PRODUCE REPORT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 51

PRODUCE REPORT.

THE RABBIT TRADE DEPRESSED. FROZEN MEAT IMPROVING. BUTTER FIRM. The rabbit trade has, according to the latest report of the Produce Commissioner in England, been father depressed for some time, but lately prices have been somewhat better. In his report, which is dated January 11th, Mr Cameron states that an attempt was made some weeks ago to clear off at auction stocks that had been held in store for three months, but although offers were made the lots were passed in at 14s per case, of twenty-four. There were 25,573 crates offered from Victoria. Several exporters, he adds, are in England looking into the state of the trade. On© of them has brought Home some boxes of frozen soles, and is hopeful of being able to open up a trade in them. In frozen meat, trade has made some improvement. Quotations show, if anything, that the slight doubt felt as to th©

future a short time ago has been got over, and values have recovered their former level. Stocks of mutton are, of course, very short and in few hands. Lamb, considering the time of year, has been selling being kept up by the high rates- for mutton. Beef, while not higher, has recovered its firmness. Canterbury mutton has ruled from 4fd to 5d per lb; other brands about id per lb less. Lamb realises about 6d. Beef, hinds 4d, fores 3^d. Mr Cameron says that prices have, ruled firmly for choicest butters for the previous six weeks at 109 s to 102 s. During the previous few days an even better feeling had been displayed by agents and Is advance had been made on these quotations, which were 10s per cwt. higher than at. this time last year. Front careful inquiry he found that the bulk of the New Zealand factory cutters had so far this season been rated as “choicest,” and consequently had realised the above quotations. He had only had two complaints made to him regarding the quality of the butter. Both were of slight “fishiness.” The cheese market, he says, has not been at all bright lately. Prices are too high for brisk business. Purchases have been made in the colony this season at such high prices that holders are unable to sell at a profit, and they are unprepared to meet buyers who would purchase if prices wer© reduced to, say, 525.. Such prices as 54s to 55s per cwt are being held; , for, and little business is doing. Mr Cameron states that he believes holders will haw© to meet buyers. Paragraphs are being inserted in numerous. English newspapers pointing out that by the reeent decision of the Court at Blackpool, purveyors who sell as “New Zealand” meat from any other country are not merely guilty of moral fraud, but render themselves liable to prosecution and heavy penalties. The same authority says that trade in hemp has been interrupted by the holidays. At the auction sales on January 9th, 773 bales of New Zealand were offered by the various brokers,, but only 374 were sold - The bidding was verydull. Sales of hemp in store-—or on spot, as it is termed—are now • being effected on the same terms of payment as c.i.f. That is to say, the spot discount of 3f per cent., which was formerly allowed, is now done away with, as well as some other differences in charges and allowances, making in all about 15s per ton. The Commissioner adds that his weekly cable quotations will in future be for spot sales effected on c.i.f. terms Prices realised on January 9th were : —New Zealand common to good fair, £2O 10s to £2l 10s. Manila, fair current, £29 to £3O. The stocks of New Zealand hemp in London on December 31st were 1537 tons, as against only 109 on the same date twelve months ago ; and of Manila hemp, 20,797 tons, as against 9998 tons.

COMMERCIAL CABLES.

SYDNEY, February 20. Wheat, chick, 2s 2d to 2s 3d; milling, 2s 6d to 2s 74 d. Flour, £6 to £6 10s; Manitoban, £lO 10s to £lO 15s. Oats, feeding, New Zealand, Is lid to 2s 2d; local, Is 7d to Is lid; milling, 2s 4d. Barley, feeding, 2s 2d; seeding, 2s 4d to 2s sd. Maize, 2s 81$ to 2s lid. Bran, B’-d to Bfd. Pollard, 9d to 9|d. Potartoes, Circulars, £5 to £5 10s : ; local, £4 to £5 10s. Onions, £6 10s to £7. Butter, dairy, 7|-d to 8d; creamery, 9d. Bacon, New Zealand, flitches, od to sfd. Hams, B|d to 9d. MELBOURNE, February 20. IVheat, 2s 8d to 2s Bjd. uats, Algerian, Is 5d to Is 9d; st-out, up to 2s. Barley, 2s lOd to 3s 4d. Maize, 2s 7d to 2s lOd. Bran, 10c! to 10jd'. Pollard, IQJd. Potatoes, £4 to £4 10s. Onions, £6 to £6 10s. ADELAIDE, February 20. Wheat, 2s 7*d to 2s Bd. Flour, £6 os. Oats, Algerian, Is 7d to Is lOd; stout, 2s to 2s 6d. ' Brail,; Pollard, lid. LONDON, 19. Wheat at Mark Lane is 'quoted 6d per quarter lower on the" week. The Invercauld’s oargo of Victorian wheat sold at 30s 9d per quartiri. Butter—-A meeting of butter importers appointed a strong deputation to wait upon shipping companies in connection with the delivery Question.