TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20465, 17 January 1930, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. —T~z/ SUMMER DRAPERY. SALES.

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW

> A dramatic change has come over v the retail trade this week owing to the announcement by several drapery and cldthing Rouses that they are commencing their annual summer clearance, sales,/ As the summer seems hardly to have come in yet, it is expected that the sales.'will be very popular, for it is only to be anti-cipated.-that buyers will still have a'long summer period in which to; utilise the purchases now. obtainable at lower prices. Similar reductions are already marked in a few other departments, so that ,;there will be a.- full fortnight ;in which to' choose children's requirements before the schools reopen. The wholesale houses are busier now, as larger orders are coming in for do-, livery next week on February account. City orders arc mostly held up for the' present, but country buyers are giving good lists, anticipating active business right through the autumn. Produce returns seem to justify this, for a larger dairy output will go a long way toward compensating for prices being lower than last year, and very much higher prices for pigs will go against the fall in lambs. Altogether the'total earnings for the season seem likely to be high. EGGS. The season has made a great difference in eggs, for the falling off in the supply of duck eggs, which the dry weather in January usually bring 3 about, lias not occurred. Consequently duck eggs i-.re in plentiful supply, and are being pushed off at the low price of Is 2d retail. On the other hand, hen egga still command Is Gd. Grocera in Auckland remark on the great difficulty in selling duck eggs, although they are 25 to 30 per cent, larger than hen eggs, whereas in the South Island theio is not usually the samo difference in price. LOCAL FRUIT. The public is paying marked attention to the increasing supplies of fresh fruit and ia making heavy purchases, both for present use and for preserving. Sales of jareb indicate that large quantities will be put down by householders this season, and the main varieties that are most popular ? for preserving ato not • yet.-coming' in. ' The local works are turning out large quantities of the necessary jars, and a Jew fiVm» have also imported. moderate quantities of special makes, for which repeat orders are expected. Prices are a shade lower than last year. CANNED FRUITS. 'Most kinds of imported are neglected owing to the low prices for the large quantities of fresh fruits now; obtainable. Pineapples aro an exception, as they sell all through the summer, and this year the Singapore canning is very cheap; It is expected that a small lot of the new seasou's Fiji canning will be here next week. As the price is not very much above that of Singapore, considering the size of the tins, buyers have not hesitated to contract for larger quantities than they took' last; year, when all that were obtainable sold readily. ■ DRIED FRUITS. Most unseasonable ■ weather is causing the demand for dried fruits to keep up longer than usual, as hot courses are not at all out of place in fluch weather as there has been lately. The chief ' demand has been for raisins, datss ana figs, currants being neglected. Dried apples have kept on selling longer than might have been expected, but this is attributed to convenience in handling and cooking. Local stocks were very low until the arrival, of a 6mall parcel of Canadian, and they are selling well in of their somewhat high prico CANNED FISH. Convenience dicing holiday time is given as the reason ,for good sales in salmon, herrings and Bardines, but sales of mullet have been disappointing. • Norwegian sardines are dearer, and a few brands of salmon are in short supply. White salt herrings are in demand, but stocks are very low until the new catch arrives. EASTERN . GOODS. - ~A'Sago and tapioca are quoted at lower rates, but most buyers are well supplied. Pepper is dearer again after a distinct weakening in quotations since the new crop was available. The quotations have been very puzzling lately, for the indications earlier in the season were 'in favour of a steady fall. Nutmegs and ginger are dearer. ALMONDS CHEAPER. Lower quotations in Jordan and Sicily almonds are announced, and r ground almonds have followed the downward trend. CORNFLOUR SELLING. A good demand is reported in cornflour, with every expectation of a keener inquiry when warmer weather' sets in. Grocers report that this is a most peculiar season, the extraordinary weather and temperature causing sales to run on lines different from (he usual, and apparently it will now take a few days of really fine weather to convince the public that it is actually summer. POTATOES. , Abundant supplies are coming in in spite of all the broken weather, growers apparently hurrying on their digging to avoid loss from blight. So far the quality has kept up very well, considering the unfavourable weather, so that, buyers are taking good quantities. The price is based on £5 5s on trucks at Pukckohe. enabling city merchants to sell at 6s 9d to 7s, ex store. The Pukekohe district-is not now supplying such a large proportion of the city's requirements as in former years', owing to the good crops grown nearer at hand. Large quantities have come in lately from Avondale. Mangere, Papatoetoc and Panmnre. forcing Pukekohe to find an outlet in otljer centres. - - • Recent reports indicate a changed position in the South.lsland since the rain came. A good crop is now expected in Canterbury, so that lovtf! prices seent likely to rule throughout the year. ( ONIONS. J New local are selling at ,9s ex store, but quality is unsatisfactory. This is a natural result of the -"incessant rain, as the crop cannot mature properly until fine weather comes. Consequently .-buyers are taking sufficient only for immediate tpe, but the condition would soon change' if the weather" cleared up. " * '* ■ - 1 OATS. The market is very firm at 4s lid ex store for B grade, and it looks as if even this price will have to be advanced before tho new grain is available, as it is'very "difficult to get shippers to quote at present. It is expected that local merchants will ask 5s for the nest shipment to arrive, and the future depends on whether it will he sufficiently fino to secure the new harvest. CHAFF. Arriving from the South in small lots, nnd selling at £ll 10s firm. New will bo later this year, and this is making shippers hold firm for the moderate stocks of old season's still left. ' WHEAT. Fowl wheat is in good demand, as many farmers prefer to discontinue the use of maize during the summer.- Prima is firm at 7s lid ex store, and tho high prico has turned some of the demand to under-grade, which has been selling at, about sixpence less. However, the pfice of under-grade is now within twopence of prime quality. BRAN AND POLLARD. No reduction has followed tho removal of the duty, and it is not expected that this move will have any immediate effect. Apparently its principal value will be to assure that there will be no shortage of supplies next winter, but at present the local mills can easily cope with all the demand. MAIZE. 4) Firm at 7s 3d ex store. Only moderate quantities are obtainable from Gisborno at full rates, and the Bay of Plenty is not quoting at present. Gisborne shippers are inclined to fisk more, so that another rise locally is expected. SEEDS AND FERTILISERS. The usual autumn demand for grass seed will commence soon, and merchants are making their preparation to supply. £ fertiliser orders booked for forward delivery aro now beginning to go out from the mills, and a heavy trade will soon be m progress for large quantities have been booked for the autumn topdressing. Basic slag will also be arriving-about the end ot the month, and this is selling for prrftnpt delivery. . i .

MELBOURNE HIDES SALES. (Received January 16. 10.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE. Jan. 16. At the Melbourne hides sale to-day offerings, excepting heavy kips, were on a par with previous values.