GROCERS’ SUPPLIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 October 1925, Page 6

GROCERS’ SUPPLIES.

PRICES 'OF COMMODITIES

HARDENING IN MANY LINES. It is interesting from time to time to learn the trend of commodities which are in general use, for the position affects the householder very directly. Naturally the shipping trouble is certain to have a considerable effect, and inquiry from local business men elicits, the opinion, that the holdup will mean that piany Christmas lines are _going to be hard to procure in their seasonable time. It will probably put back the reecipt of such supplies about six weeks. The position generally shows that the wholesale market is bare of the best fruits, and that tinned fruits are exceedingly scarce. Almonds, nuts and dates are specially short, and consequently very dear. New Zealand onions are practically unprocurable, and American supplies are eagerly awaited. 1

Fancy goods, in which general stores deal pretty largely, are reported .to be coming in freely to the Dominion from Slovakia, and the prices are very reasonable and the workmanship good. A commodity - in which there have been seevral reductions in wholesale dost is sugar, and in a recent issue the Auckland Herald notified a further reduction of 10s per ton. The reduction, says the Herald, operated as from Tuesday, and to all grades of raw and refined sugars. The wholesale price of No. 1A sugar is now down to £22 10s a ton. The last reduction occurred on July 30/ when the price was lowered 10s a tton. Sugar is now £6 lower than it was at the beginning of the year. The price was then £2B 10s, a reduction of £1 being made. in January, 30s in February, 10s in March, and again in April and on June 4, £1 on June 29, and 10s on July 30. PRICE OF FLOUR. EFFECT OF INCREASED FREIGHT. The revision of the .railway tariff made a difference of 3s 6di per ton from Wanganui or New Plymouth, and local bakers consider they should be treated on the same lines as many other commodities, and have a lbwer fiat rate for all stations, instead of having to pay more for the longer distances. The flat rate, the same for all stations, it is understood, .is in force for some other businesses, and they are allowed to add the extra ctost, but this is not the case with flour. The difference is shown by railway notes received by a local baker, which shows that the total freight on 75 sacks of flour, 20 sacks of wheatmeal, one hundred of bran and a sack of sharps cost £lO 9s on August 22, and £l3 Is lid ion September 30, while 22 sacks showed an increase of 12s. The oost lias to he carried by the local retailer, because the ' Board of Trade will allow no increase in the. price of bread.