TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. GOOD TURNOVER IN SHOPS. PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. A large number of buyers has been attracted into the city during the week, and tho retail clearance sales have been well supported. Prices are very materially marked down, and this inducement is effecting a good turnover. A decided feature this week has been tho business done with country visitors, and tho sharp nip in the atmosphere has directed the attention of buyers to tho winter clothing that is offering at very reasonable rates. Everything promises still better business to-day, as there will be an exceptionally large influx-of visitors to the city, if the weather keeps reasonably fine. Tho wholesale houses are getting a little busier each day, as the orders for delivery next week on August account are steadily increasing in volume. However, most of them comprise a long list of small quantities, showing that retailers are determined to carry only small stocks in the present stato of the market. Buying to arrive seems to bo vory much restricted this year. EASTERN GOODS. Prices generally are on a lower level, an occasional recovery making very little impression on the steady fall during recent months. Calcutta prices for jute are so low as to help sheepfarmers very considerably with the cost of their woolpacks, for these will be landed at a low rate from the direct steamer which will be leaving Calcutta and Singapore very shortly. Cornsocks are also being imported at a low cost, but this lino has diminished in importance since the great fall in the oat harvest in recent years. Sago and tapioca are exceptionally cheap at present, but this is not inducing more than the normal importations, as very few people have much confidence in tho market. Spices are all down, particularly pepper, which has dropped to an exceptionally low level, after being unusually high last year. There seemß little chance of an early recovery from the present level, as the coming crop is expected to be another good one. Mace and other spices are much in the same position, with a good output assuring low prices. Canned pineapples are the only Singapore line of any importance showing a firm tone, and this seems to be a reaction from the severe competition between rival packers a few months ago. The recovery in the price is very trifling, and is only of significance as a contrast to previous cutting for a long period. TEA. About 2,500,0001b. were offered at the weekly auctions in Colombo on Tuesday. There was a slight falling off in the quality of tho superior' teas, tho market for which was unsettled on a slightly easier basis. Commons nnd low medium grades were in strong demand, and advanced on an average by 2 to o cents. COFFEE. The import mnrket is very weak, owing to exceptionally large stocks accumulated in Brazil. SUGAR. Tho world's market continues low. with a heavy output in Cuba, and a good crop expected in Europe. MACARONI. Good stocks have arrived from Australia, and these are selling well, the price being very reasonable this year. DRIED FRUITS. Rather a sensational fall has taken place in prunes, the San Francisco market having completely broken. None of these are yet to hand, but iji a short time importers will bo able to offer at very reasonable prices, so a good demand is expected. Sultanas ] are selling well, but full quantities are being imported from Australia. Some very attractive California!) quotations arc leading to business in various finalities. HONEY. Good quality is now available in tho usual popular packs, bulk, tins, cartons and squares. Squares have been in rather short supply this year, nnd slightly higher prices ore asked for any of superior qualify. The whole output was greatly restricted this year, seriously reducing the export, hut sufficient has been retained to supply tho local demand. HAMS AND BACON. Selling much better sinre eggs have become more plentiful at lower prices. POTATOES. Local stocks are only moderate, and this has caused the price to harden a little since the beginning of the week, merchants now asking £7 15s ex store which is more on a parity with the firmer tone in Canterbury. Tho VVnipiata brought 3000 enclcn yesterday, but this is not a great quantity for immediate disposal, and most of these are being distributed at once. A fair demand has come in for seed potatoes, the weather recently being almost ideal for planting operations in most districts. The early varieties have been selling very well, nnd there is now a good inquiry for the main varieties. ONIONS. Several small lots have come in from Pukekoho lately, but the quality is not very reliable, and they are moving off at Fs 6d wholesale. The same price ,is asked for Canterbury onions, although these are in rather better condition. Fair quantities of Australian are now held here, nnd are quoted at 103 6d. These are in better condition than the local, being a different variety, with thicker skins, and they keep better through the winter. OATS. Only small quantities are selling, and the price remains steady at 4s lOd ex store. Very little horse feed is required this winter, as there is not much contract work going on nnd pastures are in good condition for the horses that are turned out. CHAFF. Dull of sale at £lO ex store for Tasmanion, and £lO 15s for best Southern. WHEAT. Fowl wheat jb firmer at 7s lid to 8s ex store, following the rise in the South. Several merchants have not been adjusting their quotations during the last few weeks, to bring them to a parity with the cos| f.o.b. South Island, but they are now facing a higher cost, nnd it looks as if the new purchases will have to bo. sold at 8s Id on arrival. BRAN AND POLLARD. Bran is in moderate demand, with sufficient supplies to meet all cnlls. In pollard, however, there is either k reduced demand or too much has been imported, for local stocks have been rather heavily accumulating during the last week or two, and* Southern millers are also offering now. * MAIZE. The market is now estnhlished at a lowe* level, and good quantities of new grain are being sold to inland centres at 5s Bd on trucks at Bay of Plenty stations. Local distributing trade is mostly in old season's South African grain, nnd this is moving nff at 6s 6d ex store. New is occasionally arriving in small quantities, and this is being distributed at about 69 to 6s 2d on the wharf. FERTILISERS. A fair demand is coming in for fopdressing fertilisers chiefly super from the local mills. Some fanners nre already shutting up 11 few paddocks for liny, and giving n light top dressing to secure n good crop, but most of the orders are to bring on a good spring growth for the dairy season. Ordinary pastures will begin lo receive much heavier treatment next month, nnd n large output is expected from the mills during the whole of the spring. NEW CABARET COMPANY. VENTURE IN TIIE CITY. Formed with the object of establishing a cabaret and grill room in the city, Entertainments (N.Z.), Limited, with an authorised capital of £IO,OOO divided into pound shares, went to allotment yestciday with the minimum subscription oversubscribed. , The company has secured a ong-tcrm lease of the top floor of Campbell s DuiMjmrs nt the corner of Lome and Rutland Streets, and proposes to put m 1 " lld tl ® fitting up and the furnishing ol the looms immediately, the opening being set down for August 21. The premises provide about 13.000 square feet of floor space •nnd will provide accommodation for about 000 The company lias secured the services of Mr. N. W. I.overidge, of Auckland, as manager of the cabaret.