TRADE IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 3

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

ANOTHER BUSY WEEK « 1 STRICT WATCH ON ORDERS i 1 OVER-BUYING PREVENTED i ] The wholesale grocery trade in Auck- ' land has experienced another busy week 1 and there are no signs of the rush for . goods which started on the outbreak of , war diminishing to any marked degree. Some difficulty is being experienced in coping with the demand, as most of the staffs-have been weakened by the departure of some members to military camps. A strict check is being kept on all orders received and, in fairness to all customers, stocks are still being rationed. Normal orders in most lines are still obtainable, but any signs- of over-buying are closely investigated. Several lines , are now short as a result of the import restrictions, and the position will become more acute during the next few months. Indent business continues to dwindle, and most firms are further hampered by the few overseas quotations which are now being received. , . GRAVY SALT Stocks of one imported line of gravy salt aro now exhausted, and no further supplies aro permitted to be imported. Similar local lines aro meeting with a steady sale. CORNSACKS Some juto millers in Calcutta are now reported to bo prepared to book for shipment in October limited quantities of cornsacks, subject to confirmation by sellers. TINNED OYSTERS A good demand .is being experienced for the last shipment of tho present season of tinned oysters from the South Island. Prices for this consignment aro unchanged. BISCUITS Owing tq the shortage of tinplate, no biscuits which sells under 10'/ 2 d per Jb will be packed in tho Is tins in future. Tho smallest available tin in these grades will now bo tho is Gd size. 1 xjA Tho Calcutta tea auction last week brought an entry of nearly 2,750,0001b. Tho demand was good and constant for all lines except tannings, which were again in poor demand, with prices unchanged. All other grades advanced, and the market closed very firmly. , CREAM OF TARTAR Overseas nuotations for cream of tartar have advanced substantially by about 25 per 'cent Quotations -previously wo.re made on a ci f basis, but these have been replaced by an fo.b. quotation. In sympathy with this advance, prices for Australian tartaric acid and citric acid have been rais>vJ by about """""'■BOTES One manufacturer of wax matches has announced that stocks aro being strictly rationed. This policy also is being adopted in the wholesale and retail trade in an effort to cope with the acuto shortage of safety matches. Supplies of imported brands aro now practically exhausted, and supplies from tho local manufacturers are not sufficient to copo with the demand. CANNED FISH Stocks of canned mullet are now slightly more plentiful, but with tho shortage of other varieties it is doubtful if supplies will be sufficient to meet tho full demand. Fair supplies of whitebait in 7oz and lloz tins are available at unchanged rates. ' Export of herrings or slid from England has been prohibited by the British Government, as a large part of tho fishing fleet has been withdrawn for the use of tho Navy authorities. This prohibition may bo lifted later when the Government has takou stock of tho position.