MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1932, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

SMALL VOLUME WHOLESALE

TRADE

RESIN MARKET ATTRACTIVE,

NEW CROP OFFERS ON TURPENTINE.

"Auckland Star" Oftice :

Tuesday, April 26.

Trade during the week has been rather restricted, most wholesale distributing business being dull, and any ouleis received in light compass on account of the retail buying so very sparingly. Numerically merchants' orders are still as heavy as ever, but owing to quantities being so much smaller than usual wholesalers' turnover has been very much j reduced. In the retail section general, counter trade during the week has aUo: been very light, tne prevailing depression having the eil'ect of reducing storekeepers' takings considerably. Retail stores are finding competition very keen, and profits are therefore very small. General News. Packers of a well-known line of vegetable extract who have received quite a substantial response to their special bonus offer of 5 per cent, now advise that this special arrangement definitely terminates on the 20th of next month. The manufacturers of a well-known line of dental paste are placing on this market a dental powder which should be popular with the trade. With the close proximity of the winter months a wellknown Southern manufacturer of cough remedies is making a special bonus oflei of one bottle free with every dozen ordered by the retail. Further supplies of overseas lines arrived from England during the week compri.sc bulk and packet cornflour, table salt in bags and drums, both plain and iodised, cocoa in quarters, halves and * lib tins, as oil as bulk, Worcester sauce, red herrings, Epsom salts in bulk, anchovy sauce, packet safeties, meat extract, etc. From Canada small shipments of salmon in lib and halves have just been landed, with costs considerably higher on account of the present foreign duty now being paid on this item. From Australia, rice, cream of tartar, etc. The Eastern steamer previously advised as having left Singapore was delayed owing to late arrival, and did not finally clear the above port until Friday last, making arrival in Auckland approximately a week later. Quite a fair amount of inquiry has been made through the brokers this week for greaseproof paper, immediate stocks being very short. Latest reports from Australia indicate that there has not been any change in the general rice position, and millers are still prepared to book Australian grown rice at present prices for delivery spread for the next three months. The seed position also is unchanged, although it is reported that it is still difficult to obtain supplies of Manchurian seeds, and so far it does not look as if there is likely to be any improvement in the near future. Owing to the failure of the canary seed crop in Australia, buyers arc now obtaining supplies froln overseas, first supplies of which are not expected to arrive before next month. A delicacy packed by local canners in canned mushrooms is now being offered on this market, and should sell exceedingly well during the "out season." Packing is in nominal 111) and l%lb tins, and retail prices are attractive. Resin. The market on French resin continues to show an easier tendency, to-day's prices showing the following reductions on tlicwe named a fortnight, ago: G grade £1 7/6 per ton. N £1 2/6. WG and WW £1 7/6. On the present basis of price offers on French are considered to have now reached a very attractive level, .and from present indications it looks as if the bottom of this market lias just about been reached. American prices just named also show declines, but in this ease only amounting to 2/6 nor ton on both G and N grades. The American market does not show the attractive values that are at present being offered on French, so that practically all the business that has been transacted during the past few weeks has been done in the latter grade. Turpentine. Cables received about the middle of last week noted pine tree turpentine as remaining unchanged at previous rates. Since then further cables have been received quoting new crop for shipment during May and .Tune. Contrary to expectations, prices have not shown any reduction on previous rates, shippero intimating that the market was firm. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held on the 12th instant, 3,500,0001b of tea was offered at the auction. (Quality of most grades siiowed a further falling off, but was coloury and useful. The expectation is for plain qualities up to the end of the month The result of the sale showed a good general demand, with commonest kinds strong, while athers were irregular and generally easier. Actual price alterations at the sale showed a firm market on commons, a reduction of '/id per lb on Price Broken Orange Pekoes and Plain 8.0.P.'5, and a reduction of I%d per lb on First Classic Broken Pekoes and Finest Broken Ot-ango Pekoes. Exchange was quoted at 1/0 9-32. At the sale held this week the quantitv under oflcr will amount to 2,500,0001b. Sago and Tapioca. The first offer of sago and tapioca for the July-August direct steamer was made during the week, showing a reduction of 3d per cwt on all grades. Prices to-day are considered very attractive, and it is estimated that on account of the present favourable price level buyers will commence their operations early. Pineapples. New r/ffers on Singapore pineapples show a further slight alteration. %d per dozen reduction being noted on first quality l'/ilb cubes new crop. Ground Almonds. Late cables received from London advise that ground almonds have shown a further weakness. latest reductions amounting to £3 per ton. Sicily Almonds. Prices for new season's Sicily almonds for forward shipment have shown a further reduction during the jiast week of £5 per ton. with the market remaining still uncertain. Latest indications for future supplies of old season's are for further advances in the market in prices ranging up to £10 per ton. Bulk Raisins. Oiled bleached bulk raisins are now being offered at a reduction of 5/6 per cwt, while seeded muscats are listed at an advance of 6d per cwt. There is a good deal of trade passing for Malagas, which are proving of excellent quality, the attraction in this instance being on account of these being quoted 5/ per cwt less than seeded muscats. Thompson's bulk raisins are listed at a reduction of 1/ per cwt. Prunes. Large size prunes particularly 30-40's, are quoted at reductions ranging from 2/ to 5/ per cwt. but some of the smaller sizes, particularly 70-80's. are listed at a slight increase, these sizes being generally firm. Pepper. The pepper market appears to have touched bottom, prices to-day only being about 'id per lb above the recent low levels at which a quantity of merchants' business was finalised. The new crop is not expected before August next, and therefore supplies from now 'on are likely to be in a small compass, which should make the tendency more for" advances than declines.

Brazil Nuts. Late cables advise still lower quotations for new season's Brazil nuts, Paras showing a reduction of £2 per ton for immediate shipment. Prices for shelled are also easier to the extent of Vsd per lb. Mail advices indicate that unless the special commissioners appointed to deal with any revision of tariff make an alteration in a few months' time, all Brazil nut kernels shipped from England will bear the incubus of 10 per cent ad valorem duty on nuts in shell. None of these kernels are packed at port of entry in bond, and for the time being it is impossible to get anj' drawback of duty. Peanut Kernels. Latest advices in connection with this market indicate a drop in last prices received by cable of 10/ per ton. Currants and Sultanas. Since the advice received a fortnight ago of the withdrawal of all Australian sultanas and Three Crown currants, merchants have been overwhelmed with orders, as it seems very doubtful at this juncture if the Control Board will be able to offer any further supplies oil the same basis. Some very heavy sales have also been made overseas, and from present reports it does not look as if either crop tonnage is coming up to expectations. Under the circumstances more interest is being taken in offers on Greek and Smyrna sultanas, 'priccs on both lines being fairly favourable. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked. 1/I'/i per lb, and 1/ per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked. llVzd per lb. and lid per lb for prompt cash. Fanners' separator, 9d per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, export size (80's), 7d to 7'/ad per lb net. Best quality medium (40's), 7Vid to 8d per lb. First quality, 7Vid per lb. Loaf, 7%d to 894 d per lb. Tinfoil, Mslb pats, 1/3 per lb. Honey.—Bulk white, 5%d per lb. Light amber, 494(1 to 5d per lb. Bacon.—Hams, 9%d to lOd per lb. Rolled hams, 11 '/id per lb. Cooked ham, 1/ to 1/1 per lb. Cooked pressed hams, 1/3 per lb. Bacon sides, 79& dto B%d per lb. Polled sides. 9%d to 10(1 per lb. Middles, 9'/id to 10d per lb. Shoulders, s'/id per lb. Rolled shoulders. 7'/id to 8d per lb. Lard, bulk, Od per lb. Pats, 7d T>er lb. Linseed. —Whole. 16/11 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 7/3 per 1001b. Flour. —Local. 2001b sacks, £15 7/6 per ton; 100's, £16 2/6 per ton; 50's. £16 12/0 per ton; 25's. £17 7/6 per ton; l2Vi's, £18 5/ per ton: 6%'s, £18 15/ per ton. Malt.—Crushed, 11/3 per bushel. Whole white, 10/9 per bushel. Whole black, 13/6 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/6 per lb. Second quality, 2/3 per lb. Binder, 7d per lb. Pcameal.—lo/6 per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts: 12/6 per 1001b. Bluestone: 36/3 per cwt.