NEW ZEALAND DPRODCCE IN LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2504, 19 March 1902, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND DPRODCCE IN LONDON.

(Feoh Oue Ows Correspondent.) LONDON, January 31. I hear from Messrs Balme and Co. that during the past week there hao been little change in the position of either merino or crossbred wool. Competition ior both descriptions contmcs animated, and latterly American operators have taken some fair-sized li'ies of the better classes of merinos in the grease at full prices, while German and French consumers arc eager purchasers of medium to good parcels on the basis of the rates current during the earlier days of the berics. Demand for pcorlygrewn. and faulty shipments, however, is hardly so keen, and occasionally some hitle lnegularity is noticeable in the results obtained for these jsorts. An active inquiry is still experienced for crossbred wools on American account, and Messrs Balme inform me that 4arge lines of medium quality greasies have been-secured for shipment to the United States, at the advance of 10 to 15 per con*, previously quoted. The finer grades of greases, js well as slips and scouredb, sell re.idiiy at the level of values established at the opening of the auctions. The series hns been curtailed by one day, and, ad now arranged, will clos° on Wednesday, the sth prox.

I hear from Messrs Weddel to-day that the demand for Xew Zealand and Australian butter is fully equal to the supply, v.-hil" prices show an advance of about 2s per cwt for "' choicest brauds. There is a growing demand lor colonial butter, at 90s to 9C=, l>ut arraals of this quality are noflarge, a^r* are consequently cold soon. In fact, the quality '.mtnble for 1"> per lb retail is dunini-tvrg weekly, aud a. keener competition for aiiy pure, clean-fia\oured butter selling from 92s to 98s, :s being experienced e\ery day. The Dsnish official quotation has beer raised thib week by 2 kioner, and now stands at 94 kroner agambt 103 at the same time last year. The low prices at which Danish butter has been offer. tig of late have brought an increased demand, but buj ers ha\ c not yet realised that prices must make an advance in tne near futu.e. New Zealand cheese is meeting a. good demand at 50s to 51s for strictly "choicest, with a few shillings less for '" finest. '