MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 125, 30 May 1933, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

MORE ACTIVE CONDITIONS

EASTERN MARKETS FIRMER. REDUCTION ON SUGAR. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, May 30. General merchants report that business has been more active in the wholesale grocery section during the week, Retail stores also report more favourably on the volume of business transacted during the lust Tow Cays. General News. Information received during the week indicates tliat tncre is lurtner evidence of an upward tendency . in overseas markets, particularly 111 raw materials, and the- result is that good bookings are reported by importers', agents. Ut interest to tlie trade is the advice that one manufacturer of bag blue .is ottering as an inducement to storekeepers thirteen bags to the dozen for a short period. A weuknown manufacturer of carton laundry J soap, who was conducting a bonus offer of a. 'dish mop free with, each carton, j now, advises that no further supplies or this line are available. Although the direct steamer from the East has only lately discharged cargoes of sago and tapioca, there is quite a scarcity noted on these lines, and merchants " arc already I firming-.' quotations. (Storekeepers are apparently watching the trend of-the tea market, general., firming .tendencies being noted in overseas prices since restriction proposals .came into force at .the beginning of this month, and proprietary tea packers have been experiencing quite a rush of business lately. Prices on quite a number of packet lines have been listed at reductions during the month, and it looks as if, from the way the markets are now tending, that these alterations were a little premature. Due to the advancing markets noted overseas on cheese, local quotations are now moving up, but forward business for June, July an'd August delivery can still be booked at favourable rates. Merchants are now offering to book storekeepers' requirements on canned fruits for June, July and August delivery, and as prices of Dominion pack are extremely favourable it is expected that the majority of reservations will be made on this product. Yes-: terday the local sugar company advised a reduction of 10/ per ton in the wholesale price of sugar, which is effective on brewers' crystals, Noj IA, No. 2, No. 3, invert-and castor, as well as golden syrup and treacle. Canadian onions are now being . offered for September-October delivery, quotations named being very much 011 a par with last year's offerings. Quite a number of commodities have come to hand during the week, amongst these being prunes, raisins, Vencatchelurii curry, mutton birds, desiccated coconut, salt, dates, tea, split peas, pearl barley, loaf sugar in bulk and packets, bulk and packet cornflour, bath salts, ground' rice, No. 1 rice, breakfast food, chewing gum, cream of tartar, arrowroot, peanuts, etc.

Eastern Markets. Pepper.—A much firmer tone is noted in the pepper market this week, advances being recorded of %d per lb on black, aud %d per lb on both Singapore white and Sarawak white. Cables received later in the week advised that the market is firm, j with upward tendency, and that all orders booked are strictly subject to shippers' confirmation. Nutmegs and Mace. —Both these commodities have remained fairly steady during the past week, the only alteration being a reduction of Yad per lb on sound shrivelled nutmegs, and an advance of Id per lb on broken mace. ',' Pineapples.^—Aβ previously indicated] the market for pineapples is likely to firm,,and now shows a tendency in this connection. First quality cubes are quoted at an increase of %d per dozen, and £econd quality.-cubes an advance oE %d per dozen. Other lines are also quoted firm at last ruling rates. Fair business was put through last week at prices slightly below to-day's level. •. Sago and Tapioca.—The sago and tapioca market is also firm, a number of counter bffere were put up last week, but were not acceptable to shippers, sellers asking full list prices. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held on the 24th instant, 2,250,0001b was placed under offer. Quality at the sale showed a pood improvement, especially in appearance, which is clue to fine plucking. Very email supplies of Price tea were available, with practically nothing offering on commons. The result of the sale showed a very strong demand, with commons and medium grades advancing, and good qualities strong. Actual price alterations showed an increase of %d per lb on commons and Price Broken Orange Pekoes, an advance of %d per lb on plain 8.0.P.'5, a firm market on First Classic Pekoea, and an increase of Vtd per lb on Fine Broken Orange Pekoes. Exchange was quoted at 1/6 7-32.

Australian Currants. Since opening prices on currants were named agents have received advice of the withdrawal of 3 -Crown grade. Cherries. Quotations for new season's crystallised cherries are now being listed for indent, biit as compared with locally manufactured there is very little inducement to purchase heavily from overseas. The local manufacturers are now producing a very satisfactory article, and prices named for new season's are considered quite attractive, particularly as supplies can be obtained when required without the necessity of booking heavy parcels forward. Desiccated Coconut. The market for desiccated coconut has been ruling at a very low level for a considerable period. Prices now show some firmness, an increase of 6d per cwt being advised, with shippers indicating that further advances are extremely probable. V/hite Leads. With metal markets in London firming, quotations on all leads have been unusually firm during the past fortnight. Alum. This is a line that has shown practically no alteration during the past two years. However, the general improvement shown in most markets recently appears to have affected even some of the most staple commodities, cables being received during the week advancing prices on alum 7/6 per tori. ; Jute. In recent months the jute market has been showing a decided firming tendency on Hessian woolpacks and cbrnsacks, quotations on all these , lines advancing rapidly. Gables received this week show an advance of 7% per cent, and over a period of the last three months the increase in prices amounts to nearly 30 per cent, which will give a very good indication of the heavy increases that have taken place in these lines.

Resin. The market for resin has been rather quiet, lately, the only alteration of note being a reduction of 2/6 per ton on French "N" grade. Glauber Salts. This line has registered a sharp advance and- although of British manufacture is affected by raw materiafs obtained from foreign countries, prices, now listed showing an increase of £1 7/6. Australian Prunes. Shippers are still offering to cover merchants on 70/80's and 80/90's Australian prunes for prompt shipment, prices being considered very attractive at this period. Raisins. Reductions of 1/ per cwt on seeded Muscat raisins have been advised in cables recently received. It is of interest to note that the difference between Malaga and genuine seeded Muscats is now so small as not to warrant any preference being yarietjy

t Asparagus. Latest information in connection with tins market is that certain sizes have shown a further firming and that only fair supplies are available for spot delivery. Jhe favourable prices previously named should have merited good business, but so far only small parcels have been booked for prompt shipment. Barcelona Nuts. Cables just to hand advise that prices .or new season's Barcelona nuts are firming, latest quotations being at an increase of 9/ per cwt. Kapok. The market for Samarang kapok has shown a general firming tendency for some little while. Latest information advises an increase of Vid per lb on indent rates. Brazil Nuts. The market for Brazils has shown a steadily firming tendency, quotations received by cable this week showing a further increase of 26 per cwt. Dates. Stoned dates from London are in short supply, and as t'lere is no hope of replacement before December, prices are now steadily advancing. Salmon. i The British Columbia market for salmon remains steady. Cable offers this week for Chums and Pinks were listed at a reduction of 6d per case on l's Tails Chums and 1/ on %'s, while on Pinks an advance i of 1/3 was noted on IV Tails and 1/ on %'s. Sockeyes and Cohocs were not offered, packers apparently being in short supply. j Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, ll%d per lb, and lid per lb for prompt cash; second grade lactory, booked l.OMsd per lb, and 10d per lb for prompt' cash;, farmers' separator, 9d per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory size (SO's), CVid to 7%d per lb net; best quality medium (40's), 6%d to 7%cl per lb; first quality, 7d per lb: loaf, 7%d to B%d per lb; tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 per lb; bars, 1/ per lb. I . Honey.—Bulk white, 4d per lb; light

amber, 3%d per lb. ■ Bacon.—Ham, 10d to lid per lb; rolled ham, 1/1 per lb. cooked ham, 1/3 per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/5 per lb; bacon sides, B%d to 9d per lb; rolled tides, 10d to lid per lb; middles, 10d to lid per lb; shoulders, 7%d per lb; rolled shoulders, o%d per lb; lard, bulk, 7d per lb; pats, 8d per lb. Linseed. —Whole, 16/3 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 6/11 per 1001b. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £14 12/6 per ton; 100's, £15 10/ per ton; 50's. £16 per ton; 25's, £16 15/ per ton; 12%'s, £17 2/6 per ton; 6Vi's, £18 2/6 per ton. Malt.—Crushed, 11/3 per Bushel; whole white, 11/ per bushel; whole black, 12/6 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/6 per lb; second quality, 2/3 per lb; binder, 09/ per cwt. Peameal.—lo/ per 1001b. Bluestone.—36/3 per cwt. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—l 2/3 per 1001b.