MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 115, 17 May 1932, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

DISTRIBUTING TRADE QUIET.

EASTERN STEAMER DISCHARGING. SUGAR REDUCED. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, May 17. Wholesale distributing trade still continues to show a quiet tone, and little in terns t seems to be taken in merchants' seasonable oKens on overseas lines present, althoug-.i some good otters die being made. \v nolesale importations ai*o are uecidcdly lignter, and sa estor '"S"" priced luxury lines are in little demand at the moment. Retail trade has a .so been quiet during the past week. Endeuvou « have been made to stimulate sales y special oilers, and although the number ot tsales in some instances are heaviei, stoic keepers' actual gross returns are st much lower than usual owing to the small ness of the individual purchases made. General News. The Narbada, from Eastern porta, arrived on Friday last and brought iui'ther supplies ot shellac, coin woolpacks, lentils, Haricot beans, rice, kapolc, Java peanut kernels, sago, pepper, pineapples, door mats and Indian and Java tea. The Kalingo has also just come to hand, this vessel bringing the hrst shipments of new season s dried iruits

(sultanas and currants) in all grades from One Crown upwards. As the market lias been bare for over a considerable period this shipment has been eagerly awaited

by the trade. Merchants' sales have been very heavy for the lower grades ot sultanas particularly, so that the greater portion of merchants' present landings j will bo delivered practically straight on c the wharf. Those storekeepers who made early purchases of sultanas and currants J when prices were first named have been particularly fortunate, and have every ( cause to be well pleased with their pur- , chases. Other importations during the week ] from overseas were bicarbonate or soda, ; English salt in o's stoved, dairy line and iodised. Further supplies of a popular , brand of English marmalade m all ings have also just come to hand. I his line, owing to increases in first cost, is now being quoted at advances on previous rates. There is a temporary shortage ot ] a number of brands of English safeties, . as well as some grades of prunes, although 1 further supplies of this latter line are ex- 1 pected during the next few days. A popular line of English coffee essence is also in short supply throughout New Zealand, and merchants are anxiously waiting on further shipments coming to hand. With cooler weather conditions 119W much in evidence merchants are finding that split peas and pearl barley are selling unusually well, and arc having to keep replenishing stocks consistently coming forward from the South. Mullet is now in ample supply, and is selling well. Ihere has not been any change in the Australian rice situation during the past month, although some time ago there were rumours of a possible shortage due to eiop | damage by heavy rains. Millers are still

offering to accept business at present rates for spread delivery over the next three months. Advices just to hand indicate that the Java market for coffee i« showing a strengthening tendency, although first costs are still very low when consideration is given to the allowances that must be made for the decline in sterling. Blue peas are now commencing to sell, prices being slightly higher than last year owing to supplies not being quite so plentiful as previously. Coir mats have just landed, and should sell well, as demand i« heaviest during the winter months. Another line of Southern rolled oats has just been advised at increases of 1/ per dozen on the 4's, and 3/ per dozen on the 20 s. An item of interest to the retail is the packing of a popular line of Australian toilet soap, which is now being offered under a special bonus scheme of one handkerchief with each package of soap. As this line was offered to the trade at a substantial reduction in price about a month ago, and now a handkerchief is being included with each cake, this offer should appeal to the public. Mutton birds are now available, ex stock, and arc in good demand. Popular brands of cattle drenches are again being quoted with spccial discounts, according to value of parcels. Reduced prices luive l>cen notified to tlio trade on a number of brands of locally packed cigarettes in 10's, 20's and 50's, the reductions averaging from 1/ to 8/6 per thousand Reduced prices have also been notified on locally packed cut plug tobaccos, etc., prices averaging from 3d to 6d per lb. Smoking tobacco is also reduced, on some lines 5d and others 8d per lb. Sugar. A further reduction of 10/ per ton was notified on all grades of refined sugar, with the exception of loaf and icing, by the company last week. Prices on golden syrup and treacle remain unchanged. On September 21 last refined sugar was advanced £5 per ton, owing tojm increase m customs duty. On April 15 a reduction of £1 was advised, and now a further reduction of 10/ per ton, bringing the cost of the 1A grade down to £19 15/ per ton.

Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held at Colombo on the 10th instant, 2,750,0001b was placed under offer. Quality was unchanged, but occasionally inferior. Actual results of the sale showed that Commonest and Commons were in generally strong demand, others rather easier, especially offers oil thin liquoring kinds. Actual price alterations showed %d per lb advance on Commons, all other grades remaining firm and unchanged. Exchange was quoted at 1/6%. Brazil Nuts. ICcw season's quotations for Brazil nuts for May shipment are now showing considerable .advances, latest cables received indicating an increase oE £2 per ton. Prices, however, are considered still favourable, as they are well under opening quotations, so that intending buyers are urged to finalise their purchases as the market tendency is distinctly upward. It is of interest to note a marked increase in the sale of Brazil kernels, which are now being packed in 281b sealed tins, therefore enjoying an immunity from grub and stalenees, which is making this line command an increasing interest from the retail point of view. The actual difference in price between the two lines represents practically only the depreciation of the shell and the loss in weight, so that the intrinsic value of the Brazil kernel from the customers' point of view is such as to recommend the kernel. Bulk Raisins. Attractiv; prices for unbleached Thompson's seedless raisins arc now being quoted in new season's fruit September shipment, ex California. These offers are attracting considerable attention from buyers, mainly on account of the anticipated shortage of Australian fruit. Sicily Almonds.

Sicily almonds are still very firm, and continue on an advancing market, latest quotations received by cable during the week for new season's supplies for Septem-ber-October shipment showing an advance of £5 per ton. The effect of this advance will probably be quickly felt in quotations for ground almonds, but so far prices for the latter have not altered. Although in demand last season, this year there is practically no interest evinced in shippers' offers of Valencias or hand-picked Sicilies, the bulk of the trade preferring the cheap ordinary pack of Sicilies. Resin.

The market for French resin, after reaching a low level, is now showing a much firmer rone, cables received during the past week advising the following advances: "G" grade 5/ per ton, "N" 7/0 per ton, "WG" 10/ per ton and "WW" 7/6 per ton. It is exceedingly difficult to give any very definite forecast on this market, but as prices up to last week have been particularly low the teni'c icy at present I seems more likely for pri-cs to advance I rather than decline. Additional business was put through just before the advances, | and buyers have received confirmation.

Pepper. Price offers for Singapore pepper were particularly low during the past week, a very attractive offer being cabled for immediate acceptance. Unfortunately before any action could be taken offers ,were withdrawn and new prices advised, showing an increase of V4d per lb on previous rates. Cable advice also indicated that the market was firm and likely to rise steadily. Smyrna Figs. New season's quotations for Smyrna figs which were announced a few weeks ago have been well received, and already business has been cabled lip at the quotations, which are on the same level as last year. Arsenate of Lead. Previously the bulk of business for arsenate of lead has gone forward for the American product. For some little while English manufacturers have been quoting for a product that is considered very satisfactory, and has already met with ready response in business from South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The market to-day is firm to the extent of £2 per ton, but even at this late advance English quotations show an advantage over American rates. Canary Seed. Supplies of new season's Argentine canary seed are not yet to hand for this market, the first of the season's shipments being expected to arrive by the Golden Bear, which is due in Auckland about the 27th instant. Local stocks have been unusually short for the last month or two owing to the heavy sales previously made to Australia, so that shipments ex this vessel will arrive to a bare market. Turpentine, The market for turpentine is again slightly easier, to-day's quotations being offered at Id per gallon lower. Wholesale Current Prices.

Butter. —First grade factory, booked, 11 Mid per lb and lid per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, lOV2II per lb and lOd per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, Od per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, export size (80's), 7d to 7Vid per lb net. Best quality medium (40's), 7'Ad to 8d _per lb. First quality, 7%d per lb. Loaf, 7%d to B%d per lb. Tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 per lb. lloney.—Bulk white, 5%d per lb. Light amber, 4%d to 5d per lb. Bacon. —Ilams, 9M:d to lOd per lb. Rolled hams, llVfcd per lb. Cooked ham, 1/ to 1/1 per lb. Cooked pressed hams, 1/3 per lb. Bacon sides, 7%d to B'/id per lb. Rolled sides, 9Vid to lOd per lb. Middles, 9%d to lOd per lb. Shoulders, SVfed per lb. Rolled shoulders, 7%d to B<l per lb. Lard, bulk, 6d per lb. Pats, 7d per lb. Linseed.—Whole, 16/11 per cwt. Linseed Meal. —17/3 per 1001b. Flour.—Local, 2001b sacks, £15 7/6 per ton; 100's, £16 2/6 per ton; 50's. £16 12/6 per ton; '25's, £17 7/0 per ton; 12M: 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. Peameal. —10/6 per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts: 12/6 per 1001b. Blucstone: 36/3 per cwt.