TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. WINTER CLEARANCE SALES. PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. New life has been put into tho retail trade this week by the initiation of the annual winter clearance sales. Several houses have commenced already and others have decided to timo their opening for tho lofig day to-day, when an extra large number of buyers may bo expected in the city. It is anticipated that by this timo next week tho whole series will bo in full swing, all departments following tho lead of tho drapery houses. Prices are very attractive this year, and the further reductions during the clearance sales will be an attraction that will draw buyers from tho suburbs and tho outsid* districts, in addition to tho city. The wholesalo houses have been bonier every day, expediting their preparations for tho delivery of goods on next month's account. Further advices, however, con firm tho report given earlier in tho week, that this will not bo a very heavy "25th," as it is commonly called, tho general ten dency being to curtail buying during the winter, and to depend on tho stocks held by the wholesale houses, which can bo drawn upon at frequent intervals. Prices are making a world-wide movement down ward, enabling cheaper importations to compensate somewhat for lower prices re ceivcd for New Zealand products. EASTERN GOODS. Tho fall in prices ie particularly noticeable in Eastern produce. A private cablegram received this week shows that prices havo been reduced almost all round. Sago ia quoted twopence lower in Singapore, tapioca fourpenco lower, and fair quality canned pineapples are down unother halfpenny. Most grades are down proportion ately, but fair quality sliced holds at lato quotations. Pepper recovered a littlo laßt week, but i 3 down again now, making it exceptionally cheap, and desiccated coconut ia down Is Gd per owl. Kapok is unchanged, but it is a littlo too soon to attract attention. TEA. At tho salea held in Colombo on Tuesday 2,750,0001b. wero offered, and tho quality was very fair, much above tho average for this time of the year. There was a strong demand for all grades except the commonest, for which, however, the prices remained steady. Low mediums advanced by three to five cents, and a sharp rise of from eight to ten conts took place in fair quality tea. No really fino teas were offering. Next week nearly 3,0U0,0001b. will bo offered. DRIED FRUITS. Having regard to the demand haying fallen off during recent years feir all kinds of the old-fashioned stone raisins, it is noticeable that in tho last few weeks a good trado has been booked in Australian Lexias. Tho price is about a penny under that of sultanas, aiid the fruit is a particularly bright sample In its general characteristics the fruit is very much like Elomeß and Valencias, which used to bo imported to the extent of thousands of boxes. Australian sultanas are selling very well, their quality making the importation of Smyrna fruit very small. Californian seedless raisins are sufficiently cheap to command a very hoavy sale, particularly with tho bakers. The bakers have to pay a little moro just now for French cherries, but they are still well below last year's cost. SOUTH AFRICAN FRUITS. Dried and canned apricots are to hand, the price and the preferential tariff giving them a virtual command of the market, ex cept in tho caso of a few favourite brands from xVustralia and California. Dried 'peaches have abo arrived, but canned are being drawn from Australia in large quantities. Very low quotations aro to hand from California, and these have led to business, particularly in tho small sizes. FRUIT JARS. , Tho local manufacturers have issued their quotations for tho season's requirements for spread delivery up to November. Prices are about equal to those of last year, and it is anticipated that tho favourable price and the convenience in delivery will result in very few being imported for the coming season, except a few parcels of special makes that are fancied by a limited circle of buyers. CANNED FRUITS. Grocers roport a very limited sale so far. Canned pineapples aro an exception, as they aro meeting a steady demand every mouth. EASTERN FRUITS. Dales are very cheap this year, and this has induced an extra heavy demand, especially for the Khadrawi loose pack. Buyers aro now showing greater discrimination in selecting the superior quality. Figs are also in demand, tho cheap price attracting attention to the economy in this fruit for, cooking. This year a large proportion of the fruit very quickly lost its bloom, owing to tho bad weather when it was gathered and dried, and although not now attractive for dessert it is selling well for culinary purposes at tho reduction that has been forced by its appearanco. TOMATO SAUCE. Selling well at the advance already noted, due to tho poor crop this year. POTATOES. Tho price haß hardened ft little, both here, where stocks havo worked down, and in the South, where growers aro no longer prepared to accept the low rates offering. They seem prepared to pit the rest of their crop and take the chance of the market improving later in the winter. Local merchants are now asking £7 5s ex store, which is on a parity with Canterbury shipping quotations. ONIONS. While poor conditioned remain difficult to sell, good quality are scarce and firm. This has led to tho importation of fair quantities from Canterbury, and as the best of theso aro quite equal to tho best from Pukekohe, while somo samples are superior. thSy aro meeting a ready salo at 8s fid. will bo imported for about a fortnight, to help out the local supplies, after which Australian will bo hero. Australian arc now booking to arrive at 10s Gd. ' OATS. Tho market is about a penny weaker in tho South for somo reason that is not yet clear, and if this continues tho arrivals next month will probably sell at a corresponding reduction hero. Meantime local merchants aro asking 4n lOd for B grado in small parcels, and 5s for A, but the demand is not heavy, CHAFF. This has eased in tho South, doubtless pwing to tho small demand occasioned by importations, but there is not much of any kind selling iust now. * Tho price for Southern is unchanged at £lO 10s ex store The usual reduction is quoted for Australian, 10s less if in New Zealand sacks, and £oa less in Australian packages. MAIZE. Slocks aro low, but a good demand continues, principally in imported at Gs 9d ex store. Another shipment is due from South Africa about tho end of next week; and this is selling in fairly substantial parcels at Gs Gd to arrive. Bay of Plenty growers nro realising 5s 3d on trucks for their new graiu. FERTILISERS. A littlo is selling, farmers taking tho opportunity to do some more top-dressing to iiuprovo their pastures for tho spring. AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. (Received Juno 19, 9.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Juno 19. Tho - following aro to-day's quotations on tho Sydney produce market:— Wheat.—Market weak. Nominal quotations: Bulked, 4s sA<l; bagged, 4s 4Ad. Flour.—£lo 15s. Pollard. —£8. Bran. —£8. Potatoes.—£B 10s to £lO. Onions.—Victorian, £7. Oals.—White, 4s 3d; .Algerian, 4s Cd. Maize.—ss Gd. Adelaide prices are Wheat.—4s Id. Flour.—£lo ss. Pollard.—£7 17s Gd. Bran. —£7 10s. Oats.—2s 8d to 2s lOd. • DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., has received tho following cablegram from its London house, tinder date Juno 18:—Butter• Choicest, salted. 134s to 1365. Chceso: White, 70s to 80s; coloured, 85s, Market firm.