LONDON COMMERCIAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10320, 21 December 1896, Page 6

LONDON COMMERCIAL NOTES.

[from our own correspondent.] London, November 6. WOOL. On making enquiry as to the latest position of the wool market I am informed that during the past fortnight there has been a more or less continuous demand in London for wool, mostly still on American account, and since the close of the last auctions some 2000 bales of New Zealand and Australian have changed hands at from 5 to 10 per cent, in advance of the closing prices of the late-sales. I learn that the next series of public wool sales in Antwerp will open on the 10th inst., and close on the 14th. The (inutilities advertised comprise some 10,000 bales of River Plato wool, 1400 bales of New Zealand and Australian, and '200 bales of Cape. The •final sheepskin sales of the present year at tin; Wool Exchange will take place on the l'Jth inst., when 4020 bales of view Zealand and Australian skins arc announced tor sale. NEW ZEALAND MEAT. My latest information to-day as to the frozen meat market is that no improvement can be recorded this week, either in demand or in prices. All classes of New Zealand meat aro very slow of sale, and the tendency appears to be rather downward tiiau the contrary, The highest price quoted for the best Canterbury is 3JJ, but 3jd is a much more usual price. And some Southland mutton also has made the latter figure. North Island mutton has not gone above 3.{d. A good deal of Dutch and Danish and other European mutton hue recently come into the market at a price very little higher than that of frozen meat, while it is said to bo of more uniform quality. It has consequently rather crowded out New Zealand meat for the time. Although the season is quite oyer for lamb, no fewer than 5900 New Zealand lambs have just been landed by the Fifeshire, but they are not bringing more than from :>|u to 3Jd per lb. DAIRY PRODUCE. From Messrs. W. Weddel and Co. I learn to-day that the market for colonial butter is inclined to drag, so that sales are being made only by consenting to a reduction of prices. This week's prices are fully 4s lower than those of last week. On the other hand, the New Zealand butter brought by the lonic had sold very freely and largely at prices ranging from 100s to lllk There is much complaint at the action of the Danish Butter Committee in London, who, it is declared, have reduced the price of their butter by 9s in the course of seveti days, which reduction is said not to be at all justified by the state of the market. Neosssarily this reduction in the price of Danish butter has brought down that of New Zealand butter also, and it is asserted quite without need. The latest quotations this afternoon for New Zealand butter are its follow:—Choicest, 108s to UOs; best, lOOstolOSs; secondary, HIM to 90s. There is no New Zealand cheese in the market just now, but English Cheddar is selling at 74s to 78s, which is Ms higher than t.he price at this time last year. GENERAL. Mr. H. C. Camsron, of the New Zealand Produce Stores, Manchester, was in Loudon yesterday, and called to see me. Mr. Cameron points out that however successful he bus been In the undertaking to popularise New Zealand meat and dairy produce, it has only been at the cost of a large expenditure of capital, labour, time, and thought, and he thinks it rather bard that the louden should be left on the shoulders of a private individual. He urges that the New Zealand producers ought to do more—much more—to help themselves in this nutter.. They, he said, had derived fir more proportionate benefit from bis exertions than he has himself, because in so many instances tlio result of people learning trough his efforts how 'excellent New Z-ii.: .ad produce is that they are apt to go to their own ordinary tradesman, whether butcher or grocer, tell him of ' their discovery, and ask him if ho cannot supply them with the same stuff. " Much the same views were expressed to me yesterday by Mr. Henry Gray, with whom I had a long chat. "One primary necessity," no said, " is to have distributing agencies that are interested in New Zealand produce alone". . Otherwise, it is unreasonable to expeot that any linn will give the preference to New Zealand meat and butter over the'products of • their'clients in other colonies or countries. The Agent-General remarked trf me to-day that one result of Mr. Cray's tour through the provinces bad been strongly to confirm his (Mr. Reeves') views as to the utterly unsatisfactory state of the frozen meat trade in the .provincial districts—that is to say, the utter absence of auy suitable mode of distribution. "New Zealand producers," said Mr. Reeves, "cannot be too plainly warned, and cannot recognise too clearly that they have to face Hi great light with the River Plate, especially in supplying the labouriug classes. The River Plate people are sparing no means of establishing and pushing, the trade in their meat, and as against this New Zealand hitherto has done virtually nothing. Unless more active measures are taken the consumption of New Zealand meat will be confined to the upper, and upper middle classes, who aro unprejudiced enough to judge it on its merits. As for these classes, it is all important that the most strenuous efforts should be used to keep the standard of the meat sent Home to the highest possible point of excellence." ' Finally, I had a talk to-day with Mr. 0. R. Valen'ine on his return from New Zealand. Mr. Valentino thinks that colonial butter will maintain a fair price this season, although he regards it as hopeless to-expect auy return of the excessive rates of a year or two ago. Those, he holds, were quite exceptional, and cannot be looked for again. But he thinks that good remunerative prices will rule, and that is, perhaps, as much as producers can fairly look for. 'But he utters a word of warning as to the likelihood of increased competition on the part of America. The American producers are, he says, taking careful note of tlio advanco made by the British colonies in connection with the production of butter and cheese, and intend making every effort to keep their dairy produce well to the front in the market. It will, therefore, be all the more incumbent upon New Zealand producers to take the greatest possible care that their produce is as good in every way as butter and cheese can bo made, The House Steward desires through our columns to thank Sissy and Howard Gentdrige for a box of toys and illustrated papers for children's ward, and residents of Sy-monds-strcet for a parcel of books for use of patients. J. Tonson Garlick has opened his new premises. Ladies need not go upstairs. Spacious carpet and linoleum show rooms on the ground floor. If you wish to furnish in good taste and at the smallest outlay, goto " The People's" furnishing warehouse. The largest stock and the most extensive assortment in Auckland of gents' mercery and ready-made clothing is being shown by Smith and Caugliey— In our report of the annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Prince Albert College, a typographical error occurred, which made the headmaster's report state that the number of new pupils had been strikingly " low," whereas it should have read, that the number was strikingly "large." Speculators akd Others should consult Mr. Thornes, 91, Queen-street, at once about the purchase of desirable blocks of land and bouses. Delays are dangerous. » Sick Hkadaoiir.—" I write to tell you of the wonderful good UNO'S 'FRUIT SALT' has done me. For years past I have been a constant sufferer from Severe Headache, and all the modi. cine I tried did me no good. Nothing I could get seemed of any use. At last I was induced to try your ' FRUIT SALT.' I confess I was very unwilling to do so at Hist, hut after I had taken it a few times I felt so much hotter that 1 continued to take it. I am happy to say that I very rarely havo a headache now, and when I do fool it coming on UNO'S 'FRUIT SALT' soon gives mo relief. I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude to you for your wonderful FRUIT SALT. I always rccom. mend it, as 1 think it cannot be too well known. To avoid any annoyance from publicity, only givo my initials.-! am, yours faithfully, K. W. M. To Mr. J. C. Eno, February 25, 1884." Caution.— rights are protected 111 every civilised country. Examine each buttle, anil see that tho capsule is marked Eno's "Fruit Salt;" 'without it yon have been imposed 011 by worthless imitations.—Sold by all Chemists. 3 Painliws Corn Cure. — This preparation completely cures the most painful corns, hard nrsoft. A few applications only required to doaden the pain. It is also most useful in removing and thickening of the epidermis, or horny portion of the ,skin. Full directions attached to each bottle. Price One .Shilling.—J Edson, Chemist, Auckland.