The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-09-21 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, FRIDAY.—The want of confidence and gene-
ral stagnation noticed last week still continue unabated. Oar
market remains exceedingly depressed, without any very per-
ceptible 'change since the beginning of the week. We have
heard of some cases in which lower prices have been accepted
both for goods and yarn ; but there is so little business doing
that it would be untair to test the market by the few transac-
tions which have taken place at these reduced rates. To restrict
their operations to the smallest possible compass, or rather to
refrain from doing business altogether during the present cri-
sis, appears to be regarded as the safest policy for all parties.
The declining state of the cotton market, no doubt, seems to
inspire some with the hope that they will shortie be able to
operate upon better terms. So far, however, prices have been
well maintained, and but little disposition evinced by sellers to
do business at lower rates. In the home trade there has not
been so much doing as during last week. Short time working,
as might have been expected, is decidedly on the increase, and
every available opportunity is taken advantage of to stop work-
ing-altogether. In cases where a reduction of wages has been
talked of, the proposition has met with the most marked dis-
approval from the operatives, who distinctly state that they will
rather consent to stop working entirely for a short time than
submit to any diminution of wages.
REEDS.—There is no feature of importance to notice in the
state of the woollen trade in this town and district this week—
at least no material change since our last report. The demand,
though not so good as at this period last year, is far from being
very low ; and upon the whole, both in our public markets and
at the warehouses of the merchants, a fair quantity of goods,
Chiefly for winter, have changed hands this week, at late prices.
The purchases have been chiefly for the home trade. It does
not appear that the recent commercial failures in London and
elsewhere have much affected any of the houses in this town ;
nor beyond a very vague rumour, affecting only one party, has
there been any.doubt cast on the solvency of any firm in the
woollen trade in this town.
BRADFORD.—Wod.—The business doing in all kinds of
combing wools continues extremely limited, and as the growers
hold for high prices in the country, the staplers refuse to make
any abatement here, seeing no chance to replace their stock,
which causes the operations to be narrowed down to hand and
mouth consumption. Broker and Noils are in better request,
with no stocks on hand and late prices readily realized. Yarns
—The buyers for export, particularly for Russia, have been
pretty active. But the prices at which they are making their
purchases will deter the spinners from producing, except to
actual order. There is a very strong feeling in favour of further
curtailing the production, by working only daylight, as the
shorter days advance. Pieces—There is rather more doing
both by home houses and shippers, and in the warehouses the
merchants are beginning to show signs of activity, which we
hope will continue. Prices show no alteration.
HUDDERSFIELD.—Our last market was but thinly attended
by purchasers, and comparatively little business was done.
There is, however, a disposition on the part of merchants to
buy goods of good quality where there is the addition of new-
ness of style to recommend them. Pricesare without alteration.
ROCA DA LE.—The flannel market was this week well attended
by both buyers and sellers. Middling qualities, and all sorts
of finished goods were in good demand; prices were same as
last week. Foreign wools were in good demand. Brokes and
skins were scarce. Wools were a trifle higher in prices. Dur-
ing the last few days large quantities of dyed flannels have been
purchased for the Scottish market.
HALIFAX.—Piece.—We have again had a remarkably dull
market, and very little business doing. In yarns there is no
alteration to notice • spinners cannot replace the yarn for the
price offered. Wool is much the same, and very little doing.
Hoste.Ry AND LACE TRADES.—There is scarcely any altera-
tion in the cotton hose trade since our last, either in cut-ups or
wrought bore, nor does there appear at present any likelihood
for an increased demand. The silk hosiery branches of every
kind are in a very low state, but we do not think the demand
has fallen off within the last few weeks. A very general feeling
is entertained amongst persons not engaged in the hosiery and
lace manufactures, that trade is much improved ; but on in-
quiry of persons well and minutely acquainted with it in all its
bearings, we find that they are not of the same opinion, and
that, though some fluctuations have taken place, upon the
whole the demand has not increased. The drawer, pantaloon,
and shirt branch still continues tolerably good. The bobbin
net trade, both plain and fancy, is extreme!), dull again, as the
speculations and orders for the October Leipsic Fair are on the
wane. To add to the disadvantage, the fair at Beaucaire, on
the Rhone, which usually gave such an impetus to the French
lace trade, has to some extent been a failure. The black silk
trade is yet pretty good, but the machines are found to he too
fine for the articles required. The muslin lace branch has
fallen off considerably for inferior articles, but for good things
there is yet a demand.