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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1748, 6 September 1905, Page 73

Mr Julius Matton, reviewing the present statistical nosition of lead in the United Kingdom during the, first half of the year, states that imports have amounted to 112,000 tons, as against 124,600 for the corresponding period of 1904, showing a decrease of 12,600 tons. About a quarter of this falling off is borne by London, and the other three-quarters bv the provinces. Mr Matton, however, points out, as far as the metropolis is concerned, the supply has really been the same as last year, the slackness of the demand in the ..country having allowed a considerable quantity of the metal to be diverted to London in the early spring, and a deficiency only being observable in June. If stocks brought over* be taken into account it is therefore evident that consumption has been well maintained in London, and that, despite talk to the contrary, trade lias been as good as, if not better than, in 1904. .In the provinces business has been dull until lhtel.y, but now the normal quantity is being absorbed, and consequently imports must "considerably increase’ to meet the current general demand. The total consumption is at present about 20,000 tons per month, whereas the average monthly import so far has only been 18,600 tons.