TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20475, 29 January 1930, Page 9

TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

ACTIVE SHOPPING BUSINESS.

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW.

A week of almost perfect weather infused new life into the retail trade. As the schools are to resume next week, children have formed a largo proportion of the number frequenting the shopping area, and their requirements are being carefully selected this week. Every day a few more families return to the city from their long holiday, and they add to the number patronising the shops during the few remaining days before returning to school. The wholesale houses are near the end of their special deliveries booked forward on February account, and are expecting business to revert to normal proportions again, except for receiving and delivering the goods recently discharged from overseas steamers. A large amount of shipping trade is being conducted, both inward and outward, and numerous arrivals have enabled the execution of orders which were awaiting receipt of goods coming to a comparatively bare market. In spite of the large importations in the aggregate, inquiries show that importers have been indenting general merchandise cautiously, and the result is a quick sale of most arrivals. Hardware houses have been putting through a fair amount of business, chiefly in country storekeepers' general hardware. Most of the orders for the season have been supplied in farming requisites for dairying, cropping and harvesting, while it is too soon for fencing.

IRON AND STEEL. Prices are steady, with no indication of any change in Bight. Galvanised iron is reported in an unsatisfactory state, with very poor demand. London advices show the position of manufacturers unfavourable, but the decision of the European Raw Steel Cartel to reduce the steel output may give a little more confidence. TIN. The market has lately touched a lower level than at any time since 19'23, in striking contrast with the position a couple of years ago, when this metal was worth about £ 100 a ton more than it is at present. Apparently the weak position is due very largely to the uncertainty of American trade since the financial collapse, together with the prospect of continued heavy supplies. Before long the low prico may lead to a reduction in the output. EASTERN GOODS. Indenting for the next direct steamer steadily continues, prices being generally favourable, but there have been so many reductions lately that some importers aie inclined to hold off until nearer to the date of sailing in case any further falls take place. Sago and tapioca remain low and Singapore pineapples are exceptionally cheap, whilo rather favourable quotations have induced business in spices and kapok. THE FRUIT SEASON. * Large quantities are now available at low prices, and this is inducing heavy purchases for immediate consumption and also for preserving for the winter. Exceptionally large sales of glass jars are being made, and these are being supplied from the local works, thus avoiding the necessity for making the usual importations, which came principally from Canada and Australia. DRIED FRUITS. A certain demand continues even with fresh fruit so plentiful, and householders are still taking the cooking varieties, largely lor the sake of convenience in using them. Dates remain very cheap this season spite of an occasonal sign of an advance, and Californian raisins are cheaper than expected. some descriptions being quoted lower this week. Rather an unexpected reduction has also taken place m forward quotations for prunes. This cannot be due to the statistical position, for the available stocks are very low in California owing to the poor harvest", and apparently is a reflex of the financial position in America.

almonds.

The market is very weak in Sicily almonds and this has brought down the price of ground, making this a very cheap and popular ingredient for the bakers yCar " "WALNUTS. The sale has fallen off -and distributors will now await with moat interest the firs of the local crop. These are always superior <o the imported, and it is a surprise that far more are not grown. Low quotations are being given for Chinese, but they suitable only for the cheap trade. EGGS. The slight advance mode at tho end of last week has been maintained, and retailersare asking Is 7d for hen eggs and Is 4d for duck eggs. POTATOES RECOVERED. The collapse in the market last week has had tho result that might ha\e been ex nected growers refusing to accept the ruin ous prices ruling. By restricting their digging the smaller supplies have enabled the market to recover, and tho price is fairly steady at 6s 6d ex store, even more bein„ realised at auction for a few choice lines Nominally the country price remains at £5 5s on trucks at Pukelcoho. The Canterbury crops have lmproved ve y rapidly since the abundant rainfall through the province, and the market is a little easier for forward booking. After all the rain it is expected that the warmer weather will bring on the crop perfectly.

ONIONS. The improvement in llie weather was quickly reflected in the condition of the onions arriving on the market. The wholesale prico is about 8s ex store according to quality, but sales are naturally rather limited just now. even though the price, is down, for thousands of households are being supplied from the small lots grown m their own gardens. Owing to the .watery condition of the supplies coming in last week it was deemed unsafe to send new season a local to the Islands, and the orders were supplied in imported' Cahfornian. which about cleaned out the remaining stocks. OATS. Firm at '3s lid, with only limited stocks here, and continued difficulty in obtaining supplies in the South. However, the position will be relieved when the early areas in North Canterbury are harvested, but this will be later than usual this year, on account of tho unfavourable weather early in tiie scasou. NEW CHAFF EXPE cTED.

It is now expected that the first of the new season's chaff will arrive from Blenheim next week, and this is already being booked for prompt delivery from the wharf at £ll. However, a good many consumers prefer to pay a little extra for old chaff, as long as it is obtainable. WHEAT.

Firm at 7a lid ex store for fowl wheat although poultry farmers are protesting at the price being virtually on a level with milling quality.

BRAN AND POLLARD. The Southern mills have advanced their quotations 10s a ton, but the local mills are still on the former rates, so that they aro letting all the trade. Bran is plentiful, but pollard can be supplied only in moderate quantities. SOUTH AFRICAN MAIZE. The scarcity of local maize has caused inquiries to bo mado overseas, and a shipment has been arranged which will leave Durban in about a fortnight, arriving via Australia toward the end of March or early April. This is the small yellow variety usually imported from South Africa, and it is being sold to arrivo at Gs lOd on tho wharf, against local firm at 7s 3d ex store. FERTILISERS. Merchants and millers aro booking heavily for delivery in February and March, and it seemß evident that tho farmers aro again going to use large Quantities for topdressing this season. Most orders for dehveiy from the mills are for super or Isorth African phosphate, and basic slag arriving next month will be tho chief imported lino used. THE LONDON MARKETS. PRICES FOR METALS. (Received January LONDON. Jan. 27. (Quotations on Jan. 23 in parentheses.) Copper.—Spot, £7l lis 3d (£7l lis 3d) ; three months, £6B 3s 9d (£6B. lis 3d). Electrolytic Copper.—Spot, £B3 5s (£B3 ss); three months, £B3 15s (£B3 15s). Wire, Bars.—£B3 15s (£B3 15s). Lead.—Spot, £22 12s 6d (£2l 12s 6d) j three months, £22 12s 6d (£2l 12s 6d). Spelter.—Spot, £l9 17s 6d (£l9 15s); three months, £2O 7s 6(1 (£2O 7s 6d). Tin.—Spot, £174 7s 6d (£172 Is 3d); three months, £177 17s 6d (£175 7s 6d). Silver. —Standard, 20 5-8 d (20 11-16 d) per oz.; fine, (22jjd).