MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 209, 5 September 1939, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

SUBSTANTIAL TURNOVER.

INITIAL EFFECTS OF EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.

ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES RATIONED. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, September 5. Auckland wholesale grocery merchants reported heavy frading conditions during las.t week, and the turnover for the month generally showed an advance on the corresponding period of last year. In the tobacco section the new month's delivetieis were made to the country on Thursday and in Vhe town area on Friday. General News. On Monday inorning X" e\v Zealanderss woke up to the grim fact that their country is at war- what will it mean to business? At the moment, of course, nobody knows, but an immediate reaot'ioti was a rush of inquiries from the retail trade regarding goods over which it was expected the Government would exercise early control. Repoj ts indicate thait the general pmblic are buying many lines in somewhat heavier volume t'han usual overtile past few days, causing the retailer to become apprehensive regarding his replenishments should certain items come under Government restriction. As regards general commodities, merchants have, in the mutual mt'erest/.s of t.iemselves and the retailer and the consuming public, adopted a s»trict* ration procedure. supplying only to their usual clients and in normal requirement*, only. As anticipated, the very first day of national emergency has seen t'he Government take control of several essential commodities, includiiii.: sugar, tea and flour, which are already being strictly rationed. An appeal to the consuming pub lie to assist by whole--1 ear ted co-operation witili measures constituted for their protection, has been issued by the Auckland Master Grocers' Association.

Advice was received last week of an advance of £2 per ton iu the c.i.f.e prices of bulk cornflour. Spot »l\icks are in very short coin pans, so that the advance was applied immediately.

Further supplies arrived on Friday of a well-known brand of packet prunes in lib and 21b sizes. Owing to the adverse conversion rate this shipment showed a very considerable increase in cost in comparison to previous arrivals. Consignments of ot'her America*! goods, which arrived on the name boat, such as raisins, dried fruits, etc.. unfortunately, owing to the difficult conditions now applying, have been subject to heavy increases in landed costs.

The following shortages were noted during the past week: A popular brand of loz packets of cut tobacco, which are out for the time being; a line of English cigarette tobacco in loz tins is short till further supplies arrive about the Ist prox. Another line of cigarette tobacco in loz and 2oz tins is short, with further supplies expected in about a week's time. Peanuts in shell are very short, with most merchants light out. Macaroni in all packings, wifh a further shipment due about the 9th instant. Other lines right out are can openers, split lentils and certain brands of tinned curry.

Arrivals to hand from coastal ports and oveiveas dining the p.ist. wepk comprise consignments of healfii salts, poultry spice, tobacco. .~>o's rolled oats, malt extract, pills, wax matches, safety matches, light halves and pieces walnuts, bulk tea. bags rice, chewing gmni. bags of superfrhc salt, also coaise washed salt, slab apricots, 1Ctown sultanas, l's and 2's packets prunes, proprietary brand tea, breakfast cereals, bulk dates. sheep tongues, cake powder, custard powder, baking powder, couirh mixture, cigarette papers, starch, etc., etc. Sicily Almonds. Shippers advise that due to present' | conditions in the Mediterranean quotations of Sicily almonds from ports of origin are now completely withdrawn. On the other hand Sicily almonds and blanched sweet almonds for shipment from London have, according to cable information received last: week, advanced approximately £10 per ton. Brazil Nuts. Notwithstanding a ca.bled advice that quotations for shelled Brazil nuts had increased Id per lb, shippers' quotations ate still considered to be quite attractive. Business is for prompt shipment. Vine Fruits. The Australian Dried Fruit Control Board advise that quotations for all vine fruits for shipment during t'he month of September remain unchanged. Ground Almonds. Latest tallies received advise that the market for ground almonds has firmed considerably during the past week, a comparison of present rates with those ruling a few weeks ago showing latest prices at an increase of £20 per ton. Salmon. It is reportecl by an agent for one of the largest shippers of British Columbian salmon that even if merchants were able to obtain permits to purchase their usual quota for the coming season they would experience great difficulty in obtaining any supplies at all owing to the extraordinarily large shipments sold to Great Britain and France during the past fewweeks. Dried Fruits. Fairly substantial consignments of Californian prunes and raisins arrived to this market by the Alatson liner last week, but owing to scarcity of supplies previously prevailing, the demand for both lines has been very heavy, with the result it is not anticipated this shipment will last any length of time. Unfortunately owing to the difficulties merchants are experiencing due to the deferred payment system it is unlikely that any further shipments will be made from San Francisco until more definite guarantees of payment are given. Peanut Kernels. Su—dies of Java peanut kernels are again becoming short and further supplies due in about three weeks' time are eagerly awaited. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter. —First grade pats, 1/4 V& per lb; first grade bulk, 1/4%. Second grade, pats, 1/iV*; second grade bulk, 1/4%; whey pats, 1/3%. Cheese. —Export (80's), crate lots, 9%d per lb; less, lOd per lb. Medium (40's), crate lots, lOd per lb: less. IOHd per lb. (20's) crate lots. 10% d per lb: less, IOHd per lb net. Loaf, crate lots, 10% d per lb; less, ll'/id per lb net. Bacon.—Ham, 1/2 per lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/4%: cooked whole ham, 1/5%; cooked rolled nam, 1/8: cooked pressed ham, 1/10 and 2'- bacon sides, 1/0%: rolled middles, 1/5; lard, bulk, Sd; pats, 9d: dripping, pats, 4%d. Honey.—First grade: lib cartons, 11/6 per dozen; 21b tins, 22/9; 51b tins, 56/6. Second grade: lib cartons, 9/3 per dozen; 21b tins, 18/; 51b tins. 43/6. Third grade: lib cartons, 8/ per dozen; 21b tins, 15/6; 51h tins, 38/9.

Flour. —J-iOcnl: 2001b sacks. £14 15/6 T>er ton: 100's. £15 12/6; 50's, £15 17/6; 25'=. £16 7/6: W/i's. £17; £17 17/6.

Malt.—Crushed. 11/6 oer bushel; whole white, 11/3; whole black, 12/3.