PRICE OF FLOUR MAY BE RMSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17890, 5 July 1926, Page 1

PRICE OF FLOUR MAY BE RMSED.

GROCER BELIEVES ' CHANGE IS IMMINEN'I;

The uncertainty in regard to the flour situation in the Dominion at present has given rise to a good deal of speculation as to the possibility of an increase in the price. “ We know nothing definite but we reckon that there will be a change before long and it won't be a decrease in price,” said a city grocer this morning. “The whole position is very uncertain but something is bound to happen soon.” A drop of fourpence a dozen in the price of eggs is expected this week. Last Week's wholesale prices were 2s 7d a dozen' for first grade and 2s 5d for second grade, the retail prices being 2s 8d and 2s 6d respectively. It is expected that by to-morrow the wholesale rates will be down to 2s 3d and 2s Id. The reduced prices should stimulate the retail demand which has not been particularly keen recently. Supplies are coming to hand freely and while it is anticipated that further reductions in prices will take place from time to time, the market will probably be a good deal steadier after this week. No alterations in the prices of other staple grocery lines are announced at present. CEYLON TEA. A wholesale report states that at the weekly sale held on June 22, 2,750,0001 b was placed under pffer, which comprised mainly teas of poor quality. The quantity offered was unusually heavj*. and showed an increase over the previous offering of 150,0001 b, and as the larger percentage were teas of dull liquor, the final result of the sale showed that the demand for stocks had been unusually small. Commons, price broken Orange Pekoes and plain 8.0.P.'s were listed at declines ranging from M to id per lb while first classes and finest sorts remained firm at the quotations of the previous week. Exchange made a small alteration and is now quoted at Is G 7-32nds. The manufacturers of one brand of marmalade cabled quite early in me year that they proposed to reduce their prices on shipments of new season's make of marmalade, which they expected would be ready for shipment in March. Unfortunately it was found impossible to effect shipment in the time specified, and it was not until about a fortnight ago that the first of the new season’s shipment came to hand, and merchants who have obtained delivery are now selling at the revised rates, lib tins are reduced Is fid per dozen, 21b tins 2s, lib glass jars Is and 21b glass jars 2s per dozen. Retail selling rates are as follows: lib tins Is 2d each. 21b tins 2s each, lib jar» Is fid each and 21b jars 2s fid each. DRIED FRUITS.

Prunes.—Reports received from California by mail advise that considerable strength has been added to the prune market by the change in c;op outlook produced through seasonable changes in the few weeks prior to this advice. In view of the profuse blossoming practically throughout the State, a large production was generally expected. However, estimates based on the conditions of the trees later, again proved that not much importance should be attached to the blossoming, and it is now thought that the crop in the Santa Clara Valley will be about the same as last year, but that it will be materially smaller than last year in other northern districts, including the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Peaches. —So far promise to be a good crop, but for apricots the estimates likewise had to be reduced, par ticularh' in certain districts in the south. It will be realised that on this commodity no reliable figure can be estmated for the dried output until practically the time of harvesting, as it will only be apparent then what quantity will be required for shipments of fresh fruit and by the canneries, and consequently what tonnage will be available, for drying. KEEN DEMAND FOR FISH. At this season of the year there is a keen demand for fish and it is fortunate that at present supplies are fairly good, although the choice of varieties is small. Last week's weather interfered to a certain extent with supplies, with the result that prices are slightly higher to-day than they were a week ago. The ruling rates a; e:— Groper, Is and Is 3d a lb; ling, Sd; terakihi, 8d; soles and flounders, Is 3d. The usual smoked varieties are available. Poultry is meeting with a fair demand, retail prices being:—Boiling fowls from 3s 6d a pair; chickens from ss; ducks from 7s. BUTCHERS CUT PRICES. Many housewives are benefiting as the result of a price-cutting war between several of the largest retail butchers in the city. Although wholesale rates for mutton showed an advance at the Addington market last week, the butchers concerned in the price-cutting campaign actually made substantial reductions in their retail prices. The wholesale rates for beef were slightly easier last week, although really prime stock sold at good pices. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Bananas, which were in short supply a week ago, are now fairly plentiful and are retailing to-day at 8. 10. 12 and 16 a shilling. Island oranges are retailing at five and six a shilling, and navels at four and five a shillings, extra large varieties costing Xs 3d tor three. Mandarins are six a shilling, marmalade oranges 6d a lb or 31b for Is 3d, lemons five and six a shilling, tomatoes 2s 6d and Is 6d a lb, apples 4d ?ind 6d a lb, and pears 6d a lb^ Retail vegetable prices are:—Cabbages 3d and 4d each, cauliflowers 4d 6d and 8d each, leeks 6d and 8d a bundle, pumpkins and marrows 2d a lb, and carrots and parsnips 2d a bundle. _____