TRADE IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21280, 6 September 1932, Page 5

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE IMPROVED TONE EVIDENT ACUTE SHORTAGE OF ONIONS Although not largely reflected in turnover as yet, an improved tone is evident in city trade, chiefly as the result of a more confident outlook. Steady business is being done by most distributing houses and there is an increasing tendency toward larger orders from the retail section. Reports from overseas shippers continue to indicate an upward trend in those markets, and while in some cases substantial gains have not been fully maintained, prices have seldom settled back to the low basis ruling previously. Such movements are usually typical of firming markets. Several, important overseas cargoes are arriving this week and will keep wholesale houses busy taking goods into store. Canadian cargo was landed by the Niagara yesterday, while the Maunganui, from Sydney, the Maimoa, from West Coast of England ports, and the Triton, from Africa, are due to-day. ■ An_ arrival later in the week will be the Kairanga from Australia. The Canadian Cruiser is also due this week from Montreal.

The shortage of onions is the chief feature of the grain and produce market, and -the position has been intensified by the delayed arrival of the next Japanese shipment. Quantities of maize will be landed by the Maimoa and Triton, which will keep this market well supplied, while the Kairanga is bringing a further shipment of milling wheat.

ALMONDS AND NUTS Higher quotations ars being named for old season's Para, Brazil, nuts. Stocks of Manaos in London are also reported to be BhClt ' EASTERN PRODUCTS Merchants are now awaiting replenishments of Eastern lines, which are expected by the Narbada toward the end of this week. "Stocks of sago and tapioca in most houses are low. This week cables from Singapore report a hardening in the pepper market for shipment by the next direct sailing. OILS Soya and other salnd oils are showing a firmer tendency, and buyers are operating fairly extensively for supplies for the summer months, when the demand for this line is greatest. The market for olive oil is showing no variation, but there is a definite demand for stocks to supply the summer requiremeDtS' GREEK CURRANTS Up to the present Greek currants have been fairly quiet, owing to the heavy stocks of Australian fruits, but inquiry is show ins, an improvement and a limited amount ot buying has taken place. SMYRNA SULTANAS In consequence of the low prices of Califnrnian dried fruits there has been a lerj small demand this year for Smyrna sultanas and very limited buying has taken place. MADAGASCAR BEANS Quotations for new' season's Madagascar butter beans are earlier this year for shipment in January-February and forward The market is quite attractive, but so l-i no great amount of business has taken Plll ° o, TIN PLATE ' The market for tin plate is very firm, : with the mills not anxious to_ book business forward until next year. Prices have just been advanced Gd a box for shipment during the current year. RESIN Distinct, firmness is reported in the market for American resins, and quotations ha\e again beon advanced. '• SHEEP TONGUES A reduction of Is 3d a dozen 12oz. tins is announced by southern packers of sheep tongues. Kates are now practically on the same basis as those ruling for the local PaClt ' DESICCATED COCONUT Low prices are ruling in the market for desiccated coconut for shipment from Ceylon, and with the increased requirements usually necessary for the Christmas trade this market appears very attractive at present. DRffiD F RUITS Cables to hand yesterday advised lower quotations for present seasons supplies of Thompson's seedless raisms for immediate shipment. These have been reduced bj 7s a cwt., bringing prices down to the same level as the ruling rates for the new crop. As most buyers have ample stocks to carry on until the new fruit arrives, only limited business is expected to follow. PRUNES

Quotations for freshly-packed 1931 crop prunes aid again higher, the rates having been advanced from la to 2s 3d a cwt., according to size. Stocks are now running low in California, hut there is not much interest being shown in the. new offers, as most merchants have sufficient stooks on hand to last them until tho 1932 crop is available. Prices for tho new fruit have not yet been announced, but are expected nt any time. According to mail advices, efforts are being made to form a prune pool in California, and. if this organisation functions, the ultimate effect will be considerably firmer prices. SALMON

Quotations for new season's pack of British Columbian salmon have come to I hand. In comparison with the ra es y.hicu operated last year immediately after Great I Britain left the gold standard, rntes for ; Sockeyes lib. tins are higher by 2s Od a icase of four dozen and Is 3d a csfie 4 eight dozen halves. For other lines lower rates are quoted as follows:—Cohoes, halves. 4s a crfse lower; Pinks, lib.. 3d a case lower; halves, Is 3d a case lower; Chums, lib. Is a case lower, halves, 2s 6d a case lower It is reported that very heavy buying of new pack has already taken place on behalf of tho British and Continental markets. There is a possibility that there will not bo sufficient Pinks available to meet orders, as tho puck is reported to be Bllolt ' POTATOES The potato market remains fairly steady. Further supplies have been landed by the 1 Waimarino, which brought _ 4300 sacks. ; Owing to consignment lots being offered at slightly reduced rates, somewhat easier prices are ruling from £7 10a to £8 a ton through store. Supplies in the bouth sue working down and growers are becoming moro difficult to deal with. It is expected that values are more likely to harden than | to weaken. ONIOISS I A very acute shortage of onions exists, I spot stocks having been j Niagara landed 1635 . bags of Canadians j terday for distribution throughout the Dominion. her shipment being much smaller than was hoped for, owing to the> f»ct tha | the Canadian onions were not sufficiently I matured to carry at the time of the vessel s ' despatch. Spot prices are nominally 80s to ;55s ft cwt. The Melbourne Maru, which is ! bringing the next shipment of Japanese ; onions, has been delayed and will not, reach Auckland until about September 15, which i is 10 days behind her original time.

FOWL WHEAT j No change has occurred in the market i for fowl wheat. Prices of best quality show ] a little variation among merchants and it is available down to Gs 2d a bushel through stoife, with slightly undergrade offering as Ipw as 5s 8d a bushel. The Government has advised that an interval of not longer than four to six weeks is expected between the first and second shipments of Australian fowl wheat wliich is to be imported. Jhe quality will bo fair average quality Vl p" torian wheat, and merchants may sell to storekeepers provided the wheat is lor poultry purposes only.. OATS AND CHAFF Spot prices of oals and chaff are unaltered. The value of feed oats through ■ store is around 4s 4d a. bushel, and chaff £8 10s to £S 15s a ton. Owing to the advanced stage of the season, some Canterbury holders are now prepared to accept slightly reducet rates. The Piclon market is unaltered. barley Turnover iri Australian feed barley is be-in^-steadily maintained, Clipped is worth is 3d to -Is Gd a bushel through store, and undressed 3s 3d to 3s lOd. BRAN AND POLLARD The demand for bran and pollard-con-tinues to exceed the supply and shipments of both meals are -being secured from Austrnlia No movement has occurred in spoPrice - BASIC SLAG A little business has already been booked in basic slag ior autumn delivery at the higher prices announced last weeK. QUOTATIONS FOR SILVER British Wireless RUGBY, Sept 3 Silver is quoted to-day at 18 7-16 d an ounce spot and 18 9-16 d forward, compared with 18£ d and 18 3-8 d yesterday.