MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 227, 25 September 1928, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

STEADY WHOLESALE GROCERY

TRADING.

PEARL BARLEY REDUCED

CI R EASE PROOF PAPER SHORT

Auckland "Star" Office,

Tuesday, September 24

Wholesale merchants have experienced very 'steady trading during the paet week — biierners coming in in good volume, both from town and country, for the twentyfifth bookings. Tlio completion of these orders will keep merchants' staffs working *t top for the rest of the week. General. One of the woli-known Southern packers of sheep tongues has authorised merchants tr> reduce their quotations 2/ per dozen to the trade. Owing to the near arrival ot new season's English herrings at re♦luted indent rates caused mainly by competition amongst English packers, Home merchants are endeavouring to clear their stocks, and a noticeable feature is the lower quotations that are being made for immediate delivery. A well-known Southern packer of corned beef has ad-■vitHi-l the trade that further supplies will nor, be available until after Christmas, and that meanwhile they are offering limited supplies of assorted 'beef that Wholesales •to the trade at 1/6 per dozau higher. This scarcity of corned beef should stimulate more of a demand for the local product. Nestles' tinned cream is now listed at a reduction in price on the soz and 10oz tins of 1/ per do/*n. Owing to delays in < Wtaining shipment from London of grease■jjroot paper, the local market has expei-i----etii'M a shortage off and on for a con- *, I'-able period, with the result that quoXi i >ns are much firmer and supplies at i ••■Hunt are practically depleted. A new lii.' of English paste called Kippavette • i nulo by a wel'l-known packer is now being TnaiKeted in three sizes, IV4, IVi and 3oz, with rates ruling to the public at the toame price as their other varieties. Merchants have of late been offering the ■trade some excellent value on spot offering of prunes, and, as in some cases their quotations are well below present costs, Tetailera will doubtless evince renewed interest in this line. One of the largest of the Southern soap manufacturers is offering special inducements to the re* taller* to push two of their brands of noaip and also special prizes to the public as an inducement to save the wrappers. Pearl Barley. Southern millers recently advised the trade of a reduction of 10/ per ton on pearl 'barky on their f.o.b. quotations. Peppers. Cable report* last week from Singapore advise a finning market again on tall grades of pepper for the next direct irteamer shipment. Singapore 'black was quoted at en increase of l%d. Singapore white VAA. Muntock f.a.q. lKd per lb. Although prices locally have shown a weaker tendency lately, due to Tccent shipment* bought when tfie market was considerably lower than it is now, the present firming tendency was anticipated when the actual strength of stocks at producing centres became known, as supplies have been considerably short of actual buyers' requirements for the last couple of seasons. Mae*. Amboyna mace is also quoted at firmer rates, lateet quotations showing an increase of 2d per lb. Jute Goods. All jute goods are now listed at slightly reduced rates for the next NovemberDecember direct steamer. Hessians, in all ■weights, are showing a reduction of about S per cent. Corneacke, in 48in, a penny per dozen, and woolsacks a lttd per pack. Castor Oil. Contrary to expectations, the market in Calcutta for Australian thirds is now showing an easing tendency, the c.i.f.e. Tates for the November-December steamer ■how-ing a reduction of Md. per gallon for ■half cases and %d per gallon for drums. Shellac. The market for 'both prompt and forward shipment, according to Calcutta cables received from there last Wednesday, is quoted at firmer rates, A.8.T.N., which in the grade usually sold on this market, •bowing an increase of %d per lb. Superline grade is also quoted at an increase of 44d per lb. Ceylon Tea. At the sale held in Colombo last week 3,500,0001b was pkeed under offer, showing an increase on the previous sale of 1,375,0001b. There was no sale held during the previous week, owing to holidays, •which was responsible for the largely increased offerings. Common teas were in fair demand at slightly lower rates, but other kinds showed more firmness. Commons were listed at a decline of %d per lb. Price broken Orange Pekoes and plain B.P.'s linn and unchanged. First classic broken Pekoe* advanced *Ad, and finest broken Orange Pekoes advanced %"d per lb. Exchange was quoted at 1/6 9-32. British Columbia Salmon. Mail advice received on August 18. — The packing season is fast wearing on, and definite report* are now available from most districts ae to what might be ultimately expected, particularly in Sockeyee and Pinks. On August 11 the total pack of Sockeye in all districts was 180,423 f.a.ws, at the corresponding date of the ■previous year the total was 229,924 cases, and at the corresponding date in 1924, which would be the four years' cycle, it WM 336,421 cases. The discrepancy is very marked. The weather conditions in the first instance were far from ideal. In Vancouver and the southern part of the province there could not 'have been better weather, but in the central division covered by Rivers Inlet (the central area), it wae wet the first week in July, during •which time a great many fish got to the 'pawning grounds without being caught. I lie Sdkeena, for sofme unaccountable Tc.«on. lias fallen very far short, the m £<? ,°^L ye t?" 1 I thie area bein * on,v 20,488 cases. The last previous record, at a like date was in 1025, when they had 60,134 caeca. On the tour years' cycle 1924 pack th<»y hart 137.528 c;i*mj. These figures are aiven to give a good idea what the ■position really is. It is true that only a very small pro■portion ot Scc-ke.M? hae Ween sold in \uetral,i«.i.i .nevertheless the few here anil thpre arid up to pon*irlfragile proportion?. V," I:lL '^J lir Fli,ser Rivpr district Is more than 9000 cn*o« ahead of last year at the samp time, and the quality of this years fis.i m better than it has'been for mteon years. Samples and teate made of present packs indicate exceptionally good quality ol all lines. The position ae regards Cohoe is encouraging the pack this year averaging in fact about 4% i» excess of previouf yearn cateh at the same time. This k the ■W year for the Pink pack, and , lp to August 11 cannei * were only some 52 000 caeef below a similar date in 1926 In (.'hum* only about 50 per <ent of what 4. SSteT 1 ? J' P at thiß time <"' «»e year SSI, Bii bn. predlct what the ultim ' te Cnncernins p ,i, r , I , i;i -, t!l j iona w MmH on Au?n-t !«. vhi-S »ho W advance-

Sockeyee and Cohoee are sold up. Pinks sold to the extent of 60 per cent, and Chums 80 per cent, with many outside •buyers still to come in for their requirements. Dates. Cable advice received from London indicates that the market on dates is particularly firm, «.nd prices for shipment of bulk from that port have registered an increase of 6d per cwt. Direct shipment quotations in the meantime remain unchanged, although the latest advice to hand in connection with direct shipments i«i that the fiiet tide eteamcr from Busra hae 'been delayed, which means that the new dates will not arrive in London until December at the. earliest, eo that all orders booked for shipment by the October direct steamer via Sydney will arrive in New Zealand at least two months before any shipments can reach this port from London direct. Cheese. Following the reports of only slight interest in the cheese market on the part of London buyers, quotations have firmed slightly and much better offers have been received. It would appear that holders in general are requiring higher prices for prompt delivery, but are willing to accept slightly lower prices for shipment up to the end of December. The concensus of opinion would indicate firm local prices on to-day's level until about January, when an easing tendency is expected, due to anticipated lower prices in the United Kingdom. Cocoa Butter. Due to a weakness of trade arrangements with regard to the cocoa and chocolate industry in Great Britain this market has shown considerable uneasiness, and this is reflected in a sharp decline in forward quotations. Recent cables indicate further reductions and the latest information available gives quotations that are £14 per ton lower, and ae forward shipment is indicated at the reduction, it would eeem ae if the new low level repreeeute more than a temporary fluctuation. Peanut Kernels. Revi»ed quotations received on Java peanut kernels during the past week indicate that the market wae etill firm, shippers' advancing their c.i.f.e- rates a further 5/ per ton. Shelled Walnuts. Quotations on Spanish whole halves and pieces show an easing tendency, lateet cable reports showing a decline of approximately £10 10/ per ton. Raisins. The last cable advice received shows an increase by some packers of £3 15/ per ton on both oil bleached bulk Thompson's seedless and sultanas. So far all shippers have not advanced their prices of unbleached raisins, but in view of the general strength of the market and the sharp rise in oil bleached it is confidently expected that remaining packers will advance, and then prices will very nearly approximate opening rates. Hardware. Hardware merchants are etill experiencing a fair volume of trade as all business now being transacted is for the new months account. Quite a number of shortage* in oversea consignments are being experienced, mainly ex Port Napier shipment, owing to the goods not being discharged, and it seems that some consignments have been left behind at Pago Pago. Further arrivals comprise electric light globes, glassware, paragon china, mixing bowls, cups and saucers, rat traps, mouse traps, coat hangers, etc. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/7V4 per M>, and 1/7 per Jb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, 1/5% per lb, and 1/5 per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, 1/2 per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium eize, mild, lid to per lb. Loaf, 1/1 net per lb. Cheedale, 61b bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Crest, 4/6 per dozen. Bacon.— Hams: 1/1 per lb; rolted hams, 1/3 per lb; boned hams, 1/4 per lb. Bacon: Sides, 10% d to 1/ per lb; rolled «dea, 1/1 per lb, middles, 1/1 to 1/3 per ib; shoulders, 8d per lb; rolled shoulders, lOd per lb. Lard, bulk, 10d per lb; pate, lid per lb. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; lOO's, £18 15/ per ton; We, £19 5/ per ton; 25's, £20 per ton; 12%'s, £20 17/6 per ton; 6&'s, £21 17/6 per ton. Southern: 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 per ton; 25's, £19 10/ per ton; 12%'s, £20 5/ per ton; 6%'s, £20 17/6 per ton, all lees 2V4 per cent discount. Linseed.—Whole, 22/6 per cwt; ground, 23/6 per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed, 12/ per bushel; whole white, 12/ per bushel; whole black, 14/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/0 per lb; binder. 8d per lb. Peameal.—l3/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.— 14/ per 1001b. Linseed Meal.—l 6/ per lOOlb. Bluestone.—33/ per cwt.