BRITISH TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1928, Page 3

BRITISH TRADE.

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY. (United Press Association.—By Elec trio Telegraph.—-Copyright.) LONDON, July 1. Tho Stock Exchange has not yet entirely recovered from the setback described a fortnight ago, following the Wall street slump, but ft distinctly better feeling is evidenced, especially in speculative stock, which were most affected.

These show a general improvement. Gilt-edged and other investment stocks however, are very dull, although prices have been maintained. This is largely accounted for the usual end-of-thO-half-year money stringency, and a revival <of business may be expected next week, when a period of relative easy money conditions is likely to begin. DAIRY PRODUCE. The butter position can only be described as abnormal, for prices have advanced steadily throughout June, although the demand has been somewhat spasmodic and at no time really heavy. As a rule prices are at their lowest fit this time of the year, hut thanks to the shortage of arrivals from New Zealand and unfavourable'weather largely reducing production in all European countries, we have a- firm market, with traders 'generally anticipating the maintenance of the present firmness. The cheese market also is strong. Production in Canada has not reached expectations and English supplies are decidedly short. The consumptive demand has been good, hut possibly may not he maintained, as tho retail price, of New Zealand has been raised to 13 ponce a pound'. WOOL MARKET.

Although there is no improvement in the Bradford wool market as regards new business, reports of satisfactory result of the Brisbane wool sales have caused topmakers to take a more sanguine view of the raw material position, and revise, the opinions formerly prevalent regarding the outlook for the London sales opening on July 10th.

As a writer in a Bradford newspaper says, Brisbane- lias supplied a- muchneeded index to the wool position, and, though it is discounted in some quarters as being somewhat negligible, the fact remains that topmakers arc very hopeful about the raw values being maintained in Coleman street, and accordingly they are more inclined to bold out for bite rates. RESEARCH WORK.

The “Yorkshire Observer” has published an interesting acount of the progress made hv the. Britiscli Moot Research Association in carrying out important work in the direction of the standardisation of tile term “quality,” as related to the spinning power of wool. Already it has been ascertained that not only the usual attributes of the fibre, namely staple, length, crimp, elasticity, and diameter are concerned in its spinning ability, hut also tho shape of the fibres themselves seems to have a profound influence. Another important point is the discovery of a noil-tarry sheep branding fluid, which scours out completely. This has been tested by large numbers of sheepbreeders throughout the country, and all reports are highly favourable.— Australian Press Association.