TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20607, 4 July 1930, Page 9

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. GOOD BUSINESS IN SHOPS. PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. Most/ attention has been given to the retail this week, owing to tho winter clearance salos being in progress, anrl some novel methods have been introduced to attract attention. Bright winter weather has assisted to make shopping attractive, inducing tho womenfolk to visit the largo drapery emporiums, where tho attractive prices have led to steady business. The counters have all been well patronised by eager buyors, anxious to inspect prices while the selection is most varied. It is considered that values in drapery arc now very favourable to tho public. Other departments arc following the lead of the drapery houses in announcing special price reductions and they are beginning to receive a full share of the trade. If the weather continues fine to-day, it is confidently expected that the long day will sec an immense amount of business transacted.

Tho wholesale rush of business on forward account has now slackened and orders are about normal, with no very special inducement to stock heavily at present. Retailers are inclined to allow the wholesale houses to carry the large stocks for them, as they can then draw small quantities as required. Country orders are not expected to bo very large until next month.

Next week a good many of the wholesale houses will be busy on shipments by the Tofua for the Islands, although the total quantity to be shipped will be very small, compared to recent shipments that have been loaded ;<>r the United Kingdom. Although, t.liia is the slack tiirio of the year, very sub. iantial quantities have been sent away, chiefly butter, cheese, meat, pelts, tallow and kauri gum. Very little flax is being exported at present. Provision houses arc kept steadily busy with seasonal lines, there being a call for all the special winter goods. Bacon is selling better again, now that eggs are cheaper. DRIED FRUITS. There seems to be a steadily-increasing proportion of householders who now depend on the bakers for their cakes, so the latter are purchasing large quantities of sultanas and other fruits. Some very choice parcels of American raisins have been obtained at favourable raic.3, but the bulk of the trude is in Australian sultanas, and private houses mo also trying Ine Australian lexias that were recently imported in splendid condition. Australian currants are selling fairly well. Crystallised cherries are very cheap, but tho new season's will he a little higher Sicily almonds and peanuts are both at exceptionally low prices. EASTERN GOODS. Very low quotations have been coming to hand, resulting in orders going forward for the direct steamer. Many importers ore delaying in case prices should go still lower while there is time to order. TEA. At. tho sales at. Colombo on Tuesday the offerings exceeded 2,000,0001b. The quality was very much better iu the medium teas and these realised much better prices, with a very strong demand. Tho market for commonest was slightly easier, but in other grades there was a general advance of 3 to 5 cents. The restriction of output which is now in force is resulting in a larger proportion being of better quality. Hie restriction was somewhat accentuated during May by heavy rain and wind. Altogether, there lias been effected a definite reduction in tho quantity put on tho market, the offerings for the first five months of the year being 5G,000,0001b, compared with (V),000,000lb during tho corresponding period of last year. It is significant that half that reduction took place in shipments to the United Kingdom during May. RICE. Tho Rangoon rice to hand is soiling well, as it can he offered at a lower rate than the Australian. However, the latter is now quoted at rather more favourable rates and it is expected that a steady increase will take place in importations of Australian grown, as production is steadily improving. SUGAR. Tho world's market is very low. influenced by large production in the tropics and the prospect of another good crop of beet in Europe. SALT. Good quantities are now to hand in bulk and the usual small trade packages. CANNED FISH. Riilhen slow of sale, except when unfavourable weather restricts tho supply of fresh. However, salmon and herrings aro always moving o(T, so a shipment of the popular pack, herrings in tomato sauce, lias come to a good market, with stocks previously rather bare. Mullet is in short supply, with none in Bight until the next canning season begins.

HONEY. Selling well in the various pricks, jars, tins, cartons and squares. A nice line in bulk is also on offer and is moving off well. POTATOES. Tlio anticipated recovery in the market did not eventuate, two shipments to lmnd this week keeping the price fairly weak on the spot. South Island prices seem much in (lie same position. Local merchants are inclined to buy only from hand to mouth and are quoting £7 to <C7 5s ex store. Seed potatoes aro meeting an increased call us the soason advances, helped by the recent favourable weather for working the ground. Ample stocks of all varieties are now stocked here, merchants finding that, the main crop varieties aro now in demand, as well as the early sorts. ONIONS. Southern arc in plentiful supply and their tendency is toward lower prices, as they will not keep in sound condition. This makes I hem difficult to sell when Australian are known to be close at hand and it. is very unlikely that any more will be brought from Canterbury. Australian are due to-day and (hey have been booking to arrive at 10s to 10s Gd. OATS. The market is steady at the lower price, 4s 9d ex store for }3 grade, with a dull inquiry. CHAFF. This is also selling very slowly, with best Southern quoted at A'lo. A shipment of Tasmanian is duo to-day and ns the quality of the last gave genera! satisfaction this has been selling more readily to arrive at .CO 10s in the Australian scrim bags. Buyers are willing to pay .£lO when packed in the sound New Zealand sacks, such as were imported in the last shipment. WHEAT. Fowl wheat is firm at 7s 10s ox store, but the demand is quiet, due to the high price and also to resentment against the position of this grain being held up by a sliding rate of duty. This is increasing the demand for maize, which is now obtainable at a lower price, and compares favourably with wheat, besides being always more popular for poultry during the winter.

•BRAN AND POLLARD. These present no difficulties, as full quantities of each nre available, owing to regular importations of pollard to supplement the local millings. MAIZE. The shipment of South African maize by the Waimarino has now been landed and it, has turned out ill perfect condition and quality. There is no sign of weevil and the excellent packing is causing some satisfaction, the businesslike style being something of a novelty for this grain. It is being widely distributed at Cm Od, bo new grain from the Bay of Plenty has not been receiving much attention this week. However, it will eoon be wanted, especially as its condition is steadily improving and growers ore able to obtain 5s on trucks at Bay of Plenty stations. FERTILISERS. The improved demand continues, and the local mills are now sending out good quantities of super for top-dressing pastures. COLOMBO TEA SALES. COLOMBO, July 2. At this week's tea auction 2.500,0001b. were catalogued. Medium kinds showed improved quality generally, but the quality of oilier grades was irregular. Commonest teas were, easier, but all other kinds wero dearer. Next week 2,700,0001b. will be offered.