COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1706, 22 December 1919, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. (Pes Pukss Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. The High Commissioner's -jnarkct cable, dated London 20, is:—The wool sales close to-day. There was good competition throughout, from the Home trade. The French purchases since the first week have declined, principally on account of the rise in the exchange. The market was regular towards the closo compared with tho, last series. Superior merinos were 5 fo TO per cent higher, ordinary 15 per cent lower, crossbreds line 1\ per cent highor, medium and coarse 15 per cent lower. The current value of crossbreds is: Fine 2s 8d to 3s lid, medium Is lid to % Bd, coarse Is 7d to Is lOd. Hemp: The Manila market is (inn and actrivo. "J" grade October to March shipment was quoted at £53 to buyers beginning this \veek,-and later sold at. £53 15s and yesterday £54. February- to April shipments have been sold for £54 10s. The (jiitput from January 1 to December 13 was 1,045,000 bales. The New Zealand market is firm, with a moderate demand. "High point" on spot is quoted at £52 for sellers; October to December shipments have been sold for £49, "Fair" on spot iTas been sold for £46 15s. The nominal quotation for October to December shinmerit is now £46.

LONDON WOOL SALES'. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received December 22, 10.15 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 19. The'wool sales closed, with prices slightly .below the best, rates of the series. Competition was rather less keen. Good combing and greasy niorinos sold at about 5 per cent, below the opening average; faulty and scoured were slightly weaker; carbonising sorts are unchanged: finer erossbreds a shade easier;"medium coarse, which were irregular throughout, closed about 10 to l(j per cent, below the highest level touched in November. Slipes and scoureds were'about ft penny below, and merino lambs maintained opening rates. Crossbreds .went in buyers' favour, the weaker 'toiie beingattributed to buyers' ap'iireu'ei]sions: regarding the future, also ■ lln 1 vagaries; of the foreign • exchanges and the vast quantities being marketed, which exceeded the Home trades' machinery capacity.