GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14842, 6 December 1913, Page 16

GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

< London reports, uiAier date October ° 24th, 1U13:—■ j* Tea —Indian. A fair quantity at 0 auction, tone generally firm tkrough--5 out; all teas up to Ski per lb distinctly k dearer, at a general advance of id per r lb. Fine teas hilly steady, lowest leaf 7id. Ceylon l —Only a moderate supply at auction, tono generally firm; not j enough teas for requirements. All grades were firm to dearer. A general advance of id per lb was registered. * Lowest leaf 7}d, 7Jd, and very little at the lower price. Java—Only a small quantity at auction this week; . tone generally very firm. Conij raon tea nearly id per lb dearer; . lowest leaf 7id, 7Jd. ' Coffee—Only small quantities at auction this week, prices fully steady, Santos —After fluctuating considerably, closed practically unchanged for the week. Mediterranean Fruits —The holding up of the transhipments of this fruit, ■ ex the s.s. Worms, has to a great ex- ' tent inconvenienced New Zealand buyers, but should not cause the amount of apprehension that is just now . felt for the reason ' that Californian seeded raisins and seedless raisins have 1 arrived per the Willoclira and Canada Cape, and that these fruits are so much more popular than the Mediterranean [ article is evidenced by the fact that imports from California last year were double the imports of raisins from the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, Turkey, Greece, an-d Asia Minor. Currants are in short supply, and are now fetching high prices. Figs—This line will undoubtedly bo short, as the Cahfornian article does not seem to have been brought to the same standard of . maturity as the Smyrna fie- Dates— This is another line that will be short, but as Californian prunes have been delivered these can to a very considerable extent be substituted for dates. Californian Fruits — Raisins — The price remains firm. Apricots—These have slightly advanced, and as there is only a medium crop it is likely that further advances will be asked shortly. Prunes —There is a steady undertone, ! and as the quantity of prunes in Cah- ' fornia to-day is smaller than it has been ' for a number of years, further advances may be expected. Peaches—There is steady buying for this article, and it is likely that higher prices will be asked presently. Apples—These are really very high just now, and the tendency is for an advance. Salmon —Further shipments or the now popular .' 'Shamrock , ' brand have come to hand ex the Makura, and are being readily sold on account of the excellent quality offered. Oil of Lemon—There is a further slight decline since our last report. The new crop for January-April is quoted, and a fair amount of business is being done. :■■'•' .. Linseed last Quotation tms line has advanced Id, and it now lobks as though the. market has an advancing tendency. i "Pig Iron —To-days cables quotes some prices for Glengar'nock pig iron at last quotations. Steel—This has declined 5s per ton.