TRADE IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 5

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

WHOLESALE AND KETAIL BRISK BUSINESS RECORDED ANNUAL STOCK-TAKING Wholesale business in. Auckland during the past week has been exceptionally busy. Merchants were chiefly engaged earlier in the week in despatching goods on April account, while later, a demand set in from retailers who will bo completing their annual stocktaking this week-end. The demand has taken no particular trend, although more attention is being paid by merchants to foodstuffs more suitable for the winter demand. Cordials and other summer lines are still being despatched in good quantity. Easter novelties hare met with a ready demand and, except for one or two lines, a:re practically sold out." Tobacco deliveries were made to the country yesterday, and despatch to the town and suburbs will be made to-day. Indentors have little to report regarding changes in the overseas markets. The Eastern market, however, remains very quiet. Further easing has taken place in the price of sagos and tapiocas. Pineapples are practically unchanged, but pepper is easier. CREAM OF TARTAR A sharp reduction in price is reported in tlio English market for cream or tartar. CONDENSED MILK A popular lino of condensed milk was ad- . vanccd in price by is a case at the beginning ut the week. CURRANTS AND SULTANAS The first shipment of new season's Australian sultanas and currants arrived by the Wanganella from Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday. CLOTHES PEGS f As a result, of increased duty chargei which came into fcrce recently, a slight advance is reported in the price of clothes pegs. SAGO AND TAPIOCA Latest quotations for sago and tapioca ar« easier than those quoted a week ago. Very little interest is reported in the market. CARTRIDGES A general increase of about 12% per cent in the price of a well-known line ct shotgun cartridges is announced in the raw price lists now available. SICILY ALMONDS The market for Sicily almonds has shown a sharp decline during tlie week, although prices for the new season's 1938 crop still remain Kairly high, with no interest being shown. _ OLIVE OIL A sharp decline in the market for French olive oil during the week is reported to b? due to the weakness of the franc. It is difficult to estimate what the future effect may be. CANNED FISH One New Zealand packer of tinned lobster has reported that supplies are now com- ' pletely sold. Supplies of canned oysters also 1 are short, and it is anticipated that stockß will be just about finished before the new ) season commences. - - i DRIED FRUITS ! Shipments of prunes, dried apricots and dried peaches arc now arriving .rom vfcli* ; fornia, and apricots and peaches are also r arriving from Australia. Merchants report that these lines are meeting with a very

ready sale, ami prunes, in particular, are cheap. PINEAPPLES Pineapples are a shade easier in price, istid a certain amount o£ selling is being donf) to the retail trade for forward delivery. Most shippers arc demanding a premium for for* | ward shipment, however, and buyers are not inclined to operate in view of the weakness of the market. ' RESIN A scheme to restrict the production of n-f-in came into force under the control of the United States Government this month. The scheme has been launched to control the tapping of pine trees for resiS, which usually is carried out in May ajnd June. During the last few weeks, the American resin market haR made advances whi.ch will probably affect the landed costs to the extent of about £2 a ton. Latest advice from .Sew York indicates, that higher prices are likely.

TINNED PEAS Merchants aro indenting shipments of Canadian green peas', quotations for which have been announced on a competitive basis with the Australian product- It was explained by one merchant yesterday that, since the recent revision in duties, although the amount of duty is the same, the f.o.b. prjc® of Canadian green peas is lower than that of Australian. No big demand will be experienced, however, until about August, when the local market is cleared up. TEA • The quantity offe?ed at this week's Colombo tea auction amounted to 2.500,0001b. The quality generally showed & slight falling off. There was a good demand and the market was irregular. without any. material chaatge. London • bought freely. Common kinds were irregular , and slightly easier. Mediums were strong a&Jate rates, while good teas sold around recent levels. The quantity, to be offered at next week's anction will be about 2,625,0001b.