MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1931, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

HEAVY WHOLESALE TURNOVER.

RAW PRESERVED GINGER MARKET ADVANCING. LOW INDENT MARKET ON LENTILS. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1931. Ever since the beginning of January wholesale grocery merchants have experienced an extraordinary heavy period of trading, the business transacted last week being no exception. Warehouses opened again yesterday to excellent business, good orders being received both from travellers and by mail. .The fact that merchants are booking as February 1 by rail to-morrow, and within the town vicinity on the following day, 'has meant that storekeepers' orders are now more varied and substantially heavier. As in the majority of cases merchants are not tully staffed owing to the usual yearly holiday vacations, it will mean that packing and dispatch staffs will have a very busy time indeed throughout the whole of this week The Island steamer arrived on Sunday last and brought the usual budget of mail requirements, which will require to be shipped this week, as the Tofua leaves again on Saturday next.

General News. One of the main topics of interest throughout the trade generally during the past week has been the advance on London and Australian Exchange. It should therefore be of interest to '.the storekeeper to know that the latest advance of 2V6 per cent in London exchange on New Zealand that all imports from Britain, Canada and America will be carrying an exchange surcharge of 7% per cent as compared with the normal rate of 1 per cent. Although this increase is not likely to be felt immediately, it ie quite evident that thie increase, which of necessity must be added ito merchants costs on new goods landing, will eventually materially affect merchants selling prices, and storekeepers have everything to gain by replenishing their overseas stocks as quietly as possible. A recent landing of one of the beet known lines of English cocoa has, due to the duty increases, been advanced 2d per lb in wholesale cost. Although there has been no actual alteration in retail selling rates on kerosene, merchants received notification in the early part of last week that the retailers' rebate had been increased to 1/3 per case, and that booking, instead of being on a prompt cash basis as formerly, payment would now be required to be made by the 20th of the month- following dispaJtch. One well-known line of toilet soap has been reduced in wholesale cost one penny per dozen during the past week. A new line of flake cut tobacco is being placed on the market by one of the wellknown distributors, and it is expected will have a certain appeal as the price is 3/ per lb lower thaai other standard lines. New season's raisins, particularly Sunmaid seeded, have been very short during the month, and supplies therefore that came by the s.s. Wairuna, now at the wharf, will be particularly welcome. Due to the hot weather Southern Cordial Extracts have been in rather short supply, so that the arrival of further supplies by the Waipiata hae been just in time. Ceritain popular brands and varieties of English biscuits have been very short ever since about the middle of December, so that a shipment which came to hand a few days ago proved in heavy demand, and it seems apparent that the main varieties will be quickly cleaned up. Preserving jars commenced selling about the middle of December, but are now_ in very much heavier demand, as all varieties of fruits are coming in more freely. Towards the end of last season there was quite a dearth of certain types of jars, owing to local manufacturers not being able to make further supplies, which necessitated wholesalers importing from Sydney at slightly increased costs. It is understood that the quantity manufactured this season has been made correspondingly greater, so there does not seem to be any likelihood of any shortage. Cordials are eelling very well just at present. The demand was rather poor in December, but sales have increased quite 50 per cent this month, which has more than compensated for the loss of trade during the previous month. There seems to be quite a movement on sagos and tapiocas this week, prices named at the beginning of the week only holding for a few days and then being advanced approximately 12 per cent. In another case they were withdrawn altogether. Cigarette papers are selling unusually well just now, with stocks just about sufficient for present requirements. A reduction on Gillette blades in the new style has been noted of Id per packet wholesale. A popular line of liver ealts in addition to the bottle packing, is now being offered in four-ounce sealed tins at a big reduction on the other type of j packing. South African peel, which was short last month owing to the steamer not coining direct as was first advised, is now to hand. The special bonus offer on one packet of washing eoaip powder on a popular line of Carton laundry soap has now been withdrawn. In view of the reductions already advised in wholesale cost of Kraft paiper, merchants have reduced their selling price to storekeepers by 1/ per cwt.'. Mainly due to the recent fall in the price of sugar, one of the local manufacturers has made reductions (with the exception of one variety in each case) of Id per lb on hand-made boiled goods, and Msd iper lb on ordinary boiled goods.

Pineapples. Pineapples are remaining steady at last ruling rates. The Narbada brought fair quantities of all grades to a bare market, so that some packings were cleaned .up almost immediately. The fine weather during the Christmas and New Year holidays acted as a considerable help to sales, J and stocks are now offering fairly freely. In a few cases the depletion of some grades was so rapid that it has been_found necessary to bring further supplies of certain lines forward, via Australia, and these should arrive here early in February. The recent shipment of Singapore crushed pines opened up very well, and has met with a ready sale. This pack should prove very popular with the trade, as the Singapore canners , are giving particular attention to grading to ensure that future shipments will be equal to, if not better, than original samples. As the amount of waste fruit over from the packing of the different grades is quite inadequate for this packing, a fairly large proportion of whole fruit is being used which should be a definite assurance of the quality of the pack.

Ginger. A substantial advance has been advised by cable (to-day on raw ginger from China, the market having advanced £2 per ton, and with the extra exchange will account for a further increase, although local manufacturers have not increased prices owing to some cover havinp already been made with their raw supplies. As the market is very firm at the last increase, and also the exchange is against the importer, forward business on this line should prove attractive to storekeepers. The main ginger trade of the year is usually done in New Zealand during the months of February, March and April, and retailers would therefore be well advised to take immediate advantage of merchants' favourable offers now being made.

Lentils. Recent cables received by agents advise that quotations for next direct shipment on Indian split lentils have been greatlyreduced, and improved business should result in view of the lower quotations. Prices named for July-August steamer last year were listed at fairly high levels, later showing a reduction of 1/9 per cwt, with business being confirmed for November-December steamer at a further fall of 3d on a c.i.f. basis. The prices now named show a still further fall on the last named quotations of 3/ per cwt for MarchApril boat, which includes exchange.

Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held on the 14th instant, three million lb was placed under offer. Quality showed a further improvement on the previous week, most grades being of very good selection with coloury and bright useful liqueurs. The result of the sale showed that commons were remaining firm, Price broken Orange Pekoes were increased V±d per lb, plain 8.0.P.'s Vzd per lb, and first classic Pekoes and fine broken Orange Pekoes 2d per lb. Exchange remained unaltered. Dried Fruits. Very favourable quotations are now being made on new season's Australian dried fruits, and it is expected that excellent business will result. As a rule South African prices compare more favourably than Australian, but this year Australian prices have the advantage. Mullet. Late advices in connection with supplies of new season's mullet indicate that the first of the season's canning should be available to Auckland merchants in about two weeks' time. Owing to the poor season experienced last year, wholesalers have been out of stock for some months, so that the present advice of supplies shortly due should be particularly welcome. Fishing during the early part of the month was very poor, but is expected to improve as the season progresses. v Bulk Raisins.

The American market has advanced slightly on seedless carton, and a slight reduction has been noted on seeded. A fair amount of interest is being taken in the market, and some buying has already been transacted. A further cable has just been received from America stating that Thompson's seedless raisins are expected to advance during the next day or two. Sicily Almonds. Sicily almonds have been selling well on the present low levels already advised. Late cables indicate that the market seems to be steady at present figures. Canned Fruit. New season's prices for canned fuuit have not yet been named, although prices are now expected to be made available in a day or two. in view of the present position of Californian offerings, merchants are very anxious to commence operations on the Australian line, as prices have been expected for some days. Quotations have not yet been named on new season's pears packed within the Dominion, but it is anticipated that this market, which is already very favourable, will not come any lower. Resin. The latest prices listed on , American resin show an easier market, "Q" now being quoted at a reduction of 3/6, and "N" 4/ per ton. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, l/lVi per lb and 1/1 per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked, 1/OV6 per lb and 1/ per lb for prompt cash; farmers' separator, 10d per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild, 7'/£d per lb net; loaf, B%d per lb net; Chesdale, Clb bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/G per dozen.

Bacon.—Hams, 1/ per lb; rolled hams, 1/3 per lb; cooked whole ham, 1/7 per lb; cooked pressed ham, 1/9 per lb; baxxm sides, 10d per lb; rolled sides, 1/ per lb; middles, 1/ per lb; ehouklers, 7d per lb; rolled, shoulders, 9d per lb; lard, bulk, 7 ] /3d to 9d per lb; pats, 8d to 9d per lb. Flour.—Local, 2001b eacks, £18 10/ per ton; lOO's, £19 5/ per ton; 50's, £19 15/ per ton; 25's, £20 10/ per ton; W/s's, £21 7/6 per ton; 6V4's, £21 17/6 per ton.

Linseed.—Whole, 22/6 per cwt; ground, 22/6 per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed, 10/ per bushel; whole white, 9/9 per bushel; whole black, 11/9 per ibuehcl. Twines.—Seaming, 3/6 per Ito; binder, 8d per lb.

Peameal—l2/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts—ls/ per 1001b Bluestone— 37/6 per cwt. • Linseed Meal.—2l/ per 1001b.