MERCHANDISE TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23996, 20 June 1941, Page 3

MERCHANDISE TRADE

SPOT TEA SUPPLIES SHORT

Conditions in the wholesale distributing trade are very active with business keeping up well. Deliveries of orders on July account will be commenced on Monday and merchants are already handling considerable business on the new month's account. Tea. —The market for tea in Colombo was again r/ a d a lb higher this week, prices being almost a record. It is reported that tea shipments for Neiv Zealand have reached Sydney, but the two last steamers to Auckland hare not brought any stocks. The -local market in consequence is in short supply; Cortss.—The prices of all grades of corks Slave recently been sharply■ advanced. Presentday demand is not up to the volume of that in the past owing to the fact that patent seals have now largely replaced,bottle corks. A certain amount of cork is used in some of these seals, but not nearly as much as formerly.

Polishes.—A leading English firm which is now packing boot and floor polishes in New Zealand has recently announced advanced prices. A southern firm is also packing a wellknown English brand of ammonia. Canned FVuits.—New season's Australian canned fruits have landed at slightly higher costs, duo to freight and insurance charges. Merchants' prices show an advance in boll. 30oz. and IGoz. sizes, the new price lists applying to all main ports of the Dominion

Coffee Essence. —Supplies of an English coffee essence which has been unobtainable are now being packed in New Zealand and will shortly be available again. Baking Powder.—The manufacturer of a leading baking power has advised that the quota system previously operating to contr->' supplies has been withdrawn and (•■{ticks maj bo offered freely. The manufacturers, how ever, point out that the system may havi to be reimposed at a later date if the stock situation warrants it. Paste Tubes.--Difficulty exis's in obtain ing adequate supplie- of nuial tabes toi packing of various but some relief is expected shortly Brushes. —Kx;i«rf« nf brushes from Britain are likely to ho great! v incrc3-<"1 in the future, chiefly to British Empire countries and e.-pecia'ly becaufo Australia has deesac-il practically to eliminate the import • t 'lnclass of goods from non-sterling countries. The London Chamber of Comioerce Journal points out that Britain's export of brakes has exceeded that of pre-war Mines by between and 30 per cent. In addition toincreased trading with Empire countries, a good deal of trade in tcHei and painters' brushes has been carried on at the expense of Germany, which has not bn-n able to ship her products to other countries. The use of nylon, a synthetic substitute for bri-tle. has proved most satisfactory, and has forestalledany shortage in the normal raw material. Eastern Goods.—According to lYnnng cabled advices tapioca has advanced 7s (id a ton. Singapore also reports by cablegram a rise of about ti'ie! a dozen on canned pineapples. synchronising with the recent advance in freights. Javan peanut kerne".- for July-Align-t shipments to New Zealand are dearer by ,i: I a foil. Colombo' reports- no change in the desiccated coconut market, .Exports ot rice from Rangoon are now -strictly licensed.