U.S. TRADE CONDITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 69, 21 March 1919, Page 8

U.S. TRADE CONDITIONS.

MARKETS REMARKABLY STEADY,

In a trade circular to hand from Messrs. John Dunn, Son. and Co., of NewYork, forwarded through the Australasian agents, Meters. Brown and Dureau, Ltd., reference is made to after-war conditions of business generally in America. It states that there has been little buying or selling, as neither producer nor user felt sure enough of the immediate future to warrant the acceptance or placing of orders excepting for immediate requirements. The markets as a whole, however, -bowed remarkable steadiness, notwithstanding the heavy cancellation of war work orders. As the machinery had been run at top speed for much longer periods than usual, advantage was brdng taken of the lull to overhaul plants. Foreign buyers had been particularly eager to cancel contracts for goods remaining unsbi-pped, and where such cancellations were possible the manufacturers as a rule were very liberal in meeting these requests, but it'seems quite evident that this phase of the situation has about passed, and there is some evidence that buyers are beginning to wonder if they may not have been too quick in this matter of cancellations. The prices first sent out after the armistice by English firms have in many cases been withdrawn, and much higher prices substituted; and there seems to be a more general realisation of the fact that it is going to take some time for readjustments to be made, and that (lending these readjustments speculation as to prices is i tore than hazardous. One idea is clearly traceable amongst all the ramifications of business, and that is that peace eventually means lower prices for commodities and lower wages. Whether this readjustment can be made so gradually ac to avoid serious difficulties is a question which cannot now be answered. Troops are returning rapidly from abroad, and are being released from home camps; probably in all nearly one million men have been restored to industry up to this time. Workers on munitions and other war materials have been discharged in large numbers, but on the •whole this labour has been readily absorbed by other industry at somewhat lower rates of wages, and no unemployment problem has as yet appeared. , All political parties are agreed that the I building of ships must continue as planned until a merchant marine is commensurate to th-*** country's requirements, and twelve million tons of steel steamers are expected to be ready during the next twelve months.