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Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21986, 9 January 1937, Page 7

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(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10) GROCERY TRADE PROSPECTS AND PRICES Trade has settled down again alter the holidays (and after the recent rush' a quietness is noticeable. Retailers are, however, quite satisfied with the turnover, and after this month more activity can be looked for. The strike in San Francisco still continues'and this has caused a cessation of exports of fruit, etc., to New Zea-, land. In consequence the , steamer Hauraki, now due to load at San Francisco for New Zealand, will now load at Canadian ports. If the strike is finished by the end of February, the steamer Wairuna will load at San Francisco for New Zealand. Even if the strike collapses within the next week or two, it will be March before any Calif cargo can arrive here. Flour Levy To assist the administration of the baking industry, the Wheat Committee (flour section) has placed a levy to , operate as from January 1, on sack flour and whealmeal of Is a ton. There is also a small levy on small bag flour, and these levies will be added to all invoices. Linseed Oil Following a rising market, London agents now cable that prices are slightly easier, and a reduction of 5s a ton is announced in linseed oil f.o.b. London. Tartaric Acid Events in Spain and Italy, the chief producing countries of tartaric acid and tartrates, during the last year have caused British importers to seek other sources of supply. Supplies of acjd from Italy and Spain have diminished, and taking advantage of the situation German manufacturers have, during the period January-October, 1936, increased their exports to Great Britain by 40 per cent, over the amount supplied during 1935. The Germans now are supplying more than half the British demand and apparently will now continue to do so, as they have kept prices within reason, by scientific manufacture. Two countries inside the Empire, viz. Australia and Cape Colony have the necessary raw material, but the production so far of tartrates in these countries is such as to play no part in the British demand. Honey New season’s honey is now coming into store and the sample is excellent. This arrival is very welcome as supplies have been, short in the last few months on the market Butter Beans Following a very attractive market for butter beans, a heavy demand especially by United States ■ operators has hardened the market, and a late cable from London advanced prices by about £2 a ton. Even at the increased price the line is still worth buyers’ attention.. Seeded Raisins Although Californian shippers are unable to ship they still cable their prices and seek business (for dispatch when possible later). Seeded raisins in San Francisco are commanding a high market with prices again up b.v 4s per cwt. Lexias are still available in Australia. and with the improved processing (to retard the early formation of a sugary condition) lexias should eventually replace to a large extent the United States product Barley Pearling quality barley is quoted at 3s lOd, Cape quality 3s 9d, and English malting 4s sd. all prices prompt shipment f.o.b. Melbourne. Cornflour and Starch Cabled advice from British manufacturers notifies a reduction of £2 a ton in both cornflour and starch values. Moulding starch for confectioners’ use is also down by £2 a ton. Rice Rangoon rice has recently made a jump, according to a cablegram quotation just to hand. - The difference in price from November to January 6 is £1 5s a ton. No reason is assigned for the movement Tea Concerning the restrictions on the exportation of tea from Ceylon, India, and Java, known as the export licensing system now operating in the above countries, a mail report states that in setting the present year’s quota for export at 82i per cent, of the pre-slump standard the International Control Committee did not cause any surprise amongst the export trade. This quota, which operates from April 1, 1937, to March 31, 1938 (and. which was announced in this column several weeks ago), is the same proportion as was, permitted last year. There was an impression in some quarters that a slight increase in : the export quota would be announced.

The export controlling authorities state that they are looking to the tea planters to increase consumption, and although the restrictions are solely to assist the tea planter, he, is expected to assist the committee and Improve the Oversea demands. The original plan was to raise gradually the quota, until pre-slump export figures was reached, but the opinion is held in London and elsewhere that this is not in sight, and doubts are now raised as to the possibility of ever reaching the goal set by • the Control Committee.

It appears that the control of exports will operate for a long time’yet and apparently planters are not exuecting a free export, nor do they in fact seek it.

A few growers may benefit by a free export market, but there is no doubt that the restriction- placed on the exports have raised prices to a very satisfactory level for the export part of the trade, but it was stated some

time ago that the low prices rilling for tea which had to be sold- in the country had in some measure reduced the advantage obtained under the tea export control restrictions. Salmon There has been a. slight fall in the Canadian market for pink salmon, also Chum grade. , • _ ~ Mail advices state That the Canadian pack this season, was better than expected. All grades produced a pack of 1,848,000 cases, beirig the highest output since 1930, when the figures exceeded this amount. , . Sockeye salmon still commands a ready market, and with restricted supplies, prices for this grade are stiU very firm. Arctic-Russian packed Sockeye has appeared on this market and the quality is excellent. : ■ Egffs . A'., , The demand for fresh eggs has slackened and prices have declined. It is expected that further declines will occur during the next" week or so.

Yesterday the city stores were paying for supplies to farmers and_producers Is a .dozen , all in, for .firsts, seconds, and ducks. These prices are net with no cqmmission deducted. Coconut Desiccated coconut is now higher than it has been for very many years, and prices are still as firm as ever. Further advances seem 7 imminent as the copra .market is still rising, another advance of 5s a ton being cabled just about New, Year for this latter coirimodity, and on-copra prices the coconut market rises arid falls.

On another''page of this issue..appears an advertisement 7 from the New Zealand Standards Institute notifying that New Zealand Standard No. 95, “Model Building:: By-lawsi” Sections I-X, copies l of which have been for-, warded to ; all local bodies, leading ‘ architects, and civil engineers, is under revision,: and comment- or proposed amendments for consideration 'within such revision. should be received by the New Zealand Standards • Institute not later than January 31 next..