MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

ALL ROUND IMPROVEMENT. DRIED FRUIT MARKETS SHOW GREAT FIRMNESS. LENTIL QUOTATIONS EASIER. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, September 24.

There has been a general all round improvement in both wholesale and retail trade during the past week. The wholesale grocery houses particularly show unusual brightness, clue, no doubt, to the heavy amount of business that is now "being done for the new month, country deliveries commencing yesterday and local to-morrow. Wholesalers' quotations during the past few months have been particularly keen, which is also inducing the retail' to order more extensively. Genera!. Further supplies of Mildura sultanas and' currants have just come to hand, which have proved particularly welcome in view of the shortages that have been existing on some grades. There is still a serious shortage of cigarette papers, the public who demand zigzags not taking very kindly to substitutes, which come on the market from .time to time. Further shipments of 'both double and singles are expected to arrive from England this week. One of the local packers of chick food has advised the trade of a reduction in the price of this commodity. A small consignment of pilchards arrived by the last mail steamer from Vancouver to this port, and was quickly-distributed, further supplies are now required and the trade are now waiting on further shipments due by the Niagara about the 7th of next month. Walnut halves have been meeting with a ready sale for both spot stock and on merchants' to arrive quotations. Local stocks have heen very scarce and in consequence prices have been very high, but the quality has proved to be of good standard. A very fine line of Canadian table salt, in both cartons and small bags, has been offered on this market and has met with favour from the trade, although at present stocks of bags are rather low; further consignments are expected shortly. Prunes are in exceedinly short supply just at present, only a few of the larger sizes now being available. There has been a further firming in local prices of both canned fruit and various raisin varieties this week, this market now -uling at a very high level. Latest information from California indicates that prices on prunes have for the time being ceased to advance although some agents indicate that the halt is only a very temporary one. A wellknown and popular brand _ of baking powder is now being packed in 51b tins at a proportionate decrease in cost; this innovation should find favour with large establishments— boarding houses, hotels, etc. Further supplies of local pack dried apples, in cartons, are now practically unobtainable, with further supplies not expected until next season. A small quantity of Tasmanian bulk is available, but supplies of this line are very short also. A .recent direct steamer of Rangoon rice landed to a favourable market, and is being well distributed. Supplies of matured cheese are at present very scarce, and as a result buyers are willing to pay a premium in order to secure A further supply of Australian crystallised ginger is now to hand and being sold at slight (increases on previous! wholesale rates, owing to an advance in f.o.b. rates, , caused by the higher cost of raw material. Latest information ragarding. the forward market on desiccated coconut indicates a very firm market, although some business has lately been done at ruling rates for forward shipment November actf December. Australian rice quotations remain steady, with millers offering to book forward delivery for the next three months. Haricot beans are selling well and India reports that their market appears steady, with a good demand for supplies for shipment to Europe. Japanese buyers have not so far operated to any extent, but it is anticipated that they will be on the market in the near future. Only .limited quantities of canary seed are now held in Australia, and the position is not likely to be relieved until the new crop of Turkish arrives there towards the end of the year. Prices for hemp and millet Beeds have a distinctly firmer tendency, and Japan reports that it is now exceedingly difficult to obtain supplies from Manchuria. The next crop will not be ready for shipment from Manchuria until about November-December, so that prices are likely to remain high for some time to come. Supplies of raw ginger are getting low, and there is every indication that prices will be much higher before the new season's supplies come to hand about April next. Drapery. During the week-end bright _ spring weather.was enjoyed, and there is every indication that fine sunny days will be experienced for some time. Business m the drapery trade has been rather on the quiet side, and although fine weather should induce business, the public are apparently waiting for the days to get warmer, as it is still inclined to 'be too cold for summer wear. All departments are well stocked and are showing a full range of new goods, the cotton dress departments being well catered for. Dis-tinct-novelties are evident in rayons, these far surpassing any previously shown in the Dominion. Dates. ■'•' The market position of this commodity ds showing considerable firmness, late cables to hand indicating a vise for forward shipment, ranging according to the months required .from 6d to 1/ per cwt, cii. Sicily Almonds. Latest cables indicate that th« market i for new season's Sicily almonds is remaining particularly firm! Old season'*-, however, have not shown quite the same firmness lately, a cable just to hand advising a slight decline on last week's rates, but this amount is considered not sufficient to make any effect on present retail quotations. - Ceylon Tea. The quantity placed under offer last week on the 17th instant proved, to be an extra large amount (8,250,000lb), owing to no sale being held the previous week. The result of the sale showed a firm market at the commencement, with most grades being listed at declines, owing to the heavy quantity available. Commons remained firm, Price broken Orange Pekoes showed a decline of V*d per lb; plain 8.0.P.'s down l%d; first classic broken Pekoes and finest broken Orange Pekoes' both showing a decline of %d per lb. Exchange did not show any alteration. Australian Dried Fruits. The general shortage on Californian fruit and the high and steadily advancing market that has. been so noticeable during the last few months has created such a demand on other sources of supply that they too are getting short, and the position by the end of the year- will undoubtedly be a very difficult one. for the trade generally. Ine latest cable received from Mel bourne during the week-end states that the Commonwealth. Control Board cannot at present accept any further business for shipment beyond October, in view o£ the changed position that is at present nreTai i l? l America, and Smyrna,' "*$ ™at quotations will probably advance. Stocks in Australia are getting short and the trade has already been advised that Four Crown currants are out and that there is onlv a very limited quantity'of plain sultanas available. August eales in London const*

tute a record as far as the sale of Australian dried fruit was concerned, which only emphasises the general firmness of the position. Resin. Cables received last week advised the market for American resin as being slightly easier, "N" remains unchanged, while "G" shows a decline of 8/ per cwt. Lentils.. Quotations received last week for Indian split lentils Xo. 1 quality show latest rates being listed at a reduction of 2/ per cwt on lists issued a fortnight ago, and at this rate some business is being done for direct shipment from Calcutta for shipment by the November-December steamer. Cherries. Recent cables advise a firming market ! on French crystallised cherries, quotations for early shipment showing an advance of l%d per lb on recent rates. For later shipment, about November, the market is not so firm, only advancing %d per lb. English drained cherries are also being quoted on a higher market, the latest cabled quotation .received showing an increase of 2%d per lb. Raisins. »' The raisin market is still showing a firming tendency, although some offers of present season's at a lower rate than the new season's latest quotations are finding favour and likely to interest buyers for prompt shipment. Barcelona Kernels. The latest cable received from London advises a sharp advance on Barcelona kernels of £5 per ton. Bulk Figs. Quotations on Smyrna figs are slightly higher, prices on bulk now, being listed at an advance of 2/ per cwt, with shippers' advising the general tendency for a firmer market. Smyrna Sultanas. Cables received show an increase of 2/ per cwt on Smyrna sultanas, the general tendency of this market, in view of the possibilities of shortages elsewhere, being one of exceeding firmness. Ground Almonds. London shippers, in recent cables, advise some weakness in quotations for ground almonds, the latest rates advised showing a reduction of 2/ per cwt. Wholesale Current Prices. * Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/7% per lb, and 1/7 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. Owing to the small percentage of second grade butter now being manufactured by one of«ihe large distributors, they are only able to supply a maximum of one-half of the total of each order in this quality. Cheese. —First grade factory, medium size, mild, 9?4d to 10'/4d per lb net; loaf, ll%d per lb net. Chesdale, 61b bars, 1/3 per pound; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Bacon.—-Hams, 1/1 per lb; rolled hams, 1/3 per lb; boned hams, 1/4 per lb. Bacon: Sides, 1/ to 1/1 lb; rolled sides, 1/2 lb; middles, 1/3 per lb; shoulders, 9d per lb. Lard, bulk, 9d per lb; pats, lOd per lb. Flour.—Local, 2001b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £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'less 2% percent discount. Linseed.—Whole, 22/ per cwt; ground, 23/ per 1001b. . Malt.—Crushed, 12/ per bushel; whole white, 12/ per bushel; whole black, 14/9 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; hinder, 8d per lb. Peameal.—l2/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—ls/ per 1001b. .Linseed Meal.—l 7/ per 1001b. Bluestone.—3B/ per cwt. Supplies very short.