TRADE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 7

TRADE OF AUCKLAND.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

OVERSEAS SHIPMENTS ARRIVE.

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW.

As is usual following tho heavy trading prior to the Christmas holidays, business over tho past day or so has not been exceptionally brisk. Tho usual crowd of holiday visitors has been attracted to tho city, but tho majority of these have been more interested in patronising holiday resorts and other similar attractions than in buying more than necessities from the retail houses. Groccrß and storekeepers report normal trading in foodstuff lines, tho demand from hotel and boarding house keepers being particularly heavy. The hot weather of the holidays proved a big stimulant to sales of cordials and ice-creams, in these reaching what must have been little short of record proportions for_ this time of the year. Picnic lines, such as tinned fruits and fish, have also sold freely. Hardware merchants are passing through a quiet period, but indications are that this trade should experience a slight revival. early in the new year ns there must be many jobs which have been dolayed over-long and which will call for attention at an early date. A few late orders for agricultural implements should be received after the holidays. The Golden Cross arrived from tho Pacific Coast this week, bringing a miscellaneous cargo which included a rather large consignment of motor spirit. The vessel also brought a comparatively he°"'y shipment of prunes and raisins and canned preserves. Tho Niagara on Monday brought a miscellaneous cargo, which included a big consignment of macaroni, tinned fish, particularly salmon and pilchards, paper, flour and tomatoes. Eastern cargo lifted afc Vancouver included radio and electrical equipment and confectionery. Tho vessel brought coffee and tinned pineapples from Honolulu. A rather heavy cargo of Eastern produce is due on the Narbada on Friday. This vessel loaded at Calcutta, Pc-nang, Singapore and Samarang. The Sydic, due to-day, brings tho long-expected shipment of African maize and maizemeal. The Marama to-day should carry fresh fruit and a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise, much of which was transhipped at Sydney. FERTILISERS. Sales of fertilisers have not been heavy over tho past week cr bo, but increased activity is expected after the holidays. Farmers will be called upon to make up their minds regarding their autumn topdressing requirements, and bookings should bo heavy. Prices for most lines of fertilisers are on comparatively low levels, in few instances exceeding those ruling in 1913. A shipment of Seychelles natural euano is due nt. Auckland during the second week in January, several weeks earlier than anticipated. This is being offered to farmers for delivery ex the ship's side at £3 13s Gd a ton, on exceptionally low price for a high-grade phosphate fertiliser. JUTE. Advices indicate that brighter prospects are in store for the jute trade, and buyers of jute cloth are displaying considerably more interest. Orders have been more numerous for small quantities and inquiries aro being received for fair lots for delivery for some distanco ahead. Prices have come down to such a low level that there is no room for a further fall if spinners and manufacturers aro to keep their works open. Indian mills have been purchasing raw jute moderately lately and this, combined with a little speculative inquiry, hns tended to send prices to slightly lower levels.

IRON AND STEEL.

Latest London mail advices are to the effect that a somewhat steadier tone has developed in the iron and steel markets. Business is sfill restricted to hand-to-mouth buying, but there seems more activity in some departments of trade. The pis-iron market is disturbed by cheap offerings of foreign iron which have followed the collapse of the Continental Pig-iron Cartel, and fears are entertained that the anxiety of the foreign producers to dispose of their stocks may lead to increased competition to obtain British orders. •In the semifinished steel department Continental competition is also keen, but prices have become somewhat steadier. The figures quoted by Continental makers, however, are at the lowest point known for many years, and, as a result, a fair tonnage of orders has gone their way. The demand for finished steel has been rather more active. The general overseas demand continues rather sluggish but there has been a fair amount of inquiry POTATOES. Tn spite of the fact that heavy supplies continued to come forward, the market for potatoes hardened just before Christmas. A slightly easier tendency has been noted over the past day or so. Tho holidays have interfered with digging, however, and it is not expected that tbe market will be back to normal until well_ into the middle of next week. In the city mnrkets the price for good quality potatoes ranges from ■ls 6d to 7s a cwt. ONIONS. Good quality imported onions are almost unprocurable on the spot, and Pukekoho onions, which are now coming forward in increasing quantities of better quality, are meeting with n firm demand at up to 7s a bag. MAIZE. The African shipment, of maize and maizemea! will arrive this woek. The spot market is exceptionally quiet, showing practically no movement. Merchants and storekeepers are buying only sufficient to cover immediate requirements. Through store, Auckland, merchants ask from 6s Gd to Ss lOd a bushel. WHEAT. The wheat market holds very firm with merchants' _ through-store quotations for small quantities ranging from 7s lid to 8s a bushel. SPAN AND POLLAPD. Prices for bran and pollard are unchanged, with merchants asking from £5 5s a ton for bran and £5 10s a ton for pollard. upward. OATR AND BARLEY. Tho oat market remains weak with B Cartons selling at from 4s 4d to 4s Gd a bushel. Barley is meeting with a restricted demand at from 4s 4d to 5s a bushel, according to grade and whether it has been through a machine. CHAFF. Chaff is mooting with a very restricted demand with tho market showing a weakening tendency. TEA AUCTIONS. Exchange is playing a, very prominent part in tea imports, and is affecting ordering from overseas. The Ceylon market last week showed a slight irregularity for certain grades, but generally quotations were firm. That market is now closed until January 6. Tho last Calcutta sales met very strong demand, and prices in consecnionco were firm to dearer for all useful liquoring kinds, but somo of the inferior quality teas wero only wanted at a concession. Java, quotations in some cases showed a decline of one to two cents, but quality was said to bo greatly inferior compared with tens arriving during the past few weeks. This, however, was "only to be expected, as December is one of the poorest quality months throughout, tho season. COPRA AND WHALE OIL.

The Solomon Islniids copra planters have been badly hit. this season, and a number has been practically ruined, Mr. D. Mackinnon, a plantor. and a senior member of tho advisory council of the British Solomons, reported that planters who had riot bee.n completely put out of business are just managing to stave off disaster. " The industry has been sot back in recent months because production costs are greater than tho prices realised." ho said. For this he blamed the ovor-production of whale oil. Tho Fijian Government, which controls the British Solomons, recently came to the rescue by remitting the 12s fid per ton export tax on copra. This would enable n number of planters to carry on.

CHICAGO WHEAT MARKET. CHICAGO, Dec. 29. Wheat, —December. 76 1-8 cents «. bushel; March, 80 1-8 cents; May, 81i cents; July, 62 cents.