COMMERCIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5519, 20 March 1896, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

[Per Press Association.] LONDON, March 18. A medium selection of wool was offered to-day, but competition is still very active. A Bill, introduced in the House of Commons by Mr Mildmay, M,P. for Lotness, enforcing the labelling of foreign meat and cheese, has been read a second time by a majority of 150. Marck 1&, Mr Ritchie, president of the Board* of Trade, supported Mr Mildina/s' Bill on condition that it was sent fefte^r to a select committee again. Its pv&visioMs as at present drafted were imtvorfeablei. and the practical difficiilties in' the- way were- great. The Times considers that the measure will not prevent fraud, aud the' machiniery will be expensive. Silver is at 2s 7£d.. Wool is very firm, and will probably remain so till the close of the series.. NAPIER, March 20. The following cable has been received from Messrs Nelson Brothers, London : — At to-day's market the quotations are — Best Canterbury mutton 3£d per lb ; best Dunedin mutton 3sd per lb ; best North Island and Napier mutton 2Jd per lb. The outlook is bad. Stocks of Australian and River Plate sheep are very heavy.