NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11536, 22 November 1900, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

[ntoic ore ows coebisposdest.] Losdox, October 20, WOOL Whiting to me in the early part of the **& concerning the present series of wool safe, now proceeding, Messrs. Balroe said.-—" j tl) result of the auctions has to far been what was anticipated, judged by the course of business in the manufacturing districts during ?b-s past two months. Owing to the restricted state of credit on the Continent, consequent upon the recent financial troubles in tj»« North of France, the operations of fore: -, buyers in the saleroom are conducted with great caution, the market being made by th» Home tradeparticularly Bradford— art not overburdened with dear stock, as is t,v; case with Continental buyers. Prices for New Zealand and Australian merinos har» r-1. clined in average to the extent of 15 p« r cent., the depreciation being smallest tF; super-scoured wool and greatest on fa'iitv descriptions and heavy greasies. The coir- - V growths of crossbreds in the grease meet -*;•- a good demand, and realise last sales' clossn; rates. The medium qualities, however, fail short of that level by 7£ per cent., while iL= finest grades sell irregularly at a deciir.<: if 15 per cent. The finest qualities of secure] crossbreds and slipes are also 15 per cent, lower, while in medium and coarse parcels the depreciation does not amount to more than 7£ to 10 per cent." NEW ZEALAND MEAT. According to the latest market report of Messrs. H. S. Fitter and Sons, the price for New Zealand mutton continues to rise very steadily, but the demand, they say, if not good, and it is only by keeping the mirk--: very short that prices are maintained. Theris a good deal of dissatisfaction among buy-;--at the rise in price, and many of them at* now said to be going in for Dutch mutton &nd English ewes. As for New Zealand lamb. I hear from Messrs. Fitter that there is very small demand. Messrs. Fitter further report that in conseqCence of the scarcity of pork New Zealand pigs are making very good prices this, however, they consider, mu»i be regarded as somewhat exceptional, am could hardly be expected to keep the same level every year. MISCELLANEOUS. Messrs. Weddel quote New Zealand wheat at nominal rates, and remark that although sellers are prepared to accept 6d per quarter less money buyers hold aloof, and only retail quantities find purchasers. The National Mortgage and Agency Company tell me that New Zealand and Australian wheat on spot is sharing the general depression at pre?en; in existence, and in order to soil prices must be quoted lower, namely. 31s for New Zealand Tuscan, and about 30s for Hunter's and pearl. New Zealand oats are reported to bo scarce, but nominally 6d cheaper. Toe National Mortgage and Agency Compnnr'g report says that cocksfoot meets" with a little more inquiry at 33s to 34s per cwt, ex =to,-e for old 171b to 181b New Zealand seed, and at 355. c.i.f. London, for new seed. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company says that the market, for cocksfoot has been quiet, while the tendency of values has been in favour of buyers. Sales of 171b to 181b seed have been "effected at from 33s to 34s per cwt. From Messrs. Weddel I hear that New Zealand beans are in fair request, and firmly held at late rates: also, that a good inquiry has been experienced for New Zealand peas, for which fair price; are obtainable, viz., fine quality seed pe*s have fetched up to 50s, and "maples" 3& to 40s per 5041b. With reference to tallow, I hear from Messrs. Weddel that the market ha." besn without material change during the past fortnight. Reviewing the position of the tallow mark-: for the past month, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company consider that it has been satisfactory on the whole, values having, until this week, been in an upward direction.

With reference to New Zealand flax I learn from both the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company and the National Mortgage and Agency Company that the market during the past month has fluctuated considerably: the former states that after marking a decline of some £1 10s to £2 per ton. it closes firm at £18 10s to .£lB 15s per ton for good fair medium flax, and now that arrivals are likely to show a considerable falling-off provided Manila remains firm, there seems no good reason why New Zealand flax should not show a further improvement, thus bringing it more in line with the usual difference in the value of the New Zealand product as compared with Manila than has been the case for some considerable time past. From the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company I learn that the sudden rise in the butter market Has enabled *erchants to clear their stock at very satisfactory prices, as the supply of the choicest butter is not equal to the demand. The quality of the Australian butter, they remark, "at present is superior to that from New Zealand, but we feel sure as the season advances the latter will send butter of the usual high standard. It is rather interesting to note that the imports from Australasia during Sept-ember, 1900, and 1899, were about IO.OOOcwt. whereas during the same period of 1893 there were no arrivals. Today's values are £5 4s, £5 12s, and £* 16s and £5 7s respectively." Judging by the high prices that have been given for New Zealand cheese during the coming season, buyers are said by the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company to have every confidence that the market will continue at about this level for some weeks.

Messrs. Flack, Chandler and Co. announce that the market for copra has ruled steady, and at the moment shows a firmer tendency, with more disposition on the part of buyers to operate at rather improved rates.