TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21087, 22 January 1932, Page 5

TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. AN UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK. PRODUCE MARKET REVIEW. While trade in the city is being continued on a fairly satisfactory basis, difficulties in overseas marketg upon which New Zealand is dependent for some essential commodities continue to increase. In some quarters business remains quiet, but provision merchants are receiving consistently steady orders in everyday requirements for delivery early next week, due no doubt to the low level to which retailers have allowed their stocks to dwindle. Owing to the uncertainty of the outlook merchants have to give careful attention to orders overseas, limiting their purchases more strictly to essential lines. Several big importing houses have already felt the effects of the limited amount of exchange available in London as the result of the low prices realised by New Zealand produce and have been unable to secure their full exchange requirements from their bankers. This has brought about an immediate curtailment in purchases, especially fancy goods, and it is quite generally felt that unless an improvement takes place in the price of primary products that steps will soon be taken to restrict imports to a schedule of approved goods of an ! absolutely essential nature. SICILY ALMONDS. Some shippers advise a further of £2 10s a ton for new season's almonds for prompt shipment. EASTERN MARKET. This week's quotations from Singapore j register a weakening in sago prices, which are now lower than they have been for some little time past. Pineapples are firm and unchanged. CANNED FRUITS. As expected prices for Australian canned fruits, which were named this week, are on a much higher level. Standard apricots show an advance of Is 9d a dozen on 28oz. tins on last year's opening rates and seconds Is 3d. Standard peaches are Is a dozen higher and seconds Is 44d. These are the increases in the f.o.b. prices, but owing to the fact that duties are paid on the homo consumption value, which is higher than the f.o.b. quotations landed costs will show a greater increase, tne advance in the case of standard peaches, for instance, being increased to 2s Id a dozen. The crop is reported to havo been a light one, but most merchants appear inclined to await the prices of the New Zealand canned fruits before placing their orders. It is felt that the higher prices will reduce consumption. TEA. Thi3 week's tea auction at Colombo comprised 3,500,0001b. Quality in some upcountry estates showed a slight improvement. There was a good demand. Commons were a shade easier and mediums declined id a lb. For up-country teas, showing improved quality, the market was firmer. Owing to the large quantity offering a number of estates were taken out under bid. sellers being very firm in their ideas of values. Exchange is unaltered. Next week's auction will comprise 2,500,0001b. Supplies are decreasing. The Calcutta season has practically closed and only oddments are now being offered. COTTON. The outlook in the cotton market was recently commented upon by Lord Derby, president of the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation, who said that, given the continuance of existing economic and exchange conditions, it could not bo foretold how far America would be able to sell her crop to Europe. As far as the work of the corporation was concerned, the present instability of world conditions rendered it imperative that there should be no relaxation of effort, as it was certain that | the supplies of cotton from Empije sources would become an increasingly important factor in the raw material situation during the years immediately ahead. POTATOES. Potatoes are still plentiful. Pukekohe merchants are quoting around £4 10s to £\ 15s a ton f.o.r. Through store the price is around 6s 6d a cwt. Rates have been mimed for Canterbury supplies for April-May-June delivery, and *. little business has been done. Merchants, however, expect lower prices to follow and are showing little interest at present. ONIONS. Pukekohe onions are coming in freely and are showing steady improvement in quality. A good demand is being experienced and prices are around 9s 6d a cwt. through store. Reports from Canterbury indicate a good crop and prices are being quoted for March delivery. No business is being done in view of the good supplies available at Pukekohe. WHEAT. A fair quantity of new season's wheat, both milling and fowlwheat, is coming forward by next week's Southern steamer. The quality is reported to be excellent, samples showing a very hard, clean and full grain. Old season's is being done around Gs 7d a bushel and undergrade, when procurable, at around Gs sd. New season's ex wharf is worth Gs sd. MAIZE. The market for maize is again firmer, the prices being asked in the Bay of Plenty f.o.r. being in the vicinity of 4s lid a bushel net to storekeepers. At these prices little, is offering. Through store it is being done at around 5s 9d a bushel and there is a likelihood of a further hardening. South African is worth Gs a bushel, with only email quantities available. Crushed is being done at around 5s 6d for 50lb. Gisborne merchants continuo to hold firmly even at the advanced rates. OATS AND CHAFF. A shipment of new chaff from Blenheim is due next week. Prices remain high at around £7 17s Gd a ton ex wharf and £8 5s a ton through store. Oats are scarce, supplies being practically unprocurable except from Bluff. It is reported that Canterbury merchants are now drawing supplies from this source. Spot stocks are low end as yet thero is no indication of any drop in the price of new season's. Dunn oats are very short and available supplies are bringing 5s 9d a bushel for first-class reclenncd quality. BARLEY. A small shipment of Australian barley was landed by the Marama, having been brought from Adelaide through Sydney. Cleaned and clipped it is being done at 4s 6d a bushel. The Kalinco is due next week with a larger shipment, which will probably bring the price back to around 4s 3d. BRAN A NT) POLLARD. Owing to the shortage on the local market some shipments of Australian pollard are being imported at increased f.o.b. cost, but. owing to consideration by the Government in regard to exchange premium it is understood that the landed coat will work cut approximately the same as previously. These supplies should go into immediate consumption, as some time has elapsed since importations ceased as a result of the rise in tho Australian market. Prices of both bran and pollard remain unaltered. SEEDS. Merchants are now paying particular attention to seed stocks, and good wholesale business has been experienced. Prices of Southern cocksfoot show a considerable advance and ryegrass is also substantially firmer. Although actual dealing with farmers has not yet set in, (jood business is expected to follow. PROPERTY SALES. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Limited, will offer at auction, at their rooms. Haymarket.. Albert Street, at 2.30 p.m. to-day, a 47j-acre farm with usual buildings, at Wiri; and five-roomed bungalow at 45. Portland Road. Remuera. C. F. Bennett, Limited, will offer at, auction, at their rooms, corner Queen and Short.land Streets, at noon to-day. fivproomed house at 83, Lake Road. Devonport William A. Home, Limited, will offer at auction, at their rooms, first floor. Home's Buildings, Vulcan Lane, at 12.30 p.m.. today. four-roomed house in Northcroft Street. Tnknpuna. Samuel Voile and Sons, Limited, will offer at auction, at their rooms, 83, Queen Street, nt 2 p.m. to-day. four-roomed house in Richard Street, Grey Lynn; and fivorootned house in Somerlield Street, Ellerslie Robert C. C'arr and Son will offer at auction, at their rooms, 00, Rwunson Street, nt. nion to-day, three-roomed house in New North Road, about a mile beyond tho present Mount Alhert tram terminus; and four roomed cottage at corner Stanley Avenue and D.illinrrhoe Crescent. Mitford. Neville Newcomb, Limited, will offer at auction, at their rooms, 4, AVvndham Street, at noon to-day. six-roomed house and fee tion in Cnuldrey Street, off Rendnll Place, Eden Tcrrao#.