The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-15 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

Under date of Tuesday, the Dundee Advertiser
reports :—" The market to-day has been flat, and
transactions are of quite a retail nature. As opera-
tions are confined to the supply of present wants,
prices are rather lower, and more disposition is being
shown to meet buyers. Flax continues to be held
firmly, but the amount of business doing is small,
as fresh supplies are expected soon. At auction
to-day, of 213 tons flax, tow, and codilla offered,
125 tons were sold, but, as the bidding was slack,
lower prices had to be taken than at previous sales.
The Russian markets show no change, and, while
about old prices are asked, there is little business
being done. Dealers show little anxiety to quit
their stocks, but, at the same time, wish to have
offers made them. At Riga, K continues to be
held at 48 roubles, and several transactions have
taken place recently at this Fie?. Here there is
still great unwillingness shown by spinners to ope-
' rate on contract, there being no encouragement in
the present state of trade here to do so. Tow and
codilla are in good request, and prices firm. Jute
is very quiet here, with a small business doing, at
about late prices. Yarns are being offered freely at
old prices, but manufacturers buy but sparingly,
and that a slight reduction on almost all sizes. Jute
yarns are quiet. Linens are in slow demand, and
prices continue in favour of buyers. The orders
coining forward are generally small, and not suffi-
cient to take off the present production. Sailcloth
is rather quieter, but prices are not changed. Jute
goods arc little asked for, and in some cases stocks
are accumulating iu makers' hands. Hessians can

be bad freely at 20. for 101 oz. sacking and bag-
ging are quiet, and prices unchanged." Messrs.
George Arm-it stead and Co., in their weekly report,
dated Dundee, May 12, report as follows The
dulness in our trade continues without abatement,
and in almost every department the same inactivity
prevails. As there seems but little prospect of an
early improvement, the alternative of working short
time has again been taken into consideration, and
at a meeting of spinners and manufacturers held
yesterday, at which the trade was largely repre-
sented, it was unanimously agreed to reduce the
time of working from GO to 50 hours per week.
Although this reduction is expected to have a good
effect in course of time, it is not so great as some
considered the circumstances of our trade required,
in order to produce a speedy amelioration. There
have been no arrivals of flax during the past week.
The inquiry for goods on the spot is active, hut
business is restricted, in consequence of the small-
ness of stocks of suitable quality. In prices there
is no change, holders of the parcels remaining on
hand being willing to sell at previous rates. The
foreign markets are quiet, and in some cases have
shown a slightly easier tendency. At Archangel
the river opened on the 7th of May, and the White
Sea is reported to be unusually clear of ice. Of dal
goods there is not much offering, and prices are un-
changed. At St. Petersburg flax is quiet, and veil
little business has lately been doing. Prices are
rather easier, and may be quoted for Pscow 12 head
52 roubles, equal to £4B 7s. ld. ; Longa, 47 roubles
to 48 roubles, equal to £43 16s. 6d. to £44 14s. dd.
Soletsky 12 head might probably be had at
10s. ; old Louga, £43, free on board. In Narra
and Revel flax almost no business is doing, in con-
sequence of the high prices demanded by the dealers.
At Pernau there is rather more disposition to meet
buyers, but former prices are still demanded. Tb 4
navigation at Revel and Pernau is opened, and seve-
ral vessels are loading. At Riga the supply of flax
continues good, and holders are willing to sell 0
previous rates, whereat there are still buyers —viz.'
at 48 roubles K, 45 W, 40 D, and 38 III). 13
hemp there is nothing doing. Russian dealers re-
fuse to sell under 41 roubles for fine Ryne, whereat
buyers are wanting. The supply of shipping is eel
abundant, and freights declining. Up to the 7th
inst. 403 ships had arrived-77 sailed. The latest
Russian telegrams advise no change in markets.
1
The accounts of the growing crop of flax from
quarters where it has been sown continue favour
able. In our market to-day there has been very
little doing. In tows there is no change to notice'
there is a good demand for common qualities of tevi
and codilla, of which there is very little in the mar'
ket, and any occasional small parcels that offer are
soon picked up. Of fine tows the stock is also 0
large, and holders of such require full rates. In jute
there is little activity ; low qualities being scarce are
in demand at comparatively full rates, but medinn:
and good descriptions are very dull of sale. Vier_
is no improvement in the demand for flax and tor
yarns, and prices of such are barely maiutaineci.
Jute yarns are also very dull. At to-day's market
,
there has been very little activity, and prices of 0;
and tow yarns are rather lower. In jute ya.rll,,
there is almost no business doing, so that quotation:
are almost nominal. The demand for linens d°ea
not improve, but the contrary, and the depressi°o
prevails in almost every branch of our trade. Jti
goods continue in limited request, and, as the Pro-
duction is very heavy, stocks accumulate quicklfi
It is hoped, however, that the short-time moVonleu
will soon produce a good effect."