(From Messrs, Noil, Murray & Ca. Piece Goods Trade Report of Srd January.)
Our last Report was dated the 24th December, since when the Christmas and New Year holidays have diverted the minds of Importers to a great extent from the worries of business. A few of the more enterprising have managed to do a little, but the Banks have only been open for business on three days since the date we last wrote, until to-day, and it is almost impossible to do anything now-a-days without being in close touch with the movements of that all important factor, exchange.
Fast the clove of the Century news was received here of the acceptance by the Chinese Plenipotentiaties, of what was really the ultimatum presented by the Powers. The alacrity with which this has been done has raised some doubts as to its sincerity, and although it may be the wish of the Enuperor to agree to any terms, so long as peace may be restored, it is exceedingly dubious whether he will permitted to hold to them. Some confirmation, however, to the course of action he has taken, is to be found in the report that has just. Come to hand that Prince Tuan and other reactionaries have raised the standard of rebellion, which would aesist matters, if they have not already laid hands on the Emperor's person, as the Foreign Powers could then reasonably defend him. Otherwise, if he has been disposed of, a widespread and serious rebellion will have to be quelled. We are by no means out of the wood yet, and it is satisfactory to note that there is no sign of the early withdrawal of any of the Foreign troops now in Ciixa.
"ks our custom has been for, some years past, we give the following comparative Table of prices current at the close of the year. Though most of these are the results of Auction sales, and are undoubtedly somewhat under prices ruling in the private market, they serve to convey a slight idea of the present position.
Values of Standard Chops of Piece Goods at the close of each Year during the last Decade.
2800 1s02_ 1803 ses 1895 106 1ss9_ 1900
Exchange on London, 7...
49 3s3 ana} se] gyn any 2/83 2/104
Cotton in Liverpool Grey Shirtings—6-lbs. Lotus 64-reed Blue Lighthouse -reed Red American, Sheotings—English 1 American American, Long Blls Lastings 3 wok G.G.R.
Spanish Stripes,—English—Searl Ruy 1993) Indian 3 68.50, 7.00 55s! 75:00 75:00
'The question of 'Tari m is at last forming a tangible shape, and the recen' published suggestions of the GrRaax Associntion must be highly commended, and it is hoped fully upheld by the other Associ ons now working in the interests of fair trade and no favour.
Lists have been circulated by the Chamber of Commerce for the annual returns of Stocks on the SIst December. It is very desirable that these should all be in and published by the 10th inst. Although in the hands of Foreigners, it is estimated that a largo Proportion of the Exatasut goods here belong to the Natives. "A glance at the Customs Daily Returns will, we are afraid, serfouely shake the confidence that has hitherto trusted to the figures we publish compiled from those returns, for during the interval no less than sixteen declarations of additional cargoes have been made, going back as much as five or six months, and none later that October. Of these statistics had been kept in Pextxe there might he sume excuse, or do they possibly refer to the goods released from Bond? 80 we have them in twice The Maxcuxster market is decidedly firm and buying for Crux much curtailed thereby. There is no change in the quotation for Cotton, namely 54d, The monthly export figures have not yet come in, but for the last fortnight they were again 6 million yards of Plain Cottons. New Yous appears to be getting alittle easier, the latest quotation for Pepperell Drills coming 10). which is six penge'down, "Telegraphic instructions, we understand, have been sent for the shipment of a fair quantity of goods that had been held The market for Yarns is firm and advancing, prices being up two to three taels for Jaraxsse and Locat spinnings, but not 0 much for Iyptax. Cotton is also dearer, best steam machine ginned being quoted 16.70 net.
PIECE GOODS.—We cannot make out that a very extensive business has' been done since our last, nor do the late Auctions betoken avery strong demand. In fact it looks as though the recent news is having rather a subduing effect on operators. There is no special news from any of our dependencies, but the regrettable loss of the first real passenger and enngo steamer on its maiden trip between ouaxe and Cuuxcxixe is of special interest to this trade: it is, however, hoped that "out of evil good may come" an the Authorities will be forced to do some thing in the way of improving the channel.
Cotton Yarn.—Inprax.—The market has been active at frm and advancing prices and quite a respectable amount of business has bee done. Although the demand has been fairly general for all the leading counts No. 16s. have once more come to the fore, evidentlY owing to the growing scarcity of Jaraxse spinnings. For No. 10s prices show an improvement of about half tae), and for 16s, anil 20s. fully one tael per bale, the total settlements during the interval amounting to 6,550 bales, as follows:—No. 10s. 1,307 Bales.—Hongkong Mill ¥60.50/61.00, Gold Mohur $62.00, Imperial '£63.00/63.50, Sun Mill ¥63.50, Anglo-Indian, Mule '¥63.50/64.00, Connaught 64.00, Howard & Bullough S64.00/64.25, Sorad $64.50, Tea Carrier $64.50/64.75, James Greaves *£64.50/65.00, and Seadeshi (Kose) $65.00.
No. 12s. 100 Bales.—Damoder Lukkmidass $69.00, and Morarju 565.00 No. 168. 3,268 Bales.—Western India, (Pony Carriage and Agasicadi) 67.00, Empress Milt and Anglo-Indian, Mute $68.00 Bombay National ¥68.00/68.50, B. D. Sassoon, Dragon 370.507 1d do. Ancestial Worship and Drum & Bell $73.00/13.15.
No. 20s. 1,875 Bales.—Soonderdass, Mule $12.00, Empress Mili ¥72.50/73.25, Imperial $73.25, China Milt '$73.00/73.50, Vithaldas Copoldas (Woman) 373.50, Queen (Balloon) $73.25, Indo-China ¥73.00/74.00, James Greaves and Currimbhoy Bfule 74.50, Jubilee Ring '¥74.50/74.75, Connaught and. D. Saaioon, Lantern Bearer ¥74.75, Howard and Bullough €74.25/75.25, Anglo-Malan, Ring '¥74.75)75.50, and Tea Carrier $75.50.
The se. Chusan brought up 2,901 bales.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.