COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18896, 19 December 1924, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

TRADE AT HIGH PRESSURE.

BRISK CHRISTMAS BUSINESS.

Business has made up for a quiet opening in the early spring by a great rush during the last few weeks, and everything is now going at high presure. The wholesale houses report the extra bookings for January account as being beyond expectations, and most of these have been delivered. Stocks have been generally in a good condition to cope wuh all this extra trade. Country trade is exceptionally good.

Retailers are now participating in the moro hopeful outlook that exists in the whole community, and the Christmrs trade is rapidly making up for a rather hesitating beginning. All departments are sharing in the active trade conditions, from motor-cars and pianos down to dress materials and toys. The Christmas pudding is shorn of a good deal of its former popularity, but the grocers still report a heavy call for many of tho old favourite Christinas dainties. DRIED FRUITS. After all the doubt about arrivals, everything came to hand early this year, and there haa been r_u difficulty about getting them distributed. Spanish and Califorinan muscatels have been selling well, while Turkish figs have sold so cheap that some sizes are now cleaned up. Raisins aro now in good supply, but there is rather a shortage in apricot 3 and peaches. Prunes aro still likely to bo short in the small sizes, owing to tho heavy demand for shipment to Europe, where the crop was very light. A recent fire in San Joso destroyed 1000 tons of prunes, and in ordinary seasons this would not make much impression, but this year it accentuates a pronounced shortage. All kinds of nuts and almonds are dear this year, owing to the combined influence of poor crops and heavy buying. Purchases for Germany have been two to three times as heavy as they were two years ago. SAFETY MATCHES. An advance in first cost is noted, following a period during which prices have been kept down by keen competition. So far the rise is not very pronounced, but it is taken as an indication that the price war is over. „ HARDWARE. A noticeable improvement is reported by merchants, after a rather quiet period. Implements are not in very heavy demand, but other farming requisites are moving oif well. Building ironmongery is not very active. _ I DRAPERY.

All the drapers are now making a fine display, and with perfect weather to tempt buyers into the city, there is a very active turnover. Stocks are well selected, some of the fabrics this season being particularly choice, both in colour and m material. JNo notice is being taken oftlio ri ß e in wool, as it will not make any difference to woollen goods until next season. A noticeable demand in drapery this year is lor presents, quite a common thing being to select a. useful article of attire. STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS. All classes are meeting with a keen demand, and every shop is thronged with buyers this week. Some very mco novelties are displayed, and as long as the Quality is sound there is no hesitation to pay a. good price. Leather goods of all km as are selling well, and there is a special ca,d for everything suitable for holiday use or for Christmas presents.

POTATOES. Large quantities aro row coming in, as the later crops aro turning out well. Ino weather bus been about perfect lor potatoes, ample rain to ensure a go'od growth, followed by warm conditions, while blight ir alniost entirely absent. Regular supplies have kept tho market steady, and Dost quality aro now quoted at 9s 6d to 10a Gd ex store. A good demand lb reported, as distributors are taking in their requirements to last .them over tho holidays, but at this time of .the year the quantity selling is at its minimum, owing to so many householders having a few of their own growing. In tho neighbourhood of the city private gardens have done very well this year, so thnt there will be less than usual required through the markets. In addition to this reduction in tho demand, other vegetables are in such heavy supply that they aro largely taking the place of potatoes. It is many years s.nco kitchen gardens have done so well as they have this season.

ONIONS. A few merchants are still holding the last of the> Canadian onions, but the market has been out away from under them by cheap quotations from Australia. Consequently Canadian have fallen, and they are quoted this week at '20s per crato. A largo crop is maturing in Australia, the hot weather in Victoria lately haying been perfect for ripening, and low prices are now mentioned. Next week's arrivals are offering at 13r v and importers aro readily booking to arrive, as the local crop is coming oil fast, and will be equal to all demands in a few days. On this account there will he very few importations from Australia after next Tuesday, if any. OATS. Demand is dull, and all inquiries aro easily met by Canadian white o:its, in stock or to arrive, which are quoted at Gs to 6s 3d. while Australian are f>s Gd. No improvement in demand is expected, as pastures aro doing particularly well, and there is not much necessity for hard feed. CHAFF. Ample supplies of Taamanian chaff are arriving, and the market is weaker at lis ex store. Blenheim chaff is also weaker, being now quoted at 12s Gd ex store, shippers in Marlborough no doubt looking forward to the market sagging when the new season's crop is available. North Island chaff will supply a large proportion of the local demand during the coming year, and new season's Ilawke's Bay is offering for delivery after the end of January. HAY. Fortunately the weather conditions have been perfect for haymaking this week, and operations Lave been eagerly carried on. The crop is a. heavy one, and will relievo a great deal of anxiety over next wintor. FODDER CROPS.

Largo areas have been put under fodder crops during the past month or six weeks, and the°e will bo safe now. as they received great benefit from copious rain Inst week. Farmers in the Waikato were short of feed last rummer, and this, no doubt, accounts for the rush to get in their fodder crops early this season. Swedes are now being put in, and th:s will continue until tho end of the year, when they will no doubt be brought on by the usual break in the weather early in January. CRASS SEEDS. Most varieties will be lower this autumn, provided that the weather allows a reasonable crop to be harvested. So far tho grass crops are doing well in most districts, but, heavy rain will niako the harvesting of feed late in 6onw places, and it will run very Close to the time when it is wanted for planting. On tho other hand, clovers will most likely bo dearer. WII EAT. Weekly shipments of fowl wheat from Australia are now keeping consumers supplied, but the price is firm at 8s 9d ox store. The new harvest in South Australia is now to lie drawn upon, and a shipment is arranged for early delivery, followed by regular supplies during January mid February. After February 28 the old duty is to lie reinstated, and it, is expected that, tiio new harvest in Canterbury will be drawn upon for a time. It is now certain that there will be a shortage, so that in> portation will again have to take place. BRAN AND POLLARD. In steady demand, with ample supplies for ail requirements. MAIZE. The quantity arriving is meeting with a steady demand, and this keeps the prico firm a, Cs tid on the wharf in wholesale lines. Although all consignments are readily moving off, tho consumptive demand is not. very heavy. FERTILISEHS. Largo quantities of super are being deliverer!. chiefly for use with swedes. Basic slag is in demand at lower rates for forward delivery from February onwards. Phospbntic and potassic. manures are selling well. All top-dressing nia.nuris are meeting with an eager inquiry, as farmers are anxious to take advantage of the favourable markets by increasing production. LONDON TALLOW SALES. Australian nnd N.Z. Cable Association. (Kecd. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 17. At the tallow sales. 899 casks were offered, and 78'2 sold. Fine muttou declined Is, and others sorts advanced fid to Is. Mutton Bold at 54a 3d to -19s Cd; beef, 62s tB 49s f>d.

CHICAGO WHEAT QUOTATIONS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rued. 7.5 p.m.) CHICAGO, Dec. 17. Wheat.—December, 1 dollar, 66 cents; May. 1 dollar 70 1-8 cents; July, 1 dollar, 47 a-8 cents.