COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1920, Page 4

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLE. WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. The High Commissioner’s cable message, dated London, Nov. 6th is as follows : Meat.—The English trade is slow, and prices are somewhat weaker: Beef is Is 3id, mutton and lamb, especially uncut lamb ,all .at the maximum price. Australian and New Zealand ox beef is quoted at 10 id per lb for hinds and 7d per lb for fores; New Zealand cow beef 9d per lb for hinds and 5Jd per lb for fores. The demand is good for Argentine chilled beef at Is per lb for hinds and 8d per lb for fores. Butter. —On account of the very limit cd supplies, high prices are being obtained. English selling at. £23 to £24 10s per cwt (4s ljd to 4s 4-id per lb) ; Irish up to £25 10s per-cwt (4s 6|d per lb). Irish is only exportable under licenses, which are not being granted very freely. Cheese. —It is understood that the Food Ministry has sufficient supplies to meet the demand up to January and February. Tho retail price is still Is Bid per lb. Free cheese is in slow demand; English £9 to £9 6s per cwt. (Is 7 ; \d to Is 8d per lb); Canadian white £7 17s to £7 19s per cwt (is 43d to Is 5d per lb); coloured £B3s to £8 SJ-per cwt. (Is 5Jd to Is old per lb). Quota- j tions c.i.f are £7 18s to £8 per cwt. (Is 4gd to Is 5d per lb). Hemp.—The Manila market is quiet and prices aro slightly weaker. “J” grade, August-O'ctober shipment, sold at £65 per ton. September, November' and October-December shipments are now quoted at £64 per ton. Buyers of New Zealand are inactive. Sellers, quote high points ,spbt £56 per ton; fair, £54 per ton; October-December shipment, high points £54 per ton, fair £52 per ton. Honey.—The market is very quiet. Tho demand for New Zealand is confined to first grade, which is iselling slowly at 109 s per cwt (103 d per lb). Lower grades are quoted at 80s to 90s per cwt. (8-d to 91 d pe rib) and are difficult to sell in competition with cheaper descriptions. Wool.—Tlio London wool sales begin on Tuesday next. Settlement of the strike having been made, tho feeling is better in Bradford this w.e.ek, though the outlok is not brighter. The trade is waiting to know the policy to be adopted for liquidation of Government stocks. They hope tho reserve will bp reduced.