TO-DAY’S PRICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1921, Page 6

TO-DAY’S PRICES.

PROSPECTS FOR THE YEAR. FEW LINES CHEAPER. The retail grocery trade is good in Taranaki, and good business has been done for December. In the wholesale trade there is a tendency to unload surplus stocks at a sacrifice by some of the smaller New Zealand houses, who require the money, but generally there ia no expectation of any heavy fall in prices in the immediate future, except in isolated lines. The latest returns indicate over-im« portation in many items, amongst which the most striking instances are imported confectionery, earthenware, preserved fish, currants, raisins, corrugated iron, fencing wire, imported jams and fruits, rice and tea, all of which are very much in excess of last year. It is ill these articles that “cutting” is likely to take place, as they are bulk lines and represent a large amount of capital that will be required to meet obligations, but with the ordinary standard merchandise recent invoic.es show no decline, and in many cases a substantial rise in cost. The exchange difficulty and the tightening of the money market will automatic* ally tend to reduce imports, and as the bulk of the traders are restricting buying to immediate requirements, thi| phase should right itself before long. Potatoes.—Waikato are coming for* ward freely, and meeting with a ready sale at low prices. Onions.—The first of the new season'd Waikato are at hand, and are very goo<| for so early in the season. Fowl Food.—Wheat is right off thd market, but hulled oats are eagerly sought after by poultry fanciers, but tha supply is limited. Mixed grain is in good demand. Flour—Selling freely. It is understood that the Government is to strictly en« force the regulation limiting the stock of bakers, grocers, and merchants to One month’s supply, so that buyers holding this quantity may have dufficulty ial getting a permit to buy more. Bacon.—A reduction of Id per lb fl! bacon and 3d per lb on hams is announced. Tobacco and Cigarettes.—-Wery much more plentiful than has been the case recently. New Season’s Dates.—Now in Wellington, and local supplies will arrive by next coastal steamer. *