MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1930, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

QUIET TRADING PERIOD. DESICCATED COCONUT FIRMING. SICILY ALMONDS MOVING UPWARD. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, April 8. Contrary to merchants' expectations grocery distributing trade has proved somewhat quieter than ie usual for this time of the month. With the number of storekeepers taking etock at the end ot Mardi it was anticipated that business would opaa up very .briskly last week on account of the various replenishments bein<r made, but from reports to hand it appears that trade generally was even quieter than usual. Quiet trading was experienced yesterday and similar conditions are expected throughout the weeli. General. City retailers, in- a great number of eases, took stock at the end of the month and are now ordering replacements, but in most cases owing to the general unsatisfactory state of trading conditions throughout the retail trad, lately are ordering very conservatively. Wholesalers, are already receiving their usual wmtei supplies of overseas lines, and in comparison to last year costs generally are showing slight increases, mainly due to the. recens advances in exchange The usual Eastern direct steamer the Nevada, has already left Calcutta and Jβ due to leav<> Penang on the 10th, and Singapore on the lit i, arriving here about the 20th of the month As molt Eastern purchases are financed through London, costs on landing from the vessel will be' proportionately higher. Local deliveries of sugar are now so we in hand that some storekeepers have had to temporarily cancel their standing orders, ail business now eent into the company being 1 sure of .prompt execution. A line of malt extract has this week been reduced 2/ per dozen on the small, 3/ pei do en on the medium, and 1/6 per dozen on the large. Owing to the scarcity ot tomatoes earlier in the season quart bottles, packed by one ot the ™11-known local manufacturers, have been advanced 6d per dozen. An increase of approximately 3d per thousand has advised on all sizee ot satchel and fruit -bagb. Further shipments of a popular brand o. herrings in tomato sauce have just landed on a bare market. Although supplies are ample for immediate requirements merchants' remaining stocks are limited til further shipments land. Good stocksi ot prunes, in both Oregon and Californian packings, are now available quality, in most cases, being of unusually high standard Lower overseas markets, on these lines has enabled merchants to make their prices more attractive, so that good distributing business is anticipated during the season. Although fresh tomatoes are etill in plentiful supply, merchants are experiencing quite a demand for canned tomatoes for this time of the year. Pnccb are on a par with previous seasons, although later landings are expected to show a slight increase. Canned peas, in the various packings, always prove a popular seller, this season beiuar no exception Stocks of both local and Canadian pack are therefore moving out well, although latest landings of imported show a slight increase to previous quotations. Now that Bournville cocoa is being so d on a flat rate the smaller retailers are placed in a position of being able to compete successfully with the larger buyers who .previously bought on a quantity baeie. The annual bonus offer on Karswood poultry spice commenced yestsrdav, and will continue until the 27th of the month Retailers purchasing within this period receive an extra packet with every dozen ordered. Merchants' stocks of Mildura old season's fruit, particularly sultanas, are now getting into short compass owing to their holding off, pending the arrival of new season's supplies, which are due here about the 20th of the month. Owing to the late increase in primage duty and also the advances in exchange, alterations have been advised in most O'Cedar lines Oil and dry mops, Nos. 10 and 11, have been increased 3/ per dozen, wholesale, Mo. U i> Retail quotations on these sizes have been increased 3d each. Polish has been increased 6d per dozen on the 4 and Uμ size 1/6 on the quart, 5/ on the halt gallon, and 7/6 on the gallon. Retail prices on the polish on the small sizs remain unchanged; half gallon and gallon have been increased Cd and 9d each respectively. Drapery. With the cloee proximity of the Easter holidays, drapery houses are already attracting an increased volume of business in all departments. During Easter week there is always a large influx of visitors from the country, who come mainly tor the races, but who also combine business with pleasure and make their seasons purchases of all their drapery requirements Eaeter week is therefore generally considered to be one of the busiest weeks of the season, and this year is expected to prove no exception. .Model garments are being displayed very extensively just now and with a cold snap, business in this department particularly is expected to set in earnest during the next few weeks. Jumper suits are being shown in some verv attractive designs, and as prices are moderate and the styles new and attractive, big business is being done. Tweed frocks are another fashionable demand, these also being shown in alUactive light weight tweeds. Millinery vmeeting with a fair response just now, although the buying public, up to the present, have confined their interest to the more moderate price stuff, but With the approach of the races it is expeetad that the better grade goods will commence to move more rapidly. Hosiery and gloves are being shown in great variety, the ■popular Nappa glove meeting with a ready sale, owing to its serviceable quality, and to being eold at a much 'ower price. In the men's departments sonvj very attractive, designs in pull-overs and cardigans are being displayed, and with the advent of colder weather a 3')od demand :s expected for these goods. Ceylon Tea. \t the last weekly sale held at Colombo on the 2nd instant, 3,000,0001b of tea was placed under offer, about 500,0001b more than is usually sent to auction. Quality showed a- further falling off, although there were some good selections. As a result of the poorer quality the market was- very irregular, reductions being recorded in all grades. Commons and Pric% broken Orange Pekoee declined %d ■per lb, plain 8.0.P.'s Id, first classic broken Pekoes VAd, fine broken Orange Pekoes Id per ib. Exchange remains unaltered from the previous week. Pepper. Cables received by the various brokers from Singapore during the early part ot last week advise firmer quotations. I Ins advance, however, was only of a very temporary nature, as towards the end ot the week shippers cabled offers at about Id per lb under the previous rates ruling. As the direct steamer leaves Singapore about the end of the week it is considered that these special offers were made with a 'view to attracting final business for this boat.. . , . Nutmegs and Mace. After a fairly long period of low quotations , cables reoeived by agents indicate a firmer market in both lines, shippers advising that present indications are for an advancing tendency. Sago and Tapioca. Sago and. tapioca, particularly Penang, is remaining steady, although' latest cables received indicate a firming tendency. Some, last minute business was sent <up by cable last week for shipment- by direct eteatter.

Pineapples. Singapore pineapples are showing a firmer tone, and it is indicated that this is caused by the present, high rate of exchange,' It is quite possible that the increased demand is a.lso affecting the market, and 'this should be made clear within the next few weeks. In most cases buyers throughout the Dominion have covered at quite attractive figures, and good sales should result on the basis of these costs. Sicily Almonds. Last week the market on Sicily almonds went down 7/ per cwt, bat in later cables received the market showed a very much firmer tone, the new prices advised repreeenting an increase of approximately 14/ per cwt over the lowest price quoted- for new season's.. Desiccated Coconut. Bulk and packet desiccated coconut has remained on an unusually steady market since the middle of February last. Cables received last week, however, indicate that the favourable conditions previously ruling are not likely to continue, and as a result the market has. already tisen 1/ per cwt. This quotation is based on a fixed conversion rate, any fluctuation being for buyer's account. Linseed Oil. Following the advances made in the market for English linseed oil last week the market has shown a further firming tendency. Latest quotations, now advised, show increases on previous rates of ,l%d per gallon oil both raw and boiled, for shipment during April and May. Jordan Almonds. The position on Jordan almonds is that reports now to hand indicate that the new season's crop is damaged. At the present moment new season's quotations are on the same basis as those prevailing for present season's, but if on further examination the damage proves greater than anticipated immediate increases in the market may be expected. Hardware. The present economic position is having a serious effect on British manufacturers of heavy lines. Cables received from London during the laet week indicate that the works are badly in need of orders, and this is borne out by the fact that business sent up by way of counter ofl'ens has been acceptable to them. This, applies particularly to iron, netting and wire goods. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, i/iVs per lb, and 1/4 for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, 1/2V6 per lb, and 1/2 for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, lid per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild, B%d to 9d per lb net; loaf, llVz per Id net. Chesdale, 61b bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 dozen. Bacon. —Hams, 1/ to 1/1 per lb; rolled hams, 1/4 per lb; cooked whole ham, 1/5 per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/10; bacon sides, lid to 1/1 per lb; rolled sides, 1/1% to 1/3 per lb; middles, 1/2 to 1/4 per lb; shoulders, 9d to 10d per lb; rolled shoulders, lid to 1/ per lb. Lard, bulk, Sd to 9d per Ib; pats, 9d to 10d per lb. Flour.—Local, 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 5/ per ton; 25's, £20 per ton; £20 17/0 per ton; 6%'s, £21 17/6 per ton. Southern: 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 per ton; 2u's, £19 10/ per ton; 12V 2 's, £20 5/ per ton; 6%'s, £20 17/6 per ton. All less 2'/s per cent discount. Linseed.—Whole, 30/ per cwt; ground, 31/ per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole white 9/9 per bushel; whole black, 13/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Peameal.—l2/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—ls/ per 1001b. [ Linseed Meal—l 7/ per 1001b. I Bluestone.—3s/ per cwt.