TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 9

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. Retail trade has improved considerably during the past few days, owing to the winter sales including almost all departments. Tho weather during tho long day last Friday was most disappointing to tlioso who had intended to take tho earliest possible opportunity to inspect tho half-yearly reductions, but conditions have been much more favourable this week, and buyers havo been attending the sales in large numbers. Tho cold and boisterous weather has attracted all tho more attention to heavier garments and clothiers report better sales this week, including woollen overcoats. In all garments there seems to be a steady increase in the proportion of locally-manufactured cloth called for," but naturally the limited selling area of tho New Zealand mills does not yot make it easy for them to offer the great variety in styles and patterns that the English and Scottish mills can design. In rugs and blankets, where a wido range in pattern is not so essential, tho New Zealand mills havo a great trado and these have been selling well lately. Prices favour tho buyers, although this season's fall in wool is not yet fully reflected in the prices for cloth and garments.

The wholesale houses report a busy week for this time of tho year, owing to the forward orders on next month's account having to be delivered. However, these do not show tho usual volume in the winter months and merchants are always prepared to find a slacker inquiry until the resumption of more active farming operations in tho spring. An exception is in the hardware trade. The winter has brought a noticeable increase in orders for building materials and other farm requisites, due to tho farmers making their improvements and renewals while dairying is slack. Provision, houses have been putting through the usual business, the most striking alterations in prices for the week being a reduction of a penny in butter and the usual seasonal fall in eggs. When eggs are a little lower it is expected that bacon will move oS more rapidly. All the usual winter foods are in keener demand. PEAS. These are cheaper this year, following a good crop, and grocers report heavier sales in tinned, as well as dried. Split peas are selling well at the lower prices now current and whole marrowfat are proving popular in bulk and packets. BEANS.. Haricot beans are in good supply since the arrival of the direct steamer from tho Eaßt early in the winter. They are a little dearer than last year, but are still a very cheap line compared with Limas, imported from Madagascar, so the latter are meeting only a limited demand. The latest quotations show a slight reduction overseas.

SOUPS. Prepared soups aro proving more popular every winter and some attractive varieties are now obtainable in tins and packets. The latter are soiling in imported and local brands. Prices are about as usual, except for a slight increase in tomato. DRIED FRUITS. A Bteady increase is reported in the demand. South African apricots arrived in good timo for the winter trade and prices are reasonable this year. Currants and raisins are selling much better, chiefly in Australian fruit, but some nice lines in Californian aro offering at low rates. PRUNES. The sharp fall in recent Californian quotations to hand must be taken as an indication of a good crop in sight in that State and possibly in Europe also. Very firm Quotations at a far higher level were formerly coming through and most _ importers bought on these for thoir winter and spring trado. Tho production in Europe is not so well defined as in tlie United States, where the output of dried prunes often exceeds 200,000 tons, for most countries in Europe consume the bulk of their crops. NUTS AND ALMONDS. Bordeaux walnut halves are considerably lower since tho beginning of tho year. Occasionally a slight recovery takes place, but they still remain at a very favourable level for consumers. New Zealand walnuts are cheaper this year and there will be no difficulty in moving of! the whole crop, although imported are obtainable much cheaper. Most varieties in almonds are cheaper. CANNED FRUITS. Tho usual winter demand is now coming in, but it is not so pronounced this year, doubtless owing to many households having good stocks of their own preserving to last them for part of the winter. Singapore pineapples are at an exceptionally low price and this enables them to command a large proportion of tho trado in imported lines. EASTERN GOODS. Most quotations show an easier tendency, notably in sago, tapioca, pepper and desiccated cocoanut. Tea is an exception, supenor kinds being a little higher at the Colombo auctions this week, although common were weak at irregular prices. POTATOES. Tho market is fairly steady_ at £7 to £7 ss, but tho recent firmness in tho South has hardly been maintained. Ample stocks are held here, mostly of good quality, and further shipments aro due next week. Demand is now very Heavy, as there are very few local growers who have any of their own at this time of tho year. Seed potatoes aro selling quietly, chiefly in small lots of tho early variety. Merchants are beginning to stock the main varieties now, having imported a selection from Canterbury. ONIONS. Southern are soiling at 8s 6d and tho same prico is asked for any local in prime order, but most samples aro only of fair quality. Next week tho main consignment of Australian will bo here and it is expected that they will then command tho bulk of tho trade • as they will sell at 10s to 10s 6d. Limited orders have gone forward for Californian aud Canadian onions and these are boing booked for arrival in September, October and November. .

OATS. Weaker in the South by u penny and local morchants aro now ablo to soli B grado at 4a 9d in small lines ex store. CHAFF. Slow of sale, with no alteration in tho price of best Southern at £lO 10s ex store. WHEAT. Fowl wheat is firm, with an imminent rise of a penny for July shipment. In the meantime local merchants are asking 7s 10(1 ex storo, but tho demand is not very heavy. BRAN AND POLLARD. No great demand for bran is coming in and local millings can meet all requirements. In pollard, howover, farmers are using larger quantities for pigs and rogular shipments aro being imported from Australia. MAIZE. Another shipment of South African mai?.o will be hero on Monday and most of this is alroady booked to arrive at Cs 4d to Cs 6d, ao it will go into immediate distribution. This will probably lust three or four weeks, by which time Bay of Plenty maize should bo sufficiently matured to store for general trade. Further quotations have come to hand from South Africa at rather an attractive price, but tho buying price in the Bay of Plenty has now settled down at ss, with another penny or two for August and September delivory, and this 80orn8 low onough to prevent any more orders going abroad. FERTILISERS. After a fow weeks of comparative quietness more orders are now coming in for July delivery. The principal call is for super for top-dressing. THE PRICE OF GOLD. LONDON, June 25. Gold is quoted at 84s lljd por oa.