COMMERCIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 10, 13 January 1903, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

DAIRY PRODUCE AND FROZEN MEi.T TRADE.

London, December 4. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., report; Butter. —We are now experiencing a brighter and better demand in all our markets for choicest qualities, and prices hwe a higher tendency. Since our last report the supplies from all our Home creameries have fallen off considerably, and the imports from Russia and Siberia are also cow very much reducad. In creased supplies, however, have to be reported from Denmark and Fiance, and jf the chaoses which have recently taken place in prices; the quotations from these countries miow tli) leist fluctuation. Stocks of all butters in cold storage are getting into shorter compass, and with the very seiious deficiency in the imports of colonial before us we anticipate a stronger position very shortly in all out markets. The Copenhagen official quotation was advanced 2 kroner last week, and cabled this week 1 kroner up. The weather conditions, which for weeks past have been mild and very open and so unfavourable to a large consumption of butter, have now changed, and we are having much colder weather, with hard frosts in the morning. This week's prices:—Choicest Danish', 120s to 12ls ; do Du.ch, 112s to 114s; do Irish, 110 ito 112* ; do Canadian, 108s to lllh ; do Siberian, OSs to 100s: do New Zealand, 114it>llGi. -

Chease. —The market continues firm with a fair ousumptiou taking place. It is felt, however, that if prices go much higher the sule will be consioerib'y restricted ; at the same time stocks op. all hands are !igh r , and holders haw, every confidence iu the market maintaining its strength and ultimately goiiKi dearer This week's prices : —Finest Home Cheddars, 62s to 04 1 ; do do Dan'.ops, Tils to 62a ; do Canadians, 59s to 60'. Canned Meats.—For well known brands of corned mutton and baef a go d demind is taking p'.ac-, and prices have bean advanced Is to 2; per case. In view of the Christinas tr* -j buyers are presently very fastidious., arm only give ihei.- .litenii-.m to standard bi .ntis which t'm.y know Find can depend up >a lor of clour and fine qualify of me it.' For lii-rinds, not well-known the saie is si>mev».'iat slow, and inducements of lower pi'cos have to be given buyers in ordsr to cti'ect sales For finest brands of compressed c >raed mutton in 61b roand tins we quote 32s to 33s ; and compressed corned beef in 61b tins, 283 to 30i per case. Other brands may bo quoted at 29i to 30s for mutton, and 26s to 27s for beef.

Frozsn Meats —The position of the markec during the last fortnight has remained fairly strong. Last week the short snap of cold weather assisted the consumption, while this week the uncertainty of developments in the River Plate has caused holders to be very firm. The new array contracts which stimulate for the supply of colonial frozen mutton only came into force this week, and the numerous contractors in various parts of the country are showing anxiety to secure supplies. Additional firmness is thereby given to the market.

.Trade on the whole has been better since our last report. Beef sold freely last week, but the consumption was distinctly smaller at the close. Undernoted we give you the prices ruling this week :

Mutton.— Scotch, UA to 7d ; English 6d to Gil ; Dutch, oi'to s£d ; New Zealand prime, od to 4Jd to 4£d ; do. inferior and ewes, 4]d : River Plata, 4^d.

Lamb.—New Zealand prime, 5Jd to Beef.—New Zealand hinds, i ; \ i to 5d ; do. fores, 4d to 4£d ; Queensland hinds, 4Jd ; do. fores, 3J.i ; River Plate hinds, 4sd to 4id ; do. fores, 3/id to 4d ; American chilled hinds, 6|d to (5:Jd ; do. do. fores, 4|d to 4}d : ranche chilled hinds, bid to «V!d : do. do. 'ares, 3/ ; d to 4{d.