TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 9

TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.'

QUIET BUSINESS CONDITIONS.

' j ;'T .V' r?, i ; ' Jvi! O PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW.

The Wintry weather has been anything but conducive to city trade, while country buyers are continually advising that they want their goods held up until the roads improve. Altogether, therefore, business can be described only as quiet, and tradespeople are waiting for something to turn up which will give it a new .impetus. The farmers are not wholly Respondent about the depressing conditions during the last few weeks, which have - made work almost impossible, for if there is to be a prolonged spell of bad weather they prefer it in June- and July, rather than in August and September. In some seasons it comes during the later months, thereby very seriously hindering production at a critical time, when everything should. be rapidly improving, whereas in the depth of winter nearly all the cows are turned out, and there would not be much doing in any case. Drapers and clothiers are not dissatisfied with the experience of the last month or two, for they have probably done more than if there had been a mild winter, and some of them are quite content with their turnover. Stormy and cold weather has drawn pointed attention to warm apparel, and clothiers have put good busi-. ness through, .A noticeable feature is the increasing patronage given to New Zealand woollens, apparently on account; of their wearing quality, through being, all wool, without the mixtures that weaken many imported fabrics. , BETTER PRICES FOR. WOOL. • .The higher prices obtained at the recent sales in London were- apparently qtiite expected, for a London report last month, .states that although prices of raw material and tops were almost unaffected'during the May series of sales, it was thought in some quarters that values would tend to rise during the period from July t6 September. Bradford manufacturers engaged on fancy worsteds - were doing better, and makers of tweeds were well employed, while an improving trade in dress goods was reported. Notwithstanding ' the unsettled conditions in China, merchants were able 'to put through some business with that country. At Leeds, after several months of depression, the clothing trade has experienced such increased activity that a shortage, of skilled.labour _wa§ encountered, and it was only _ with difficulty that de- , liveries were being r completed. In the heavy woollen district, while not all firms were running full time, several ■ were well occupied, and unemployment figures also showed improvement in Oewsbury and fiatley. RECOVERY IN COTTON. ■ The floods in the Mississippi Valley have caused a distinct advance in the price of American cotton, and a still more pronounced recovery in Egyptian cotton. It is estimated that the flooded about 3,800,000 acres, and that this produced 2.000,000 bales of cotton last year, out of the total output of about 18,000.000 bales. Strange to say, the opposite extreme in Western Texas has had a similar effect on the market, for .a drought has been experienced, and this will probably reduce the yield of cotton. RISE IN LEATHER. An advance in the price of hides,in New Zealand is not surprising, having regard to the. reduced output of beef for export,, but a similar move has taken place on the Other side of the world.. In London 'it is stated that the leather market has registered some improvemnt, consquent on the higher price of hides. Light-weight sole bends have Deen moving off well, but the denumd for i medium and heavy-weights remained Weak. Greater activity was evident m .upper leathers, black glaces and patents again proving .popular. Trade in boots- find shoes has been unevenly distributed among British manufacturers, some firms havißg to ;re» sort to overtime ,to cope with the requirements of ' their customers, while" others,- are not working to full capacity. The general outlook, however, appears to be ; fairly bright for the immediate future. ■ ' ■ . IRON - AND ' STEEL. V' s /'. It is stated in London that a substantial cheapening of coke', brought ■ about a fall in pig-iron and ' although this was not followed byi any marked increase* m ordere. it is thought that an. all-round revival of buying on a good scale cannot :iiow be long delayed. Conditions generally in these industries have been unsatisfactory/ asd-dis-couraging, although here and therp a slight improvement has been recorded. tOrders have riot been forthcoming on anything like an adequate scale to ensure continuity or activity, buyers being apparently distrustful ' as to the future course of prices. It .■ is disconcertiong to learn that several blast furnaces were put out of commission during May. In hematite pig-iron slightly, better conditions have prevailed, and some .tor' ward contracts were secured. At certain of the works activity was' well maintained, and the whole of the output was absolved, local requirements and those of the - Midlands and Scotland being substantial. Prices in finished iron and steel have been inclined to follow the weakness in the raw material, and business has been dull, largly ur.der the influence of keen Continental competition Rolling stock builders absorbed fair quantities of material in the execution of orders in hand, while a good demand has been coming m for constructional steel and shipyard materials.

CALIFORNIAN DRIED FRUITS. The latest news from San Frs.ncisco confirms the impression that nothing is attracting more attention in that fi'Uit market than the -recent combination of prune growers and packers* brought about with the object of • clearing heavy stocks . and maintaining active sales each season. ■ It is stated that at'last'all the possible angles that anyone can suggest as being , necessary to take into account have been "adjusted to the satisfaction of all ; concernetj. The spot prune market is now steady ifi California: In 'Oregon' the 1926 prop is almost a thing of the past,, some of the most important operators being sold right out. Imported apples, are doing better,, as the remaining supply is getting short, and futures in this line are looked upon as firm, in view of the much smaller apple crop this'year throughout the country than last. In apricots .the -only -business booked in futures has been for export. Figs are going to be a difficult item this year, on account of the discussion over Quality standarda. and also 1 over the,'worm damage which the Federal Department of' Agriculture -Was been investigating. . Until these points are more definitely settled, packers will not bo able to make much headway,. Raisins are firm and unchanged. The dam ago that fruits and vegetables sustained during the unfavourable Californian spring is expectod to induce more competition for these products. As compared with the enormous crop of apples • last year, and a good yield in nearly all other varieties, ■ the crops this year are moderate to . small,. AMERICAN CANNED GOODS. The lower prices ruling lately in California have brought about a heavy domestic demand in fruit lines, but the preferential tariff and low quotations for Australian fruits have enabled the. latter to retain most of the trade. Vegetables, however, will again be of some interest, especially asparagus, of which the season's packing was nearly over when the mail left. Prices are steady, as the pack will be just a l.ttle under taat of last year. Tomatoes seem likely to bo obtainable ' lit. about last season's rates, in spite of a fairly poor season. All Californian quotations seem to be influenced by tho expectation that the late season this year will give an average of about a month extra to clear up tlie heavy crop of last year. The latest statistical return to prove the lateness of this season shows that tip to a given date only G26 car ioads of fresh fruit had been sent away from California,' whereas up to the -same date last year 2405 car loads had been despatched. Prunes contributed only 141 car loads , of, the quantity, against 1338 last year, and this no doubt helps to inspire confidence in being able to clear up the last season's prunes before the new fruit is ready.STARCH. -, - , ;■ i The New Zealand inanufacutrers announce a reduction of £6 a ton in their various brands, packed in 111) and ftlb. packets. SENSITIVE EGG MARKET. Eggs seem to be on the verge of making' a move, for although the local quotations remain at 2s 4d wholesale and 2s Gd retail, it seems to be genorally admitted that any increase in the supply will at opce bring a fall in the price. This increase is quite due, and in most, seasons it takes, place much earlier than during the ■ last week in July, but the unfavourable weather, has probably been the chief factor in delay-' •ing • production, and as the. same coiiditions experienced elsewhere'there has been a good demand for any surplus available in Auckland. Tt is hot yet known- if there will be many -tor export during the coming spring, for high- price of feed did ;not encourage fanners to increase their; flocks last season, bu* if there is a large enough supply to bring down the price, there will be every opportunity :to export' on somewhat similar tenhs to those operating last year. . ! . ' ONIONS. Locally grown were such a heavy crop that they have lasted longer than usual, and the best are now quoted at Bs. With the supply nearly exhausted, however, Australian have been imported in larger Quantity by the Kartigi, and these are selling, at 12s.

There arc not many on the local market at present, tod as the, rtext shipments Will not .be here till Friday, when the Wingatui and Waipiata are timed to arrivej all immediate stocks should be readily cleared. Price is steady at. £1 15s ex store, and "this is nibout on a parity with replacement coat, although - the 'Southern market has been moving up arid down a-good deal lately. The; Kartig; has landed a .shipment of .Australian potatoes, and these are . Belling at the. same "price. • > ,2LT, * ! OATS AND CHAFE. ' Both are dull of sale, the 'city demand tending'to fall off a little :ni6re< each * year, and the new regulations regarding horsedrawn vehicles ■ in ' Queen • Street wjll probably further restrict their use, and consequently the demand for fodder for ;the city stables. Country demand is also quiet this year, for most districts saved sefcough hay svnd oats for 'local requirements, and any business passing is being done fthrdugh the farmers. City prices are fairly firm at 43 2d for B grade oats and' 9s 6d ,for best Southern chaff, eacli in small, lines es store. : ■ r . WHEAT. , . Another sharp rise "has taken place "in the South Island in fowl wheat, and 'the local price is now firm at 8s on the 'wharf or ,Bs-3d ox store. In view of the price' at which Australian can be' landed, it is hardly ' likely • that the price can advance more than another penny or two. In' the meantime ■the high p,-ice is turning 90mo of the demand to clipped oats and barley, which _can.be bought at 4s-3d and 5s 9d. respectively. maize.- . Plenty of good quality maize is now arriving from Gisborne. and this is realising 6s on the wharf in wholesale lines, agents being able to sell at that price by _ taking' advantage of any low freights offering up the coast. Some buyers must have maize which will Btand crushing, and they are still paying 7s 9d ex store for any old grain they can get. but coastal maize will soon be in suitable' condition for all purposes. FERTILISERS. Large quantities are still being booked, but buyers are delaying delivery until the roads improve. > 1 DAIRY- PRODUCE PRICES. RISE OF 2s FOR CH^E&E. ! LONDON MARKET ADVICES.

Messrs.. Joseph Nathan and Company received cabled advics yesterday from Messrs. Trengrouse and Nathan, London, stating that 'New Zealand cheese was quoted at 92s on ft firm market. This is an increase-of 2s ,on quotations received on Friday,, the price then being 88s to 90s. *\ • \ The same cable advises that butter is quoted at 1565. to 158s. The market is quiet. ' TRADE' AGENTS IN DOMINIONS. •i-\. 1 57 . ■ DISCUSSION IN THE' COMMONS. . \* » * ! '• ' 1 • r. i t-. S

A. and N.Z.-Sun. I"LONDpN.-July 25. In the Ho.use of Commons, during the debate on -the Board oi Trade vote, Sir Robert 1 Horne,' a' former ' Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer,, said-that but for .Britain's Dominion and. colonial trade, her existing" - economic ' position, would be infinitely worse that •it was. The balance of .trade was worse than it had been at any previous timei' Mr. Lloyd George urged the necessity for British merchants to have good agents in the Dominions. Britain lost heavily in regard to the sale of motor-cars, because during the war the best agents were secured by American manufacturers. The' President <of the, Board of' Trade, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Listef, said "British manufacturers -• must hunt out ; buydrs. If firms could not afford to-have,-their individual. selling agents. abroad, they should combine and-form-a British selling agency. Combination ; for representation»abroad must- be good, for lousiness. market ' reports. : ' .'i J: 1 v.! ; ,i v i s*i • FRUIT AND .PRODUCE PRICES. Thfere -fcas'a steady.iEvetdgs. demand for fruit at. the. : -Aucklajid ;City yesterday, with.liitle variation on last.week's prices. " 'The Improved 'weather was responsible <f6r readier selling in mest lines than,- at Friday's, :&ale. ; ■Good-,cooking-; apples : .sold s well, but the demand for was drtly fair. Good' Sturmets r met" with a' fair- demand, selling! at <&' to 10b a ' casft. / The-,-s}lig'htly-revi v^d/demand dessert gears receded again, Coles going .back lemons sold- fairly ; well, bringing up to 14s d case.* 'The keen'dfemand for, Island oranges! was. well maintained. )■■ A fresh shipment, of ,citrus; fi;uit froni . Sydney is expected next.week ? arid,should do something to.cope.'witjv'ihJ consistently good demand -for 1 these linel'

Average supplies' mot with a fair demand ,in the field, produce., market. Ivumaras declined slightly, but jthe prices of most lines' were well' maintained. The market continues fo bo much 'overs-ap-plied 'with .inferior ' onions. Pumpkins showed a .slight improvement. The increase in supplies of eggs is ,nt>w slowing down, moderate supplies appearing at yesterday's dairy produce sales. The demand also was moderate, both hen and duck eggs showing a slight decrease in price. Moderate supplies of farmers' butter were well received, selling at an advance of Jtd. ■ . r -Following 'was the range of .prices :

r " ' FRUIT." •• " •' Apples. 'Delicious, "7s V6d to l(fs ■.'6 d"a case- ; Stunners, 9s. to .10a; .Monroes, Ss fid to 9s; Rome Beautys, 8s to 8s 6d: ■ Washingrtohs, 8s to >9a;' Cleopritras,-> 7b to Bs -0d; Doughertys. 4s Gd .to 7s fid; . Ballarats, Ss Od to 95. 1 Pears,' : Nelist 9s to 10s 6d 'a ease. Coles,- fls . to- !0?;< Xicats,' 6s. to. 6s 6d: Keifferp, bad oj;der. ss'to 6s, Tomatoes, hothouse,. 3d " to Is 3d ".per 1b.,; Island. 6s to 9s a ease: tree tomatoes, 4s to. 6s 6d. Lemons, local, 6s to 14 s a case. Grapes, hothouse, Is to 3s pep IB.< Sydney, 14s. to 21s a. case,, Oranges, "Island, 21s a case Sydney ' navels. IBs" tolfis 6d; Norfolk- Island. 12s to 14sr; .Sydney mandarins, ex cooler, 15s to. ,18s. Guayas, 6s to 7s a'case. • a sack. Bananas, .repacks, . ,18? to2-ls , a. .case. • FIELD PRODUCE. Potatoes, Southern, ,7s to 7s 6d .per; cwt.: new, s\d per lb . Kumaras, Island, -is to 9s a case; Tanrahga, 8s to 'lob ' per cwt. Pumpkins, ordinary,. 4s to, 5s per cwt.; Crown and Triutn'bie, 6s 6d-to SsK Swedes, Is 6d to 2s -2d, a-bag. Onions, .good, 2s 6d to 2s 9d a bag; inferior,-' Is to 2s. Cabbage, 7s <9 8s a sack: ■on benches. Is. 6d to 3s a dozen. Cauliflower,, 5s to 7s fid a sack'; on benches, 3s to 63 -fid'. Let-, tuce. Is. to -ss, a case. Rhubarb, 4s -to 5s 3d 'a dozen bundles. Spiniicli. 9d. to Is 3d n dozen- bundles. Leeks,- 2d' to, 4d a; bundle. Soring, onions, fid to. la a dozen bundles." Marrows 1 , Is Gd to 2s a-dor.en. Carrots,, .parsnips, beet and- turnips, 6d to IS 'a dozen bundles. . Cucumbers, hothouse,! 4s to 6s a dozen. Radish, 6d to 9d a dozen bundles. Beans, hothouse. 2s 2d per lb.' Pickling onions, 3?, d per lb. Celery, 3s' to 4s a bundle: others. Is to 2s. " DAIRY PRODUCE. HOll eggs, 2s 2d to 2s 3d a dozen; dxtck efrgs, 2s to 2s Id. Farmers' butter Is 21d to Is 4d. CANTERBURY MARKETS. MOVEMENT OF POTATOES. , fflY ' TELEGKArH.—rKESS ASSOCIATION.] CHBISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Potatoes iwore in slightly better "demand over the week-end. A few. July sales took place at £4 15s a ton, a. .2s ,6d advance, but. to-dav the market .is, back to the preceding week's level "of £4 12s 6d. Forward- sellers ? commented *' operating when. the finning developed, and not .much pt this -was needed ,to ease the market. August-Septembers are quoted at £5 a ton, f.0.b., s. i." Values 011 trucks are about £3 10s, ' A* hujer of Dakotas.had some difficulty in, filling his needs with this variety," and paid up to £5 17s 6d a ton, f.0.b., s.i. The Winga- : tui, which leavfes ' t'o-morrow from "Lytteltoir, is expected to take between: --. 7000 and 8000 sacks* thjs -vessel being. Jthe last this .month. The. has sailed for Timaru direct witK 4135 sacks.' Oats are :vei-y dull,t AugusfcSeptfember A grade Gartens.-having beep .fold-,at 3s -3d to 3b and B f s,at 35,. f.0.b.,. s.i. .Chaff is also easier; there b<?ihj£ fair •quantities offering. At 'present frbm £3 10s to £3 13s 6d -is the on truck quotation. , ' . ■ - - Wheat is very firm, .and thera seems to be little about.. Fowl wheat/ has been sold at 6s 6d, f.0.b., for August-Sep-tember. . _ ' '■ There is no move in the seed market.