BRITISH TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1922, Page 4

BRITISH TRADE.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON. March 29 The Department of Agriculture lias received the following cablegram, dated -March 25, from the High Commissioner J for Now Zealand, London : I MEAT. Light-weight mutton is in short supply, and the demand is good at firm prices. There is only a moderate demand for lamb owing to the cold weather. Chilled beef is temporarily in short supply this week, and prices are firmer, hut there is no reaction yet on frozen beef. Quotations are > —New Zealand mutton, light-weight 8d to BJd, medium 7ld to 7’d, heavy s)d to 7<l; ewes, light-weight heavy-weight 5d per lb; New Zealand lamb, North Island best llfd, North Island ordinary ll£d, North Island second-class lid, Canterbury is in somewhat larger supply, selling at lljjd per lb for lightweight and medium weight. Argentine chilled beef, hinds 7-)d, fores Id ; New Zealand beef (frozen)), quite nominal, hinds 4.)d, fores 2jd pier lb. BUTTER. The demand is exceptionally strong this week from Home and Continental buyers. Spot supplies are very short-, arrivals having been cleared as vessels are discharged, and Australian supplies arc practically exhausted. Prices have advanced rapidly and by a series of sharp increases, New Zealand starting on Monday at 156 s per ewt and Peaching 180 s per ewt by Thursday. This will necessitate an increase in retail prices, and buyers are inclined to slow down towards the end of the week. Official quotations are:—New Zealand (salted), 17(5s -to ISOs; Australian (salted) 163 s to 170 s; Danish (qui-ct market), 190 s to 196* per ewi. CHEESE. There is a good demand for New Zealand, and the market is firmer. Present quotations are:—English, finest farmers’ (scarce) 1.40 a to 145 s ; Canadian coloured 90s to 104 s, white 90s. to 102 s: New Zealand, coloured 94s per ewt, white 92s to 945; Australian, coloured 88s to 90s, white S(!s to SSx per ewt. HEMP. The -Manila market is quiet, hut steady. G grade April-June shipment is quoted at £36 per ton, II grade C3j 10s per ton. In New Zealand hemp little further business has been done in spot and dock parcels. High-points are reported to have been sold down to £33 per ton in dock, and is now offered at (132 per ton on spot. The shipment is not of interest. There is inquiry for common and tow. WOOL. Sales continue satisfactorily, with a strong demand. I’rices are not materially changed from last week. Next | week B.A.W.R.A, offering will consist jof Australian merinoes, greasy 4709 i hales, seem red 1850 hales ; cross-bred, 'greasy 3300 hales, scoured SO!) hales; j New Zealand cross-bred, greasy 4850 | bales, scoured 750 hales, slipe 1250 I hales. j HONEY, i The market is very quick for New Zea-' j land honey. The cheaper sort is plentiful. Jamaican white is selling at 71s per ewt (71:1 per I'i) ; New Zealand special white is quoted at 90s per ewt (93d per 1 h) , medium amber 70s to 78s per ewt (7 Ad to Bijd per lb). FRUIT. ,Supplies of American are still heavy, and fail quantities of Nova Scotian are still available. Quotations are easier, as holders are anxious Lo clear in view of the commencement of Australian arrivals. The first few cases of the latter went- marketed this week. Present quotations are : Boxes—American Winesaps 12s to 15s, Spitz 14s to 17s, Californian Nevtowns 15s to 16s, Oregon, Newtown 16s to 18s. Cape Colony fruit is in fair supply. Pears (Williams) are selling at (is to 7s per box. ' EGGS. Arrivals are again in excess of the demand. The market is weak. Present quotations are :—Danish and English, 13s fid to 16s; Italian and Irish, 12s to 14s ; Dutch, 15s to 16s ; Sty via n, 11s 6d ; Aloroccan, 9s per long hundred.