COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1920, Page 4

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, Dec. 6 The High Commissioner’s market report, dated London, December 4th, is as follows: — Meat—English supplies are again small, but sufficient for the moderate demand. Trade is quiet. Average prices are: Beef Is 4d, mutton Is Bd, lamb Is lid per lb. The import trade is quiet but steady. Cheese—The Government allotment is only slowly applied for, the trade preferring to fill their requirements with free Canadian, which can be obtained at a lower price. English is slow. There is a moderate enquiry for finest farming at £7'los to £9 fid per cwt (Is 4d to Is 8d per lb). Canadian is dull, and easier for lower quality. Best is steady White, on spot, is quoted at £7 3s to £7 16s per cwt (Is 3Jd to Is 4J(J), and coloured at £7 15s to £8 per cwt (Is 4RI to Is 5d per lb). Butter—The Government ration will be increased to 2 ounces per head from December fitli. There is no change in price. A fair amount of Dutch has arrived this week on Government account.' The U.S.A. market is less attractive to Denmark with the decline in exchange, and in Denmark quotations tend to decline. Irish is very irregular. Creamery is offered at £24 10s per cwt (4s 4)d per lb), hut prices are declining.

Hemp—The Manila market continues dull. “J” grade is now quoted by sellers as under.—October-December and November-January shipments £59 per ton, December-February and JanuaryMarcli shipments at £SB per ton. August-October shipment lias sold up to £63 per ton. Short sellers are covering. The New Zealand market is idle. Nominal quotations are:—High points, spot £54 per ton, ’ December-January shipment £sl 10s per ton, fair £52 and £SO per ton respectively.

Wool—The last Government sales this year open in London on December 7th. In addition to Government offerings, 27,600 hales of privately-owned wool, principally River Plate, Australian, and Cape Colony, and 300 bales of New Zealand, will be offered for sale.