TRADE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20605, 2 July 1930, Page 7

TRADE OF AUCKLAND.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. GOOD BUSINESS IN CITY. PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. Retail business has commenced the week on an active acalo, following a good turnover during the long day last Friday. The special inducement is the attraction of the winter clearance sales and business houses aro counting this week on the extra spending that comes at the end of tha month.

Tho winter drapery sales aro in full swing, practically all houses participating Business is very steady, and there is no doubt that very good buying opportunities aro being presented. Tho lateness of the season is partly responsible for this, together with the usual policy adopted by most firms in clearing all seasonable stocks.

Hardware houses are doing a very fair amount of business, except, in building materials for the city and suburbs. Orders now coming in indicate that a good many improvements aro being effected in farming districts. COPPER. Tho sharp tail Iras come about, in suite of unprecedented otforin to hold uu the prire. Attempts to restrict the outnut with this object in view have been met by a larse production, well in excess uf reuuirements. Sales in the Lniied Slates have been very considerable, as large quantities have been required for motor construction, and also for telegraph extensions, but other countries- havo curtailed their requirements. The lower price has been helpins tho sterling exchange. on account ot the United States being tho principal seller to the rest of iho world. TIN. This metal has also had a sensational lapse during tho last few weeks, being now worth less than half its value about two years ago, after gradually falling durina tne interval It was expected that the curtailment of output might hold up the price, but now tho only likelihood of a recovery depends on mines being forced to stop, on account of prices being definitely unprofitable. LEAD. The market is now exceptionally dull, after a long period in which accumulations were not pulling down the market to the orient that might have been expected. Buyers linvo been most reluctant to accept any large contracts lately, while producers aro ahead of time in their deliveries. PAINT OILS. While white lead is inclined to follow downward the move in the raw material, iinseed oil is a little dearer on tho latest quotations. EASTERN GOODS. Castor oil has given way a little, and a further reduction is apparent in several Singapore quotations. Sago and _ tapioca have made another unexpected fall. although tho change is not material except as ,t suggestion that the price has not yettouched bottom. " Spices are much in the .same position, further reductions being noted m pepper and mace, while nutmecs aro now very cheap. Preserved ginger is a little firmer. Desiccated cocoanut has been fluctuating a.ureat deal, but, the latest Quotation is down to a very low level. TOMATO SAUCE. Selling well at the advanced quotations, ar.d a f-liortage seems likely before next season's pack is ready. CANNED MEATS. Prices have been moved about by various packers, but the chiei Eeiling linci at present--is sheep tongues, and these aro definitely on a lower level. POTATOES. Ample stocks keep tho price fairly steady at .4:7, ana us the Katoa is landing another 5000 sacks tiiis week there will be plenty to meet tho extra demand at this time of the year Tho quality is good in most samples, so distributors do not hesitate to stock ,i good quantity. Seed potatoes are beginning to sell more readily, especially for those districts, where tha„ fishier, soil become? fit for ploughing after ti day or two of fine weather. The ..early., constitute iho main business now parsing, but merchants' have imported supplies of moat of the main varieties from Canterbury during the last week or two, and these are meeting a small inquiry. ONIONS. Local and southern are selling readily at 9s, but the Karris;! should bo here on Thursday with the first largo importation from Melbourne, and theso are booking to arrive at 10a (id. If the quality comes up to expectations, the Australian onions should meet the local trade until the first shipments oi new seaecin'3 ere here from the Northern Hemisphere. Smail quantities have already been ordered from Canada and California, to arrive from September to November. The low price :3 causing a heavy consumptive demand. OATS. The very small demand this year has at hast brought down the price in the South, snd local merchants aro now able to sc-il B grade in small parcels at -Is Ud ex store. CHAFF. Demand is very quiet, and an easier tone has developed in the South in consequence. However, merchants are not inclined to stock southern very heavily at present, as the Kartigi should be landing a shipment of Tasmanian on Thursday, and this is booking to arrive at ±'9 10s on the wtiarf. WHEAT. Fowl wheat ia very firm at an advar.co of a penny, and the wheat pool is trying to establish an advance of threepence for July to September delivery. Local price is firm at 7s lOd ex store in smail parcels, but the high price is turning an increasing proportion of tho trade to maize, as tho latter grain can be used more freely for poultry during the winter and good supplies aro now assured. BRAN AND POLLARD. Both aro now in good supply, as a result of regular quantities of pollard being imported from Australia, to meet the heavy demand for pigs and poultry. Local mills are meeting all calls for bran. MAIZE. Now that the new grain is beginning to arrivo in better condition, in addition to importations from Java and South Africa, it turns out that, there aro* still fairly large quantities of old grain left in the hands of growers in tho Bay of Plenty. However, this ha.s now to be sold at a lower price as merchants can sell the imported at 0s Gd. and another shipment ia landing from South Africa by tho TVaimarino this week. Most of this ia already sold to arrive, as consumers like the small grain variety that is imported, and they, do not caro to take much of the new season's until it, is a littla more matured It is steadily improving in condition every week. FERTILISERS. July seems likely to introduce another busy season in tcp-dressing fertilisers, 'Cr several orders are in hand for this month's delivery, chiefly super. FLAN. L'he mills aro now closed for. the winter, so the low prices ruling on the other side of the world, in sympathy with tho fall in Manila hemp, arc only of interest as indicating, how the industry will resume operations in the- spring. There is not much stored in Auckland now and (he low prices may induce some mills to delay reopening until the market is better. At. present the best price that shippers can give is £'2! for good fair. £22 10s for high point. £!'J 10s for low point and ,iI7 for common. KAURI GUM SUPPLIES. FIGURES FOR LAST MONTH. Very small supplier of kauri gum wero received into store by Auckland brokers last month, the markets' being exceptionally dull To a larga extent the decline in supplies, particularly of the better quality gum, is seasonal, due mainly to wet weather. All merchants report that overseas orders have not been forthcom-ing-recently. This-is probably the result of uncertain financial conditions in the United States. Tho following table shows the amount of gum received during tho first six mouths of the last four years: — . —1923. 1923. 1030. Tons. Ton- Tons. Tons. January •• 2<Vs_ 278 ~)9 -*Bl February -.. 108 :!07 27.i 412 March . • 111 Sit 240 oti.t April . . . 295 333 I,T> -HI Mav ' .. . . 27? MM 121', 874 •Tur.o . . . . "39 .Tsl 2So 217 Totals , . 1633 2055 1855 2-513