COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHARES., Tho investment market was very dull yesterday, there were no transactions, and tho few quotations recorded were as "under Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ s. d. Union Bank 55 6 0 — National liank .-. 5 7 0 — N.Z. Loan, Mercantile 102 10 0 — Wellington Investment ... — 011 9 Well. Trust and Loan 7 4 0 — Christchurch Gas — 7 0 0 N.Z. Insurance 5 6 0 — Gear Sleat (£4) 13 EJ 0 —- Union Steam (ord.) 14 6 15 6 Union Steam (prof.) — 0 19 9 BUSINESS QUIET. Business is very ciuiet in tho city pending a settlement of the strike, but' merchants aro viewing the position philosophic-, ally, holding that a trial of strength is inevitable, and it is bettor to havo the contest now tha.n wait until, say, January or February, vhon all the ports of the Dominion will be busy shipping- the country's produce. It is tho small retailers who are likely to feel the pinch, for it is mostly their customers who havo rcfuse-d to work for a living and who havo little or no money to spend. Tito small retailers will bo obliged to support many of tho families by extending credit. In the meanwhile, tho prices of commodities are rising, and certain lines of food-stuffs are becoming scarce. Flour is tho most important item, as Wellington is practically dependent upon tho south for supplies. A ccrtaini quantity of potatoes can be procured from tho near-by country districts, and new potatoes can be brought In by train. Fruit ipust rise in value, and probably somo lines of vegetables.

EXCHANGE OP EXPERIENCE. Ono view—an American one—of the exchange of experience by different-firms is that each gains something, but tho firm with tho longer experience and the more highly capable stall gets the best of the exchange, and maintains its lead. Some timo ago a. rival firm aelted to be shown over tho works of a firm claiming to make a certain product better than anyone else, and after some hesitation -tho request was granted. Every detail of tho process was disclosed, and tho rival firm picked up much of valuo At the conclusion of the visit, the host asked the courtesy of a, return visit to inspect their rival's plant. Thia was granted, and several things of value learned. Both firms were fully satisfied with the result of this exchange of experience. Tho Americans appear to be more alert in this -matter, while the British generally adopt an unduly secrctivo attitudo ini regard to their practi«e and experience. lVhiJst eoeli must 'determine for himself tho limits of open-hande.dncss, ther.o certainly is a. strong ca-ss made out for n. more generous attitude generally, What we want to remember la that it is our own fault if, ; an giving our experience, wo fail to secure an equivalent return. Wo arc-not making a, free gift, but effecting an cxchango or a sale.

CUSTOMS HEVENUE. , Customs revenue collected in the' port of Wellington yesterday amounted to £1206 3s. 9d. COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (licc. October 29, 8.30 p.m.i , , „ - Sydney, Oitobor 29. At the half-yearly meeting of the Colonial Sugar Itofining Company the net profits for the six months',-working in Australia were reported to -be £128,440; in Fiji and New Zealand, £127,000. To- these amounts weiG added the undivided balance of £249,705 After transferring a quarter of a. million to the Capital Account, a. eum of £255,144 was.left available for distribution, which was appropriated in a 5 par cent, dividend for the half-year, and a ss. per 6hare ■bonus. The sum of £52,019 was carried to the profit and loss account. The report (adopted) -stated that tho proauction of. sugar this season would considerably exceed that of the previous year The cano crop had been heavy, and its sweetness above tho average. * . WHEAT. i By MoEruDh-Prc.'G Aasociation-Gopyllsht (Koc. October 29, 11.40 p.m.) .London, October 29. The wheat market is firm, though there is a disappointing demand. From 355. to' 34a. 6d. was asked for an- Australian November shipment, per steamer. The American visible supply of wheat East of tho Kockics is 300,932,000. FINANCIAL CABLEGRAMS. Dy Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Loiufon, October 23. Yesterdays closing quotations wero as follow:— Hank of Australasia, buyers £113. sellers £115. Bank of New South Wales, buyers £38 sellers £40. , Bank of Victoria, buyers £3 165.. sellers £4. Union Bank of Australia, buyers £54. sellers £55. National Bank of Australaaia, buyers £5 10s., sollers £6. National Bank of New Zealand, buyers £4 lEs., soUera £5 ss. - Bank of New Zealand, buyers £10 15s„ sellers £11 15s. N.Z. Loan aud Mercantile Agency 4 per cent, debentures, £9 '10s. t Melbourne, 4 per cent, debenMeibourne Harbour Trust, 4 per cent, debentures, £97. Melbourne Tramway Trust, 41 per cent, debentures. £100. Melbourne and Metropolitan Boo,rd of Works, 4 per cent, debentures, £97. Australian- Mercantile Debentures, £90. £ n«lwty and Co., 4 per cent, debentures, Dalgety and Co.'s shares, buyers £6. sellers £6 10s. Melbourne Gas Co.'s debentures, £97. City of Sydney, £98. Goldsbrough, Mort and Co.'s debentures, £93 10 s. Bank of New Zealand, 4 per cent, guaranteed stock, £ICO. SILVER, London, October 28. Bar silver is quoted at 27.3d. per ounce standard. JUTE. Noyembcr-December is quoted at, £33 15s. METAL MARKETS. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. October 29, 11.40 p.m.) London, October 29. Copper—Forward delivery, £73 15s. Tin.—£lß2 ss. and £183 10s ■ Load, £20 Bs. 3d. Wolfram, 34a.