THE WHOLESALE TRADE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 3

THE WHOLESALE TRADE.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 29’ SOFT GOODS. Merchants report a good week’s business. Shipments, ex Rangatira hove at length been cleared, and are now being offered. The present wet weather affects the demand for spring and summer millinery, mantles, etc., but trade in these branches is expected to be good The men's wear trade is still on tho prove.Troublo is being experienced with imports from America and Japan, principally on account of inferior dyes, and also because much of the stuff falls short of sample. Unless better, business methods are adopted by these competitors for New Zealand’s trade importers will be chary of placing furthor orders. And .if these countries cannot produce decent dyed goods, tho query arises as to "where they are to come from. Pillaging is still too common in cargoes landing from overseas. GENERAL MERCHANDISE. A fair vommo of business Has been transacted during tne week, ihe retail trado is buying lreeiy, and tins indicates that the consunipuon ot general groceries is going on much tho same, notwnastandng tpe great winch havo been made in most lines. .1 Local "stocks of Californian seedless raisins aro practically exhausted and fresh supplies cannot nrrivo until me i'll November. Advice to hand, by mail this week reports that tho 11(16 crop of seeded raisins has boon cloaned up and that prices lor new season’s will bo higher, tne crop being a short one. There has been an advance oi sixpence a dozen in most of the local brands of 'Worcestershire- sauce. Tho tapioca market advanced slightly during (he week. Dull supplies of “ maizena ” are now to hand, without any alteration in tho price. This line is becoming more popular, owing to the increaso in the prioo of all the other brands of cornflour. Tho English advance in Coutt’s acetic acid is 3s and 6s a dozen, for small and iarge respectively. It is doubtiul whether Spanish muscatels will arrive in time for ’tho Christmas trade. i,ates havo advanced further, and it is reported that supples are limited and that later shipments will be much more expensive. . A new line of disinfecting powder, called " Deoxido,” has been placed on the market. .New. Zealand-manufactured tobacco, packed in 2toz pouches, is now being offered on the market. • THE HARDWARE TRADE. Hardware sales during tho current week have been rather quiet, customers only buying in small quantities and for actual requirements. Tho shortage of 'stocks is becoming daily more apparent, but this trado can go on a long time yet, owing to the number of lines which can be substituted. Finance has been seriously affected by the losses ex Matatua, Rangatira ar.d Tongariro. Hardware importers had heavy shipments on those three steamers, and to-day negotiations aro net far enough forward to allow the underwriters to pay out, consequently considerable sums *oi money are locked up. There is little doing in heavy'lines, and stocks could not etand a heavy demand tor s any time. Prices are probably at their limit, but there is little possibility of a aerioua decline in the noar future. The building trade is satisfactory, but tho wet woathor has temporarily lessened the demand. Tho painting trade has improved, notwithstanding high-prices of lead and oil, but the spring business is not nearly up to normal. Fencing wires and netting are neglected, even although furthei etocks havo landed. BUlestone stocks are low, and London cable.? that further supplies aro most difficult to obtain. Fair st-ocks •of general hardware are now afloat, both from England and Amorica, but if is almost impossible to obtain many lines. '— *