COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 16923, 21 December 1918, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

An Order in Council fixes the maximum price of bacon and ham, when sold by a manufacturer or wholesale merchant on the usual trade terms obtaining on December 1, 1917 : Sides, Is IJjd per lb; hams, la 2id; rolls, Is 3Jjd. The order will come into operation on January 6. In peace times Holland obtained her tanning materials chiefly from abroad. Since the war she has been thrown on her own resources. The home supply -of hides was insufficient, and an attempt ’was made to make tanning extract. A firm in Steenwiyk started tho first factory, then a syndicate was formed, with the same object. Negotiations with the already existing factory for partnership broke down, and the syndicate set about to found a second factory. In this way Holland wiF gradually develop a productive extract industry, for which the leading leather manufactories have subscribed the funds. — 1 Dor Welthandel,’ August 9. The Japanese Agricultural Department has established a special office with seven experts and 20 assistants, which is empowered io arrange for three sheep farms in Hokkaido, Ibaraki, and Kiushiu. Australia is furnishing 9CO sheep to stock these; if the plan proves successful, model farms will be established in other prefectures, and private breeders will bo furnished with the best-bred animals. It is anticipated that 10 years will be required for tho project to reach its full development. NEW BRITISH INDUSTRIES. A number of new industries and existing industries have recently been developed in the United Kingdom. Lists of these industries have, been compiled bv the Board of Trade, London, and contain the names of manufacturers, which may be obtained from H.M. Trade. Commissioner’s offices iu Melbourne and Sydney, of various articles, the production o£ wblcb v.-as not carried on in tho United Kingdom prior to the war, or which was caricd on to an inconsiderable extent only. Among the. industries referred to are brushwnre. buttons, gramophone needles and souml. boxes, lead pencils, cigarette paper, sponges, magnetos, wire netting making machines, tapestries, aniline dyes, synthetic drags, typewriter accessories, school chalks, and leather substitutes. The list contains many other articles, showing that the United Kingdom is going to be well ahead in tho race for commercial supremacy.

JAPANESE DYE INDUSTRY'. The Japanese dye industry has rapidly developed during the war period. The factories number more than 100, exclusive of small ones turning out inferior' goods, and the total amount of investment is said to be more than 15,000,000 yen. The domestic market, however, is still dependent largely on supplies from foreign countries. After the war only part of tho manufacturers and part of their products, tho ‘Japan Advertiser’ states, may ho able to bold their own against the invasion of foreign manufacturers. In view of Government investigations into the advisability of protecting the industries against foreign competition after the war, some leading manufacturers of dyestuffs have started the discussion of a plan to request the authorities to erect a high tariff wall around the Empire, and help the further development of the dyestuff industry in Japan. It is believed that soon the request will be made in some form. METAL CONTROL. RESTRICTIONS EASED. ANNOUNCEMENT OF STOCKS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 18. (Received December 21, at 8.45 a.rn.) Tho Ministry of Munitions announces that, stocks of important metals hold on December 1, exclusive of old metal scrap, are : Copper 27.530 toms. spelter (zinc) 25,312 tons, aluminium 10,215 tons, soft pig lead 49,111 tons, nickel 1,735 tons, antimony 3,303 tons. . Similar announcements as to stocks will be made on tho first of every month. Largo quantities of scran, mainly brass, are in stock. The Ministry are now cancelling largo number* of orders issued by them restricting dealings in non-ferrous metals. WOOL SALES. AMERICA RESUMES FIRST. AUSTRALIAN LOTS SELL WELL. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, December 19. An auction sale at Boston of Govern-ment-owned wool included 10.COO bales of Australian wool. Bidding was spirited, and the offerings were eagerly taken. Eleven bales of Australian (<l6 per cent, shrinkage) brought 92 cents per lb; 188 bales (45 per cent, shrinkage), 93 cents; 253 bales (47 per cent, shrinkage), 86 cents. Other lots realised from 5o to 86 cents. The highest price obtained was Idol per lb for 31 bales of greasy, 86 per cent, shrinkage. NATIONAL BANK. [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 21. The general -manager of the National Bank of Now Zeeland, Ltd., to-day received a cable message from London advising that the Board of Directors have declai-ed an interim dividend for the halfyear to September 30 last at the rate of 12 per cent, per annum, which will be 1*44 4a t.ha Dorp Men Jaauacz. 6,