GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18237, 22 November 1924, Page 10

GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

GROCERIES. • . The tea mirkst in Colombo is otiil high, vith. every pronpeci of further advances. t , packet ; teas have, advanced only •»••>. .24; Per lb it ia a very significant fact that tea-used 'for packing' duo to land shortly •will 'show. an increisa °f not 2d per lb, but Bid* ote'r similar grades previously imported kr* the, •ame. purpose, . Everything pointa

ito a. • further m the Tory near future. Fine salt is still very short of supply, and to mala matters . worso the steamer

Cumberland, with supplies on board, ha« been delayed in tho North Island' through labour disputes. There is a, limited supp'v of 71b bigs now available, trith a. brisk demand. The price of condensed milk is it present considered to b« too hieh '"hen compared irith cheese and butter values. It ia understood that values in Australia, far condensed milk ere very much "under th« Dominion prices, consequently importations commencing to come in, »nd after paying duty and freight the imported article can be . sold at competitive prices. Onions are in very short supply, atoelos being practically exhausted. It looks like a, famine from now on -until the local new crop is ready. Sugar fell £1 a> ton during the •week—an unexpected drop. There is no Alteration in the price of syrup or treaole. Spico values in the" East are still firm, ajid coSeo i* also up in value. One line has advanced thifl week, and *, rise in other packs ie expected.