COMMERCIAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9, 8 May 1912, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON MARKETS. Following is a copy of tho report (dated March 28th) received by the N.Z.L. and M.A. from its London office;— Wool.—The industry in common with other trades has been adversely affected by the protracted strike of coal miners, some of the mills having been closed while others are mostly working short time. Owing to the unfavourable position of affairs prevailing it was decided to postpone the opening of the second series until 11th April, the limit of fresh arrivals being increased to 250,000 bales. As a result there was during the earlier part of tho period under review a fair inquiry privately—partly on American account —and a good many sales were effected at firm to rather higher prices, and while latterly the demand has ceased, -values at Bradford—particularly for crossbred—are well maintained. The postponement of the March sales necessitated a rearrangement of the remaining fixtures, and at a meeting of the Committee of the Colonial Wool Merchants Association it was decided to hold live instead of six series, the dates of commencement to bo as follows:—Third series 2nd July, limit 250,000 bales; fourth series 21 tli September, no limit; fifth senes 26th November, no limit. The list of arrivals for the second series was closed on 25th,.instant, the total quantity—including old stock—available being 272,000 bales. Sheepskins.—Owing to the strike the auctions have been postponed until. 27th instant. About 5000 bales are catalogued, the offerings being restricted to shipments available for the sales originally fixed for March 14th. The dates of the later sales are unchanged. Tallow.—There have been five public auctions since our last advice, and at these with an improved demand an increased volume of business has been put through at prices which have tended in sellers’ favour. At the close largely no doubt owing to the difficulty of transport occasioned by the coal strike the market is quiet but firm. If tiie present conditions continue prices may give way a lit tie but we do not think that there is much liklihood of a serious decline in the near future. A good business has been passing in Australasian for arrival and good to fine mutton has been sold at 33s 6d to 345. Fair beef at 325; and finest edible beef at 34s to 34s 6d; all per cwt c.i.f. We quote ex warehouse: Finest mutton 35s to 35s 9d, fair to good 34s to 34s 6d, edible beef 34s to 355, and fair to good 32s 9d to 33s per cwt.

J Frozen Meat.—For some time after g the date of our last .report the. do-' o mand for New Zealand mutton ruled 8 extremely slow and supplies, in excess of requirements values deeliti-i ,’ ed i]d per lb. Tlecen'tly there■ lias' n been more inquiry for medium weight ; carcase, and for these descriptions, ’ prices are now slightly firmer. Aus--0 tralian and River Plate mutton have 0 been in fair request' at" about last quotations. A good trade is now being experienced for,. Australian Jajfjb, and with supplies hi-,moderate dainfpiss prices have advanced Ad per lb."'For New Zealand lamb there is a strong demand, recent arrivals going freely into consumption, with the result that prices generally have been in sellers’ favour. There has been a fair trade passing in River Plate chilled beef, and lor the most part, with only moderate quantities offering, higher prices have been realised. Frozen beef has , been more inquired for and in the case of Now Zealand, 1 which is in smaller supply, an advance of Jd to id per lb has to bo recorded. We quote: Scotch and English sheep 7-Jd to Bkl, North Island do. 3fd to 4d, Australian do. 3d to 3fd, River Plate do. 3jd to 3id, New Zealand ewes 3d to 3Jd, Canterbury lamb spi to s|d, North Island do. syd to old, Australian do. 41 d to sd, River Plate do. 4fd to 4:^cl. River Plate chilled beef (hinds) fpl to 4-|d, do. fores 3yd ■to 3/,d, do. frozen beef (hinds) 3Jd to 3i'd, do. fores 3d to 3Jd, Australian beef (hinds) 3fd to 3yd, do. fores none, 1 New Zealand beef (hinds) 3|d to 4d, do. fores 3jd to 3.',d per lb off the hooks at Smithfield. Neivior, King’s Weekly Report. 1 At the Haymarket on Saturday last I had a large entry of pigs, but there was only a moderate demand and prices : eased somewhat as compared with last : sale. I quote: Slips and weaners 5s i to Its, small and backward sorts 3s ; to 4s, small stores IGs 6cl to 19s Gd, 1 medium do. £1 4s to £1 7s Gd, pork- ! ei - s £1 17s Gd to £1 18s Gd. A large ; quantity of harness, tools, etc., mot | with a good demand, i At the Mart.-—A good entry of poultry came to hand. Prices ruling ! wore about par with last sale. I have 1 an unlimited demand at present for 1 pullets, and all classes of killing birds, j and should advise vendors to market | their surplus stock. Killing liens is 3d to Is 9d, killing roosters Is 5d to ; 2s Id, ducks Is 9d to 2s 7d, chicks 9cl, potatoes 7s 9d to 8s per cwt, onions 12s Gd per cwt, cabbage Is Gd per doz., cauliflowers 3s Gd per doz. A large quantity of furniture and sundries sold in favour of buyers. Fruit: About 450 cases came to baud during the week, chiefly apples and pears, j Dessert apples 2s to 6s Gd, cooking do. Is 9d to 5s 3d, dessert pears 2s Gd to 6s Gd, cooking do. 2s 3d to j 3s 9d according to size of case and quality.