MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 194, 18 August 1931, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

COUNTRY BUSINESS BELOW NORMAL AUSTRALIAN SULTANAS WITHDRAWN. NEW SEASON'S SALMON PRICES NAMED. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, August 18, 1931. During the past week business has been considerably below normal, mainly due to the l*ck of orders coming in from the country storekeepers. According to reports the excessive cutting of prices which has been so prevalent during the past few months in all the main towns in the Waikato has had a very depressing effect on the business community generally, and is now being reflected in the small amount of business being put through the wholesale merchants. General News. Tobacco and cigarette deliveries were not commenced until yesterday, owing to the 16th of the month falling on a Sunday. The first consignment of tea on which the new duty was payable arrived by the Monowai last week. There were nearly 2000 chests of bulk in the consignment on which the Customs collected 3d per lb plus the surtax of 9-40ths, which means a cost increase of approximately 3%d per lb. In the very cheap grades this increase will have to be passed on to the retail immediately, but where the wholesale are using a number of these teas for blending it is understood that the increase will not be passed on for the time being. Supplies of both bulk and caxton, loaf sugar also arrived by the same vessel, and as due to the reciprocal arrangement now in force between, Australia and New Zealand the new duties do not apply to any Australian goods which were dutiable previously (previous duty on loaf sugar Vid per lb and 1 per cent primage) this consignment landed without any increase in cost. As there has been considerable misapprehension in regard to the new Budget duties the above statement should make quite clear that even if Parliament decides to ratify the V£d per lb increase in sugar, loaf will remain unaltered. Another instance of the present reciprocal arrangement is that Australian macaroni, which at present pays 30 per cent duty but no primage, is not liable for the extra 3 per cent primage now in force. Small shipments of both bulk and carton dates arrived from London last week, but due to the very small stocks available it is anticipated that supplies will not last very long. Wholesalers are already making inquiries through the brokers for further supplies, but so far without success. Small consignments of Java peanut kernel* arrived by the last Sydney steamer, via transhipment, and due to the general scarcity have been much in demand, with the result that supplies will be short again in a week or two. In an effort to make supplies go as far as possible merchants are only selling broken quantities meantime. Sago and tapioca are very scarce on spot, and in an effort to alleviate the position until the arrival of the direct steamer early next month, merchants have brought small supplies by the Karepo, which arrived this week from Melbourne. Further supplies of Tasmanian fruit pulp in all varieties have just come to hand and should sell well, as this is the period of the year when the various varieties are so much in demand by the public for jam and jelly-making. With the facilities of associated products now available for sure and certain results without the prospect of failure, housewives are sure to take advantage of retailers' offers on these lines. Much higher costs are likely to rule on recent landings of Canadian salt in bulk and small bags due to this shipment carrying the new duty impost. Further supplies of desiccated coconut have recently come to hand, and are now in ample quantity in both bulk and packets. As late shipments have come to hand at very favourable costs merchants are experiencing quite a good demand. Some merchants are experiencing temporary shortages in various sizes of prunes, and also on certain well-known brands of seeded raisins. Further replenishing stocks are already well on the way, so that the present scarcity should only be for a short period. Bulk cornflour is practically unprocurable on this market just at present, this being due to the recent increase in duty on Canadian, which has forced merchants to divert their buyinjj to English. On account of the changeover to English there has been some slight disorganisation in merchants' shipments which is making supplies short for the time being, but immediately first shipments arrive buyers are then assured of an ample continuity of supplies following. Wholesale merchants received shipments of clothes pegs by the Canadian Constructor last week, and these are now carrying the increased duty of 1/4 per box. Australian Sultanas. Owing to the extreme shortage of stocks of sultanas in Australia the Commonwealth Dried Fruit Control Board have now cabled instructions to their agents that no further business is to be booked meantime. Small quantities of currants are still available, and business on tbia line is therefore still being accepted. In view of this further development, which follows on last week's report of an extreme scarcity, we would strongly urge retailers to cover their requirements without delay. In the majority of cases wholesalers have covered fairly well ahead, and therefore will have shipments still to come forward, but it is just as well to remember that if there is any sudden rush by the retail, stocks in hand would quite likely prove insufficient for the demand. Salmon. Agents for various packers have recently received cable quotations of opening prices for new season's British Columbia pack ealmon for spread shipment up to February next at slight reductions on previous rates named. Some few months ago prices quoted by packers were listed at reductions on previous opening rates, and in the majority of cases latest quotations now show further slight reductions. So far Alaska prices have only been named by one packer, and in some quarters it is considered doubtful if much business will be done until prices come to hand from packers of the best known brands. In previous years importers of Alaskan salmon have had to pay a duty of '3d per lb, and British Columbian, due to the preferential duty, only l%d per lb. British Columbian is now on the same basis of duty as Alaskan, due to the removal of the former British preferential iariff previously granted to Canada. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea aeld on the 11th instant, 1% million pounds was placed under offer. Quality of • nost grades were considered useful, while Jvas and Newera Eliyas were choice. The •esult of the sale showed that common cinds were steady and medium and good rinds considerably dearer. Actual price iterations showed that commons and Price broken Orange Pekoes remained inn, plain 8.0.P.'s advanced %d per lb, irst classic broken Pekoes 94d per lb, and ine broken Orange Pekoes Id per lb. Exshange remains unaltered. Spanish Muscatels. New season's prices on Spanish muecatels iave just been named, the figures quoted >eing a little lower than last year. As aJI he direct steamers are due to leave with heir Christmas goods some time next nonth retailers- should realise that the natter is urgent and place their i •usiness immediately so that .merchants an make provision for the requirements if the trade. It is unlikely that much urplus stock wi.i be brought down, and ■h'ere is, therefore, every likelihood that hose retailers who are not prepared to nake-cover now will be left short in December when stocks are most required. I Linseed Oil. ».....'. Quotations for British linseed oil are [gain slightly easier this month, prices for )oth raw and 'buPed -feeing--reduced "'-fr-f uxther %d (per gallon £.0.b.«. Glasgow, '

Walnut Meat. Prices were quoted by cable during the past week for new season's offerings of Chinese walnut meat in quarters, halves and pieces. Shipment is named for October next, and as prices are slightly better than last year considerable business i≤ being done. Supplies at the moment are unusually ehoi~t, so that practically all intending buyers have already operated. Brazil Nuts. Cable advice has been received from London during the week-end that shippers are now quoting best Para Brazil nuts at a reduction of 2/ per cwt. Sardines. Sardine quotations in various outside brands have been listed at slightly easier rates lately, although reports received from various well-known packers indicate that supplies are much less than usual. In regard to present quotations—little interest appears to be taken in these offerings, with the exception of 1/16's, on which good business has been 'done. Greaseproof Paper. . Normal supplies of ereaseproof paper are coming forward from Scandanavia, and as mill prices have been slightly easier lately, this has been responsible for additional business being sent forward for immediate shipment. Tinned Oysters. Suppliis of a well-known and popular brand of Stewart Island.oysters have nidified the trade during the past week that owing to lower packing costs they have been enabled to reduce their wholesale rates 6d per dozen. Cherries. In cables to hand during the week prices for English whole drained cherries are quoted a little firmer, but although these latest quotations are slightly above the price of French, when landed costs are compared, English are slightly cheaper, so that most of the buyers operating at present are showing a decided preference for English. Barcelona Nuts. Spanish Barcelona nuts are being quoted at a reduction of V per cwt on previous rates. Almond Nuts. In cables just recently received both soft shell almond nuts and new crop Sicily Filberts are listed at a reduction of 4/ per cwt. Raisins. Cables just to hand advise a reduction of 9d per cwt on choice, 1/3 per cwt on extra choice and V<3 per cwt on fancy golden bleached raisins. New season's seedless cartons are listed at a reduction of 3d, and present season's 1/3 per cwt. Sixteen ounce eeedless and seeded tartons are also reduced 1/9 per cw t. Smyrna Figs. By cable this week there has been & further slight adjustment on new season s figs but it is not considered alterations will 'be sufficient to affect the present wholesale rates. Raw Ginger. Cables were received last week that the ginger crop iu China suffered considerable damage due to floods and there is every likelihood, according to the information received, of an acute shortage of raw I material. No alteration has been made in the market, but prices firmed up considerably about a month ago. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/2% per lb, and 1/2 per lb for prompt cash Second grade factory, booked, 1/0% per lb, and 1/. per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, lOd per lb. Cheeee.—Mrst grade factory, export size (80's), 6d to 6%d per lb net. Best quality mediums (40's), 7d to 7%d per lb. First I quality, 6%d per lb net. Loaf, 7%d per lb. I Tinfoil, %lb pats. 1/3 per lb. Honey—Bulk, white, 5%d per lb. Light amber, 4%d to 5d per lb. Bacon.—Hams, 9d to lOd per lb; rolled hams, lid; cooked whole ham, 1/ to 1/1 ! per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/3 to 1/4% per lb; bacon sides, 9d to 9%d per lb; rolled eides, 10% d to ll%d per lb; middles, ll&d to H%d per lb; shoulders, 7%d per lb; rolled shoulders, 9Vfed per lb; lard, bulk, 6d per lb; pats, 7d per lb. Flour—Local, 2001b sacks, i>lß 7/6 per ton; 100's, £19 2/6 per ton; 50' a. £19 12/6 per ton; 25'e, £20 7/6 per ton; 12%'s, £21 5/ per ton; 6%'s. £21 15/ per ton. Linseed—Whole, 19/6 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 9/6 per 1001b. 11/3 per bushel; whole white, 10/9 per bushel; whole black, 13/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/6 per lb; second quality, 2/3 per lb; binder, 7V*d per lb. Peameal—lo/6 per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—l 2/3 per 1001b. Bluestone. —40/6 per cwt.