TRADE IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22954, 4 February 1938, Page 5

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BUSINESS STILL BRISK SUMMER DRAPERY SALES {§|} A wide variety of goods is still being handled by wholesale merchants in Auckland, who state that trade continues to be particularly active. Summer lines are naturally attracting attention, and the inquiry for canned fruit and fish, in particular is good. Satisfactory business also is being done by retail firms, and the summer drapery sales, which are now in full swing, are adding a stimulus. The hot weather has been responsible for a heavy demand for soft drinks and frozen delicacies. Drapery and stationery firms are benefiting" from th®-' reopening of the schools. . CLOTHES PEGS Canadian clothes pegs which have arrived recently show an increased landed cost of 6d a box. CANARY SEED Overseas markets for canary seed are firm, the only movement recently being an advance of 5s a ton in Argentine seed. CANNED TOMATOES A quotation for the new pack of Dominion cannud tomatoes issued by one factory shows a slightly lower price than last season. CIGARETTES .. A new brand of cigarettes, in packings of ten and 30, will bo offered for delivery on February 16, at the retail prices of 6d and Is 6d respectively. PETROLEUM JELLY Several local packers of petroleum jelly have announced an advance in the price of the lib and 4lb tins. This is mainly due to the increased cost ol' the tins. .a OX TONGUES A shortage of ox tongues appears likely, as at least one Dominion packing house is reported to have sold its entire pack to Australian buyers. An acute shortage of both ox and sheep tongues is ruling in Australia. PINEAPPLE Packers of Hawaiian pineapples have an-, nounced an issue of smaller sizes in a variety of styles. These lines are selling well in New Zealand, but the present size of 30oz. has been found to be too large. STATIONERY With the commencement of another school year, there has been the usual heavy demand . for writing pads, pencils, pens and other school requisites. School books also are meeting with tho usual brisk inquiry. BRAZIL NUTS Quotations for the new crop of Brazil nuts in shell are again lower this week, present offers being about £3 a ton below the prices quote 4 early in the new year. In the face of the advanc« in kernels, the lower offers for the unshelled nuts were expected. " . SAFETY MATCHES Supplies of Finnish safety matches have been particularly short on the local .market for some considerable time, but the position will be relieved by the arrival of further stocks at the end of this month. Merchants hold satisfactory stocks of English matches. CANNED FRUIT Stocks of popular brands of canned fruit have been cleaned up more rapidly than was anticipated, owing to a heavier demand in the warmer weather. Merchants aro now awaiting delivery of supplies of new season's fruit, which are expected to-arrive at the end of this month. " V, % -vy DRIED FRUITS Following a period of falling prices, the market for ail grades of Californian prunes and raisins has now firmed, and prices have advanced from Gd to Is p6r cwt., according to grade. Furthermore, most shippers are now unwilling to sell for forward shipments except at a small advance each month. Stocks of both sultanas and currants ix» Australia at present are very low, and comprise only tho lower grades, mostly one crown variety. Australian growers have had a suectisful year both in Australia and London,, and a continuation of the present steady demand should clear the London stocks before the new season's fruit arrives. BRAZIL KERNELS Prices quoted for new season's supplies of Brazil kernels have been favourable this year, especially as last year's rates, owing to a short crop, were so high priced. However, latest cablegrams from Brazilian shippers state that prices have advanced by approximately 'Ad per lb. London shippers are now quoting price* slightly lower than the Brazilian packers, bufHheir rates are- expected to advance long. WALNUT MEATS . „ Supplies of certain grades of Manchurian. walnut meats are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in Tientsin, and some shippers have had to withdraw prices of these qualities meantime. Apparently there are still stocks of all grades in the Honan and Shansi districts, but whether it will be possible to bring these to Tientsin under the existing conditions is doubtful. Meanwhile prices of. the remaining grades are steady, but firm. ■ TEA The quantity offered at this week's Colombo tea auction amounted to 1,200,0001b. Qnality generally showed a falling off. There was a good general demand, with the exception of common kinds, which declined by y,d per lb. Medium sorts sold at rather dearer values, while good teas regained strong at late rates. Next week's auction will "comprise 1,900,0001b. A small quantity was offered at Calcutta, and the market remained unaltered. The season is now almost finished, and no sale will be held next week. ' WOOL IN LONDON LEVELS REMAIN STEADY LONDON, Feb. a At the wool sales 6877 hales wore offered, including 2449 bales from New Zealand and 5510 were sold. A mod- ~ erate selection met with a sustained ,1 demand. Ruling rates wero maintained. There were frequent withdrawals among tho inferior types of wool. New Zealand greasy crossbred branded "E.H.J. averaged 10Jd per lb., top price, Hid; 'Pmata" averaged Hid, top price, llid; "Ririwai" averaged IOJd, top price, lljcl; slipe half bred lambs," "Eclipse", averaged llid, top price, 13$dr \