Congestion Of Goods Again Worries Trade

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 17

Congestion Of Goods Again Worries Trade

<Bi/ our Grocery Correspondent)

Shipping congestion at Lyttelton is again worrying the trade, with both goods made in the North Island and imported lines being held up.

Overseas goods being held up at Lyttelton include Australian fruits, rice, and tea. and these lines are urgently needed in the warehouses.

Difficulty in keeping a continuity of supply of some North Island-produced goods is a major problem. Sugar is one of the lines involved! and it seems there is either a feast or a famine.

Tomato Juice.—All tomato products have been hit hard by the poor season, and now comes the news that St. George has completely sold out this season’s pack of to rrl s f o juice. Several North Island canners still have some sizes of tomato juice available.

Eggs.—Colder weather means that egg supplies are falling off and prices are climbing A recent Increase takes the price to medium 4s 8d a doz.. standard 5s 6d a doz„ and large 5s lOd a doz.

Potatoes.— Pr'ces of potatoes have fallen during the last few weeks and the main growing regions in the South Island have had good crops. Canned Soups.— J W’attte Canneries has introduced several new canned soups on to the market recently, anti has now added a new variety: pea and ham. Packed in 16oz cans the new soup is expected to sell at 2s

German Herrings.— German fiuetea herrings in various sauces were popular a few yeare ago. and now customers ar, again asking for them.

Further supplies are arriving, and there is a choice of herrings in lemon. Rhine wine, horseradish and Bavarian sauces. Revaluation of the German mark has lifted the price slightly, but most of the popular varieties sell at Is lid a can.

Australian Fruits.—New season’s stocks of Australian vine frusta are now arriving. These are sultanas and currants. Currants have been short lately, and the trade will welcome this shipment Prices are about the same as last season.

Farmers’ Trading

Dividend Steady

The Farmers’ Trading Company, Ltd., has announced that the annual ordinary dividend for the year ended March 31 has been maintained at 15 per cent, on higher capital.

Ordinary capital was raised from £792,622 to £943.622 during the year, by share allotments made in part satisfaction of the takeovers of three companies.

The dividend will be paid on July 12. shares becoming ex dividend on June 22.

P. and I. Interim.—Phillipps and Impey. Ltd., Auckland, has announced an unchanged interim dividend of 3»l per cent., payable on June 2, ex dividend on May 26.