MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 187, 9 August 1932, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

DISTRIBUTING TRADE EASIER.

CHERRY MARKET FIRMER. RESIN AND TURPENTINE EASIER. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, August 9. Trade during the past week has shown a much easier tendency, and in wholesale circles particularly travellers report that orders are, in much smaller compass. The same applies very much in the retail, trade generally being very quiet. A factor that should have a tendency for brighter conditions during the next few months is that overseas markets in a number of foodstuff lines are showing a firming tendency, which should encourage more seasonable buying. General News. During the last few weeks a shortage has been noted on a well-known line of English cigarettes, and it is understood that supplies will not be available for a week or two. Three-crown Australian currants are now becoming .very scarce and merchants' present stocks will soon be exhausted. As no further supplies of this grade will be available from Australia, retailers would be well advised to look into their stock requirements for the next few months. A new line of sandsoap is being offered throughout the trade this week, being very attractively packed and retailing at 3d per cake. As the manufacturers claim that the sandsoap will not crumble or scratch, it should soon prove populai with the housewife. It is a locally-manu-factured line and is packed in cartons of three dozen and cases of six dozen. A wellknown line of English fruit saline is now being offered with a bonus of one bottle free with every one dozen ordered. Initial orders of a new line of poultry spice, which was mentioned in these columns last week, is now being sold on a basis of 13 to the dozen. A new brand of English cigarettes, manufactured by a firm who have already a number of well-known and popular lines on this market, is being offered in 10's cartons at B%d retail and 20's at 1/5. At this quotation it should have a good price appeal to the public. The retail trade are also being taken care of and are being credited with an allowance on all stocks bought since the first of last month. Imports have been rather small during the past week, the main grocery lines to hand being Canadian macaroni, English malted milk, Australian rice, chewing gum, Ceylon tea, greaseproof paper, etc. As merchants' prices are now out for all Christmas lines, such as nuts, figs, almonds, muscatels, etc., considerable intm-est is expected to be taken in these offers on account of the possibility of those not taking advantage of present quotations not being able to make reservations later. A new Dominion line of barilla soap is now being offered in doublets, attractively packed in cellophane paper, which should, on account of the low price, have an

I appeal to the public. It is being offered at 6d per bar and should meet with Rood sales at the quotation. Bulk cornflour has been selling unusually well during the past few months, with the result that merchants' stocks at the moment are rather low. Further supplies are expected very shortly. Cherries. Cables received from London during the week advise a firmer market on English pack new crop cherries, quotations just to hand being higher to the extent of %d per lb. Resin. Cables received during the past week advise recent quotations at further slight reductions. "G" grade 5/ and "N" 10/ per ton. Prices for American grades today are on a very low level, and at the present quotation "G" should attract good business, as this is the only grade brought from America for commercial uses, manufacturers importing supplies of "N" grade almost exclusively from France on account of its superior quality. Turpentine. Late cabled quotations received during the week on American pine tree turpentine have also shown reductions, to-day's quotations representing a decline of l%d per gallon on prices ruling about a month ago. Corn Sacks. Prices quoted this week for 40in and 48in corn sacks are firmer for the November direct steamer, and represent an increase of 3d to 3V4d per dozen, respectively. Even at the increase, to-day's prices are still considered to be on a very attractive level, and as most of the requirements of this line are brought forward for this steamer sailing, business win be put through without delay. Cable advices indicate that the market is showing a strong tone. Butter Beans. New season's prices for Madagascar butter beans have just been named and are on a par with last year's opening rates. Jordan Almonds. Firmer prices are noted on Jordan almonds, cables to hand from London during the past week advising an increase in shippers' quotations of £2 10/ per ton. Eastern Goods. Very little movement is noted in Eastern goods this week, tapioca and pineapples remain unchanged, but white pepper, nutmegs and mace are listed at a reduction of %d per lb on pepper, %d per lb on nutmegu 110's and %d per lb oh mace. As this week is practically the last opportunity of catching the Narbada sailing, small clcaning-up orders are being put through on these lines. Latest information indicates that the Narbada is due to leave Penang on the 11th and Singapore two days later, so that this vessel should reach. Auckland about September 7.

Sicily Aimonas. The market for Sicily almonds is still showing a firming tendency, latest advices to hand being at an increase of £2 10/ per ton. Clothes Pegs. Locally-manufactured clothes pegs are now being offered throughout the trade and are proving of excellent quality. It is anticipated that this line will take on very well and at the moment prices> are more than competitive with the imported article. Raisins. A firmer market is advised on golden bleached raisins in cables just to hand, latest quotations in comparison to rates issued a week or two ago being firmer to the extent of 3/ per cwt. On the other hand Thompson's seedless raisins for new crop have declined 1/6 per cwt, and shippers are offering at this reduction for spread delivery up to the end of next March. No changes are advised in other grades so far, but it is anticipated that corresponding reductions will be noted in other varieties shortly. | Salmon. I New season's salmon prices are expected I very shortly and buyers are anxiously • awaiting this information. Barcelona Kernels. Quotations for new season's Barcelona kernels for shipment by September/ October steamer were named a few weeks ago, and as compared with other years these are considerably lower, but latest information is to the effect that the market is hardening and old quotations are now advanced to the extent of £4 per ton for both September/October and forward delivery. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held at Colombo on the 2nd instant, 2,500,0001b was placed under offer. Quality of the Uva grades was fine, while other 3 showed improvement. The result of the sale showed that Commonest, Commons and Low Mediums were in strong demand, while others were irregular. Actual price alterations showed an advance of iirl per lb on Commons and Price Broken Orange Pekoes, as well as Plain 8.0.P.'5. First , Classic Broken Pekoes sho—ed a reduction . of %d per lb, while Fine 8.0.P.'s were firm. I

Australian Dried Fruit. Agents for the Dried Fruit Control Board are still offering limited quantities of two and three-crown sultanas, as well as two-crown currants for shipment by the Kiwitea, which is due to load for this port about the middle of the month. All orders are being accepted strictly subject to confirmation by the Control Board and any intending buyers should avail themselves of present offers. Desiccated Coconut. The market for desiccated coconut has shown a firming tendency during -the week and prices now advised show an increase of 1/ per cwt. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter. —First grade factory, booked, 1/0 J /2 per lb, and 1/ per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked ll%d per lb, and lid per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, lOd per lb. Cheese. —First grade factory, export size (80's), 6d to 6%d per lb net. Best quality medium (40's), 6V6d to 7d per lb. Kirst quality, 7%d per lb. Loaf, 7%d to B%d per lb. Tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 per lb. Bars, lid to 1/ per lb net. Honey.—Bulk, white, s'/6d per lb; light amber, 4Mid per lb. Bacon. —Hams, 9%d to lOd per lb; rolled hams, ll%d per lb; cooked ham, 1/ to 1/1 per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/3 per lb; bacon sides, 79id to B%d per lb; rolled sides, 9%d to lOd per lb; middles, OYsd to lOd per lb; shoulders, sMid per lb; rolled shoulders, 7%d to 8d per lb. Lard, bulk, 6d per lb; pats, 7d per lb. Linseed. —Whole, 16/6 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 7/6 per ton; 12V6 s, £18 5/ per ton; 6'/i's, £18 15/ per ton. Malt. —Crushed, 11/9 per bushel; whole white, 11/3 per bushel; whole black. 13/ per bushel. Twines. —Seaming, first quality, 2/6 per lb; second quality, 2/3 per lb; binder, 6%d per lb. Peameal.—lo/6 per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts. —12/6 per 1001b. Bluestone. —36/3 per cwt.