TRADE OF THE WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE STEADY TONE MAINTAINED DRIED FRUIT MOVEMENTS Wholesale business has been steady over the past week, and is recovering from the interruptions caused by the holidays, while an improving demand for winter goods is now affecting retailers as well as wholesalers. Few changes have occurred in overseas markets, although dried fruits show some variation. Quotations have been withdrawn for Ausl ralian one-crown sultanas, while reductions have been, announced for Califomian raisins. PRUNES Prices of Californian prunes for prompt shipment have been further reduced by from Is to 2s per cwt. EASTERN MARKETS Latest cablegrams from Singapore indicate that the market for pepper is fractionally easier, but quotations for sago, tapioca and pineapples are unchanged. CANNED MULLET No stocks of new season's canned mullet will be available from North Auckland, fhe abnormal rainfall this summer resulted in the water round the mouths of streams being too fresh, consequently the fish kept out to sea, and the catch was very light. DATES sPricos for new season's dates for October shipment from Basra are a shade lower than last year's opening rates- As K°°d stocks of dates are still held locally "*nd the new fruit is not due to arrive befoie December, only limited business has been placed. TEA The catalogue at this week's Colombo tc_a auction comprised 2,9;(0,000lb. Although quality declined, there was a good general demand. Common grades advanced id, medium sorts id and good kinds, id to sd. Next week's auction will comprise 2.750,0001b. SARDINES Tho price of Canadian rardines has. been increased by fid a case for wrapped and Is Gd a case for unwrapped, according to a recent cablegram received from packers. On the other hand, quotations for Norwegian sardines, which have been advancing for somo time, ore now fractionally easier. WALNUTS New crop New Zealand walnuts are nearly ready and are being offered from the Akaroa peninsula, Blenheim and Hawke's " a yMore and more walnuts are being producer! in the Dominion each s'ear, and it appears thnt there will be little need to import walnuts in shell. BEANS Some new season's beans arrived by the Wanganelhi last Saturday, relieving the shortage considerably, although the main supplies, are thrc-e or four weeks Inter than usual, have yet to come. Prices nave advanced sharply, current rates being about £4 to £5 a ton above those ruling a month or two ago. In view of the colder weather, there is a stronger demand for haricot beans., but sufficient stocks are available to fill orders. Further supplies are duo next week by the Narbada. This market also has advanced, and prices are much higher than those ruling when business was done for the rsarbada's shipment SOAP Tie market for sunp is very firm,, and some lines are difficult to obtain. Recently tallow prices were forced up to very levels following a strong demand from the Unitad States. This was due to the fact that heavy duties were projected on imported tallow, but latest official information states that there does net appear to be imy likelihood of the tariff being raised. It is also stated that the United Stales is expected to develop an increased trade in tallow with Australia. As the price of soap is governed by the price of tallow, high soap prices are therefore likely to continue. DRIED FRUITS The Australian Dried Fruits pontrol Board has advised that one-crown sultanas have been withdrawn, but that delivery of all other grades of sultanas, currants and lexias is extended to the end of May. The Auckland market is practically bare of sultanas in all grades, as there hns not been a. direct shipment from Melbourne for some time, thus merchants are awaiting the arrival of the Kartigi at the beginning of next week However, it is doubtful whether seeded lexia raisins were available in time for shipment by this vessel. Cablegrams from San Francisco advise slight reductions in several grades of present season's raisins for May-June shipment. Thompson's seedless raisins, both, in bulk and cartons, have been reduced 'ls per . cwt., while golden blenched varieties are Is Gd per cwt. lower. No change has been notified for malaga seeded raisins in car" tons, but muscats have been reduced by la 3d per cwt. Quotations for new season's golden bleached raisins are slightly lower than ruling rates for present season'n supplies.

DOMINION FERTILISER INCREASE IN DIVIDEND 4 PER CENT PAYABLE [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION]' DUNEDIN, Thursday The directors of the Dominion Fertiliser Company, Limited, have recommended the payment of a dividend of 4 per cent* for the year ended March 31. It is payable on June 6. The company has been operating for about thre*> years. The first dividend declared was 3 per cent for the year ended March, 1934. UNION OIL AND SOAP SAME INTERIM DIVIDEND The directors of the Union Oil, Soap and Candle Company, Limited, have declared an interim, dividend of 6d a share, unchanged. It is payable to-day. . ' HENRY JONES CO-OP. USUAL INTERIM PAYMENT The directors of Henry Jones Cooperative, Limited, Melbourne, have declared the usual interim dividend of 6d a share. Payment will be made on June 1. MOUNT LYELL COMPANY NO INTERIM DIVIDEND [BT TELEGRAPH —FRESS association] WELLINGTON. Thursday The Mount L.vell Mining and Railway Company, Limited, Melbourne, has advised the Stock Exchange Association as follows: —"The directors regret! that, as mining operations during the six months ended March 31 have been carried on at a loss, no interim dividend oan bo paid." No interim dividends have been paid | for the past three years, and for the year ended September, 1934, no return at all was received on shares. ■ P. AND 0. COMPANY INTERIM DIVIDEND PAS:.-ED LONDON, May 1 The Peniftsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company is not paying an interim dividend on deferred stock. No dividend on the deferred stock of £4,592,(518 has been . paid since 1931, when 6 per cent was distributed. The dividend of 5 per cent on the company's preferred capital of £3,040.000 has been maintained in recent years.