TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19447, 1 October 1926, Page 11

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

QUIET STATE OF BUSINESS-

PRODUCE " MARKETS REVIEW.

In spite of several apparently advantageous features the general report makes Yetail business quiet for the week. Even the races did not bring many visitors to the city, except for the actuaf days concerned,' ao that business felt no benefit, while some retailers lxave tho usual complaint that the opposite has taken place, and that their customers reserved rather too much of their ready cash for Ellerslie. Even more important than the races, however, is the great increase which has taken place in instalment buying, as so many householders have already committed themselves for alb the surplus in their earnings over actual necessities. i The wholesale trade is expected to slacken off for a time, as most buyers have secured then - requirements for tho month, and the markets do not hold out any attraction for speculating. Building is quiet, and this applies especially to dwellings, so that there is not much doing in timber. ' REDUCTION IN RIMU. Timber merchants have reduced their list prices for rimu. the differences ranging round about 2s for the various descriptions, ill 13 is one of the results of the keen competition of imported timber of which a good deal is now imported from Canada and tho States. The favourite timber is 'cedar, which is largely used for, weatherboards, while .Oregon is being imported in regular quantities, as well os a good deal of hemlock, largely for the South Island. SEED MERCHANTS BUSY. A fealuro in the week's trado has been the heavy wholesale and retail business in seeds. Farmers are- evidently looking ahead' and preparing for a possible dry season by securing early fodder crops, although there are many who consider that this foresight should be exercised still'more. Quite a good demand has sot in for maize, millet, oats and all root crop seeds, an early inquiry having even set in for swede seeds, although it will bo another month before these are required in quantity. The weather has been perfect' for planting, and the slight break yesterday is regarded as very helpful to early planted crops. Accompanying the seed orders are largo requisitions for fertilisers, superphosphates easily taking first place as usual, with a very satisfactory call for phosphato manures. These are required for field crops as well as for the spring top-dressing which now forms such a prominent feature in farming activities.. PULL MARKET IN COPE A. The latest mail advices from London explain that copra has- continued dull, with an easier tendency, although the fluctuations in price have been small. Shippers have shown more disposition to meet the market while the demand from consumers has been so small, and this has brought in a little better inquiry from the Northern European ports. There ha 3 been a fair demand from Marseilles. TEA PRICES IRREGULAR. At the weekly sales in Colombo last Tuesday common sorts were up about, a farthing to a halfpenny, medium were firm at late rates, and tho finer kinds were down a halfpenny to a penny. The latter move was owing to the poorer quality offering, but it is expected that the quality will now improve. CORNFLOUBt ADVANCED. Canadian quotations have advanced about .£1 a ton for bulk, but packets remain unaltered ao far. Corresponding advances in packets will no doubt be advised almost immediately, and should thin le tho case some portion of this business will go to English manufacturers on old prices. OATMEAL REDUCED. Prices ha\'e been reduced very considerably by Southern packers and local millers have followed suit, advising lower prices for ail oaten products. Present prices for the raw material do not warrant such drastic reductions and it would appear that these lower-prices have been named with the object of discouraging further purchases of imported rolled oats and oatmeal by merchants. INCREASED SALE OF RAISINS. A selling campaign has disposed of the enormous production of raisins in California by doubling the consumption in the United States, according to a year book issued by the selling agents of the Sunmaid Raisin Growers, of California, and it it? thought that this great increase will effectively deal with the larger crops grown under present plantings in California. The sales for the year amounted to more than '200,000 ton's,' equal to about 4lb. for ever* man, woman and child in that great country. Tho purpose of the selling agency is stated to be: "Widened markets at lowered costs, through the co-operative merchandising of soundly related food by a jointly used staff, responsable solely to the producers, all without sacrifice to the independent existence and control of the organisation behind each product." The introduction last, year of puffed muscats, a seeded raisin that is not sticky, created a deriand , which sold out all muscats of the 1925 crop early this year. DATES. Iligh prices are expected as the latest advices from Basra indicate a crop not n: ch more than half that of last year. It looks as if the total crop of Hallowees will not exceed what should be the normal, requirements of the United States alone, while Suirs and Khadrawee dates will also lo very, short.' Cautious buyers are already picking up attractive parcels of the 1925 crop. JORDAN ALMONDS. Small sizes are specially short, and the market, has taken a decided upward move The crop is reported to be turning out much smaller than anticipated. BARCELONA NUTS. These have taken a much easier turn, but it is difficult to follow the reason, a3 it is not long since it was reported that tho Turkish nut crop was a failure, and that Bercelona were now the only nuts suitable for cracking purposes. CHINESE PEANUTS. Prices for forward shipment have fallen in conformity with the general trend of business. CROCKERY. The extreme* shortage of coal during tho strike in * England has considerably restricted output in the-, potteries, many of which are closed, leaving the staffs idle. Imported coal has been used for some special orders for tho Christmas trade, but tho excessive cost has made tho production of the cheaper white and gold and plain white lines out of the question at present. Practically all lines in earthenware and china in cheaper grades have advanced 10 per cent. Spot stocks are so short, that the increased cost has already, been reflected in reselling prices. POTATOES. Tho market is short, of supplies at tho moment, tho Kurow shipment having been all sold, so that the trade are anxiously awaiting the arrival of shipments due eo.rly next week. .In order to meet immediate requirements a few parcels are changing hands at prices above tho Southern parity and the distributing price is firm at X'7.los ox store. For next week, however, booking is alroady taking place at the. same rate as last Monday £7 ex shir;, and it is expected that the quantity arriving will meet, all requirements. Now that the end of the season is approaching merchants are beginning to moderate their purchases f.0.b., and they do not appear to be much interested in tho frequent references in Canterbury to a further possibility of export to Australia, as they entertain the belief that. t largo stocks in Canterbury are still unsold. The- main varieties of seed potatoes aro moving off. but ample stocks aro held. , ONIONS. Tho market is now depending on stocks much reduced, but tho October bulk quantities will arrive by the Niagara in ten days and relieve any possibility of a shortage. Booking to arrive is taking place at 20s a case, but present deliveries are at, 22s to 2'is for Canadian, with Japanese neglected. Wellington is now well supplied from California and will, not, need to draw on Auckland any more, but a good deal will be required for tho Island steamer next week. OATS. Weak in the South Island and only n very .limited trade is taking place here, at Gs 2d to 5s sd. CHAFF. Prime quality is firm at late rates and heavy booking is taking place in Australian cliatf, to arrive next week. WHEAT. Ample quantities of prime quality fowl wheat have arrived from Adelaide and this is selling at 8s Od to 9s. Canadian has boon bought, to arrive in. November, hut importers have kept their purchases light as tho quality i» low grade. BRAN AND POLLARD. The reduction in the local prico has caught, merchants with stocks of Australian, which will now have to ho sold at a loss. Local bran is selling at A' 9 ]os and merchants are .asking £lO. to £lO 10s for Australian., whilo pollard is about in the same proportion. FLOUR. * sharp reduction has taken place in Australia. but the experience over bran and pollard does not present a . very attractive proposition t<? importers of flour and only moderate quantities are being brought, over. MAIZE. Very heavy arrivals have met a fairly pood- demand and prime samples have realised. up ,to 6s ,?d pn the -wharf in wholesale lines,, but inferior aro difficult to place..