BRITISH AND FOREIGN

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3335, 10 December 1883, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

[ByElectric Telegeaph—Copyright.] [Reuter’s Agency.] [Received Dec. 10, 1883,0,35 a.m,] CommercialLondon, Deo. 7. Consols remain at 100-|. New Zealand securities are quoted as follows:—s per cent 10-40 loan, 105 ; 5 per cent 1889 loan, 104; 4£ per cent 1879-1904 loan, lOlf; 4 per cent inscribed stock, 100 f. The market rate of discount has further advanced i, and is now 2J per cent. Bank rate, 3 per cent. Wheat is steady at the following prices : —Adelaide, ex store, 46; New Zealand, 38s 6d to 43s 2d ; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 325. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,810,000 quarters, a decrease of 440,000 quarters as compared with last week. Scotch pig iron has fallen 6d per ton, and is now quoted at 47s f.o.b. in the Clyde. Galvanised iron, 26 gnage, packed in cases, f.o.b. at London, is at £lB 10s. At to-day’s wool auction, 11,200 bales were offered. Prices continue firm. Dec. 8. There are no changes to report in the markets for colonial securities or produce. The colonial wool sales closed to-day with a hardening tendency in prices generally. Daring the series 150,000 bales have been sold and 10,000 bales held over for the next sales. [Special to Press Association.] London, Dec. 6. A small parcel of frozen meat by tho Lusitania has been placed upon the market and realised s£d. The financial proposals of the Australasian Conference are considered vague. The “ Pall Mall Gazette ” states that the decisions of the Conference form an epoch marking an event which may modify tho entire future of the colonies* which clearly declare to the world, “ hands off from the Pacific.” England it says, cannot rightly refuse their serious demands, especially if tho colonies are willing to bear the expense of the necessary action. If the colonial mood proves permanent,the colonies can force the Imperial hand. The “St. James’Gazette ” says that Lord Derby cannot curtly negative the moderate and carefully arrived at decisions of tho Conference. The first match of the Australian team in England is to be played at Lords, against Sheffield Park on May 12.

Dec. 8. The “ Times ” says that if the Australian Colonies agree to federate, the annexation problem will have been more than half solved. The “ Standard ” saya that the Colonies, having Slimited their demands to certain Pacific Islands, they should insist that over the remainder England should maintain the peace o£ the Pacific, with a right to exclude all disturbing elements. The “ Morning Advertiser " strongly supports the decision arrived at by the Conference. It is reported that England has seized an island near the eastern terminus of the Panama Canal. The “Times" speaks in commendatory terms of Eusden’s “ History of Aus* tralia." The Eight Hon H. C. E. Childers, in his speech at Knottingley, said that the Colonial Empire must necessarily expand ; but its statesmen must wisely regulate the measure of expansion. The French Chamber of Deputies Is indignant at the critical relations existing with China having been concealed from it. Five thousand of the Soudan rebels are reported to be in the neighborhood of Sennaar. A mob has destroyed a chapel in Canton. Mr Trevelyan, Chief Secretary for Ireland, states that the reports received from the County Magistracy are that rents are now being paid, and that the system of boycotting is being discontinued. A treaty with Spain is probable. The Italian Government have agreed to allow the Australian mails to be landed at Brindisi. Money is steadily hardening.