THE RETAIL TRADE FOR DECEMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13391, 21 January 1907, Page 5

THE RETAIL TRADE FOR DECEMBER.

BRISK IN AUCKLAND.

SCARCITY OP MONEY IN' THE

SOUTH

[by teli:graimi.—phksn association.]

\Vk.i,i,ini;to\', Saturday. Tin: Labour Journal, issued to-day, slates that business in Auckland is very brisk, and if anything better than in the preceding months-

At Cluistclumh the retail trade is reported to lie in a satisfactory condition. 'Some of the largo establishments state that the business done is quite up to previous) years, others again complain of the scarcity of money, and say that the trade ha« not come up to their expectations. There are a. variety of reasons given. Some say that they were expecting a great influx of people (hiring the Exhibition seasou, and stocked rather heavier than usual. They now rind that, they are not doing the business they expected. Others are of the opinion that the money is going into the Exhibition, and that they are left to wait for the payment of current accounts. To the casual observer there seems a lack of the activity that is usual at this season of the year.

The Duuetfln trade generally has been brisk during the past month, and compared with the same period of last year the volume of business transacted appears to be an improvement, though it is distinctly noticeable that there exists a scarcity of ready cash, which may be accounted for by the fact that many people are making preparations for visiting the Inhibition, and are husbanding whatever spare capital they may possess towards (hat cud. thus causing a shortage amongst the local tradespeople.

Outdoor workers have been aided by tine weather dining the month, and as a consequence have been able to make very good time, thus allowing good wages to be earned.