GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14916, 14 March 1914, Page 13

GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

Tea- -Indiau : A large quantity at auction; tone if anything easier all round, but towards the end a hardening tendency. Ceylon: Fair quantity at auction. Fine tea sold well at full rates, common and medium a little easier. Java: A fair quantity at auction, if anything a little easier all round.

Coffee —The auctions this week produced very small quantities, and all grades sofd at firm prices, especially ■for fine coloury sorts. Santos: About \3d dearer for the week.

C£7i'onuaan Dried Fruits — New season's apricots and peaches are being quoted and the prices this season are low and larcje sales are likely to.be made. Old season's apples have advanced during the week, and doubtless this article will firm, as the Tasmanian crop is suffering through the drought. Californian canned fruits are selling well, and prices are lower than previous years. Tasmanian Apples—New Zealand buyers look to receive large supplies of evaporated apples from Tasmania, bub owing to the very severe drought (the worst that has been experienced for 71 years) the apples have not matured,' and at the present time it seems rather doubtful that any will be •Slipped to New Zealand. There are plenty, of apples, but they are very small, and shippers are having difficulty in fulfilling their English contracts. . Kapoc—Fair sales axe being made, but there is no change in price to reWoolpacks and Cornsacks—The market has been very quiet and 'inactive up to about a week ago. Since then mills have been contemplating a reduction in their output, which has had a stiffening effect on values, notably on bear-sellers, who had been petting rather bold during the latter bait ot last month, and who have been very busy covermg in. An agreement has been signed by about 80 per cent, of the mills to work five days a week rrom the Ist April to the end of September. The mafhet closes very firm, particularly for near delivery, as mills are well sold for the next few months. Linseed OU—This has again advanced. . _ . White Lead—Prices remain un-Pig-iron, Steel—No change in price since last report.