admitted duty free, and also wrongly inferred that such products were manufactured by cheap coloured labour. As a matter of fact white girls are employed in the factories, _ and the products manufactured under strictly hygienic conditions. Another strong point in the argument against any interfering with the present position is that the flavours such as pineapple, grape, green fig, etc., are not manufactured in New Zealand, and therefore should not in any way interfere with local and southern manufactures. A consignment of clothes pegs arrived to this nVarket in the early part of the week and proved ■ particularly welcome, as supplies prior, to this arrival had been in rather short compass. A new brand of tomato soup is now being made by one of the well-known, local manufacturers in one and two pound tins, prices selling on a similar basis with other New Zealand packings, and a good sale is expected for this line. Prunes are rather scar'-o vat present, the shortage being noticed in 30,'40'5, 40, 50's, 60/70's. Other sizes are in ample supply. Cheese supplies have not been quite so plentiful lately, consignments coming in from the various factories being rather smaller than usual, which has had the effect of firming prices generally. A small shipment of Fijian pines, under the name of "Tit Bits," has recently been offered on this market in 21b and 2% lb cans. Prices are slightly higher than the previous shipment of ordinary Fijian broken sliced, but a good distribution is expected as there is usuallv .a good demand for fruit of this nature. With the arrival of -the Corinthic. now in port, quite a number of English popular lines, previously in short snpplv. are now available. A. number of these items are cocoa, olive oil, curry, colree, tinned herrings, fish and meat paste, custard powder, and Lima beans.. In regard to the latter item this line has been particularly scarce and supplies have been badly wanted for a considerable period. A new line of preserved meats," packed in l%lb snuara tins, is announced by One of the well-known local packers, and as this pack has been specially .prepared for local conditions it should , ■ meet with quite a popular demand. ' " Madagascar Butter Beans. Madagascar butter beans have been quoted at exceptionally high rates for , a considerable period, and the receipt of a cable last week advising a slight reduction of 10' per ton will be particularly welcome to the trade. Raw Ginger. ■The market on raw ginger is showing further signs- of higher rates, recent cables quoting for early shipment at an increase of 7/ per cwt. This is the second advance within a very short period, and if this market remains at its present level preserved ginger will undoubtedly show an increase in price. Caiifornian Figs. New season's Caiifornian figs are now being quoted, the rates so far available showing a slight advance on last year's, although quite-a number of-agents consider that it is a little early to indicate at what actual level prices will remain. " ' Csylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale held last Wednesday, the 12th hist., the quantity offered amounted to a total of 3,750,0001b, which was considerably in excess of previous "offers over a considerable period. The 'qualitj' of medium and up-country grades showed- an improvement, liquoring being very bright and attractive. The result of- the'sale showed a reduction of Vzd per ,1b on commons, ted on price broken Orange Pekoes, p /id on plain 8.0.P.'5, art advance of %d on finest 8.0.P.'s with first classics broken Pekoes remaining unchanged. Exchange was quoted at 1/0. Sago, and Tapioca. • Although prices were expected to move upwards in conformity with advice previously received from the Straits Settlements. cables received last week quoted both Singapore . and Penang grades at quotations similar to those ruling the previous week. Pineapples. Pineapples also are' listed without any movement, although prices are expected to firm very shortly. Nutmegs and Mace. Cables received last week showed a firm market on nutmegs, 110's and also sound •shrivelled, both grades being -increased Vid per lb on the previous weeko's quotations. Amboyna mace is also showing an upward tendency, this line increasing Val per lb. Shellac. Recent cables received from Calcutta advise that shellac, A.B.T.N. quality, is now being quoted for shipment by the next direct steamer leaving about the end of next month. Prices have an -indication of firming and are slightly higher than those at which buyers operated for the last direct steamer. Brazil Nuts. , .Recent cables received show slightly lower prices on Brazil nuts, best Paras being reduced T/ per cwt. Dates. Quotations on dates are quite favourable when- compared with season's quotations. Shipment is offered for October-November steamer. , Brass and Copper. Cables received from London this week indicate that tl ± market is still firm. Prices have declined from the high level ruling some weeks ago. but are still a long way from normal, It is not expected that prices will decline, to any great extent and, that'.this market" will remain at a steady level for some time. Corrugated Iron. ;F° 1 ' So Wl® i 'f'bne past it has been anticipated that English manufacturers would have to ■ raise their selling prices on account of increased cost of raw materials.

i Various meetings o£ manufacturers have ' been Jield during recent months,_ but na action 'had been taken until this week: Cables to band advise an advance of 10/ per ton on G. C. and P.G. iron. French Drained Cherries. French drained cherries show a- reduction of approximately 2d per lb, as against present season's quotations, and the market is steady at the lower rates quoted. English new season's crystal,iwed cherries are quoted 2d to 3d per lb cheaper than present and good forward business is being done at these lower levels. Californian Muscatels. have been named for new seasons Californian muscatels, and they are higher u..a.i last year on account of the severe damage to the raisin crop, but the price is still 011 a level which will enable merchants to do considerable business with retailers at an advantageous price as compared with Spanish. Raisins. Recent cables advise a slightly weaker market on Californian raisins. AIL varieties of unbleached, oil-bleached and sodableached have been reduced approximately 1/ per cwt. Merchants' stocks are quite plentiful, and as their purchases were coni firmed before the recent heavy advances, 1 caused by bad weather, etc., throughout the fruit-growing districts of California, their prices should attract considerable business, as even at the present reductions the forward market is still very high. Rangoon Rice. Late cables received on Rangoon rice for shipment by direct steamer JulyAugust next show a reduction of 7/6 per ton on previous quotations. While this quotation is an attractive one, only moderate business is being done on account of merchants' reluctance to bring forward supplies of this line to arrive here about September, owing to the prevalence of weevil during the summer months. Haricot Beans. Substantial haricot bean business has already been placed for shipment by the July-August direct steamer, and although this business shows an advance of approximately £3 or £4 per ton on the previous shipment, buyers have been forced to operate owing to the present bareness of ttie local market. A small portion of merchants' purchases is b-eing brought forward via Australia at an increase of £1 15/ per ton. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/6% per lb, and 1/6 per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, 1/4%: per lb, and 1/4 per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, 1/1 per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild, 9%d to 10% d per lb net; loaf, lHfcd per lb net. Chesdale, 61b bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Bacon.—Hams, 1/ per lb; rolled hams, .1/2 per lb; boned hams, 1/3 per lb. Bacon: sides, lid lb; rolled sides, 1/1 per lb; middles, 1/2 per lb; shoulders, BV£d per lb; rolled shoulders, per lb. Lard, bulk, 9d per lb; pats, lOd per lb. Flour.—Local, 2001b tacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 5/ per ton; 25's, £20 per ton; \2V2s, £20 17/6 per ton; eft's, £21 17/6 per ton. Southern flour, 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 per ton; 25's, £19 10/ per ton; 12%'s, £20 5/ per ton; 6ft's, £20 17/6 per ton. All legs 2Y2 per cent discount. Linseed—Whole. 22/ per cwt; ground, 23/ per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed, 12/ per bushel; whole, white, 12/ per bushel; whole black, 14/9 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Pea meal.—l 2/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—ls/ per 1001b. Linseed Meal. —17/ per 1001b. Bluestone. —35/ per cwt.