The Commercial Outlook.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 214, 5 August 1884, Page 2

The Commercial Outlook.

[Wanganui Chronicle.] The outlook, from a business point of vie", is becoming a little more hopeful. Afaer such a long spell of dullness, with prices for our staple products lower than they have ever been before, there are indications of a change for the better. Beef and nmtton me looking; up, and appearances are indicative of a permanent rise m values. Wool, too, the prices for which contribute more than anything else to good or bad time 3, shows a decided improvement. The returns to hand by the last San Francisco mail aro more satisfactory than they have been for many a long day. Our people have been^so accustomed to find that tl:e advances made on ao« count of wool sent Home woi>e m excess of the nmonnts realised m the English markets, that they could hardly believe their own eyes on Wednesday, when they found that they had really a very respectable balance m their favour, and that instead of having overdrawn on account of their produce they had a nice little sum to receive, If this improvement only continues, it will do more to restore confidence and bring about a return of prosperity than any possible political changes or combinations that might be effected. The rapid development of our frozen meat trade at Home is remarkable, and is a subject for congratulation. The New Zealand Herald, m an article on the sub' jert, says that from a statistical table forwarded by its London correspondent, showing the total amount imported into the United Kingdom during the month of May last, "it appears that the quantity of mutton alone amounted to 26,3+4cwt, as against 7212cwt m tho mmc month m 1883; and the proportion, of this, exported from !New Zealand and arriving m May 1884, was no less than 15,24.2cwt, as compared with 3662cwt din-ing that month m the year preceding. This shows a wonderful increase ; and, m so far as this colony is concerned, it is, no doubt, largely due to the facilities afforded by the two. direct steam service companies." I