BRITISH TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1922, Page 4

BRITISH TRADE.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT.

\yjkidJNQTON, Dec. 31

The Department of, Agriculture has received the . cablegram, dated December 23r<\,frpm the High Commissioner.. fpr, New- Zeahpyl, London : 'MEAT,

The mutton, aryl lamb marjeet is quiet hut steady, at, ynaltfyed. prices. Very ■'Uttj.y husjiqess. is, dying; in view -of heavy supplies of cTyillyd.. beef. Qpotatjoys.are,;— Npw Zealand mutton, light",'pigh.t, oj, tp 4£. to 4|d, ewes, 4jd; latyb,, lightweight, 7§ heavyweight 7d to 7Jd pyr lj) r . The beef trade is very bad, with few s.alys of frozen. Quotations are noyiiiyil. The supply of Argentine chilled ( beef exceeds the demand. Average prices during this week arp, abpqK Linds- Gjd, fores 3j(l, but sales have been made at lower prices.

BUTTER. Tlie demand for spot is good, but excessive supplies continue to depress ilie market, resulting in weaker and irregular selling. Official quotations on Wednesday were; —Danish (lower tendency), : 74s to 1765; Argentine, salfed 120 sto 1255; Australian, salted llßs to 1.2 Is, unsalted 13Cs to 1365; New Zealand, 140 sto 145 s per cwt. Towards the end of this weel: prices liave further declined, sellers offering New Zealand for delivery after Christmas at as low as 135 s per cwt (Is 2}d per lb'). The Board of Trade Butter Commistee had dissolved in view of the decision of the Department to clear stocks and therefore no further issue prices will he obtainable. "cheese. The cheese market continues very ’quiet. Official quotations are:—English, finest farmers 140 s to 145 s ; Canadian, white 100 s to 104 s, coloured 98s to 102 s; New Zealand white 90s to 94s coloured 88s to 94s per cwt. HEMP. The market has a firmer tone in sympathy with the improvement in the price of Mexican sisal, owing to the Mexican Government having imposed an export tax and also reports that a prominent shipper has stopped sales to the Continent for the present. Current white is now quoted at £4O per ton. African sisal is also firmer and good business has been done. In the absence of offers the price of Manila is nominal. “J” grade December-Feb-ruary shipment is quoted by sellers at

£3B per ton. New Zealand is quoted: Highpoint.s, spot £3B; fair £3G per toi January-March shipment, £37 10s am and £36 per ton respectively. Witl probable buyers at 20s less. EGGS.

The market lor eggs is weaker, supplies exceeding the demand, and though pressed, for sale, only small business is doing. Present, quotations are, per long hundred : —English 44s ; Irish 40s to 425: Danish 40s to 425; Argentine 10s to 18s; Russian 1.9 sto

235; South African 19s to 235; Chinese 16s to 18s; Egyptian 12s; Rumanian American 19s to 28s; Canadian 19s to 235; Australian 27s to 295. WOOL.

The Bradford market maintained a firm tone and prices are in favour of sellers. A good demand continues for tops and yarns but there is little improvement in tlie piece goods trade. Present quotations for tops are:—64’s (merino) 50d; 56’s (super half-lfred) 28d; 40’s prepared (coarse crossbred) I2d.