TRADE IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23718, 26 July 1940, Page 3

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

MINOR PRICE CHANGES MEETING HIGHER SALES TAX Steady business has been done by wholesale grocery merchants during the past week. Deliveries of goods oil August account commenced to the country yesterday, and heavy orders were received. With deliveries to the town and suburbs on Monday merchants are expecting another busy week. The trend of commodity prices continues to bo upward, and several advances have been notified. A large number of manufacturers are making minor adjustments to cover the higher sales tax. The price of the goods to the public will not be altered, retailors being allowed a slightly wider margin. .In an attempt to effect further economies in the consumption of petrol representatives of the grocery trade recently met the Oil Fuel Controller in Auckland. Methods of saving petrol woro discussed, and it is hoped that some' assistance may bo given. Deliveries already have been fairly severely curtailed, and the closing of wholesale grocery firms on Saturday mornings will be of further assistance. A circular has been sent to retailers asking for their co-operation. Bicarbonate of Soda.—Further supplies of bicarbonate of soda have arrived to n. fairly bare market. Coffee Essence. —A liae of locally packed coffee essence has been advanced by about 10 per cent. Ground Rioo.—Owing to uightr production costs. the price of ground *ite has been advanced this week. Golden Syrup.—Golden syrup in 2lb tins will not be available for almost two weeks and only limited quantities of "lb tins are being- delivered. Flavouring Essence.—A line of vanilla and lemon essence packed in New Zealand lias been increased in price becnuso of higher production costs. Cow Covers.—The colder weather has stimulated the demand for cow covers, and tiie inquiry may be expected to increase during the next month. English Paste. —Limited supplies of English paste, salmon and shrimp and aachovette, havo been landed. It is expected that this will bo about the last shipment. Tobacco Deliveries.—Tobacco deliveries for the period from August 1 to 15 will be despatched from warehouses to the country on Wednesday and to the town and suburbs on Thursday. Dried Fruits.—Fignres issued by the Commonwealth Dried Fruit Control Board for the 1010 season show that Tscw Zealand booked the record quantity of -170:$ tons. The previous highest was -1533 tons in 1037. Herrings.—Contrary to expectations, further supplies of one brand of English herrings will not be available for some time, and local agents have had to cancel, tho undelivered balance of merchants' orders. Cornflour. —A small shipment of packet cornflour has arrived from England to a fairly bare market, and (supplies are moving out rapidly. A consignment of bulk cornflour is reported to be on the water. The landed cost will be high, and it may bo necessary to rearrange retail prices.