BRITAIN'S TRADE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 10

BRITAIN'S TRADE.

A NOTE OF OPTIMISM. . ■ V (Bt cable—pbess association—coptricht.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z. AND SUN CABLE.) LONDON, September 20. Interviews with leaders in various gphcres of industry regarding Britain's trade prospects, show that the prevailing note in most opinions is one of quiet optimism. The Hon. Mr Alexander Shaw, president of the Chamber of Shipping, says that the outlook for British shipping is probably brighter than for many years, but the prosperity of shipping depends on the general prosperity of the trade of the -world, particularly Britain, •which shows many hopeful signs, notably in the smaller fluctuations of currencies, and more of the "will to work among all classes engaged in industry. Mr Hunter, president of the British Wool Federation, said that if the demand for yarns and piece goods revives, quotations should advance. The biggest purchasers recently were the Germans, and if their demand were maintained, there was not the slightest prospect of a serious reduction in the present prices. VICTORIA'S FINANCES. INCREASED TAXATIONPROPOSED. (AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) MELBOURNE, September 21. Mr Hogan estimates a surplus for the current year of £27,850. The rate of tax on incomes from personal exertion 'will be increasedUi penny in the £ and on companies other than'life assurance companies by twopence. Stamp duties on cheques will be increased from one penny to twopence, the duty on transfers of land and sales of shares will b<3 sixpence for every £lO, with a. maximum payment of five shillings, on any certificate. Mr Hogan, in a Budget speech, stated that the Government intended to introduce Bills to provide increased taxation amounting to £370,000, and also to establish the totalisator. ENGLISH APPLES. BIG CROP FORECASTED.

(ST CABIJt—MUSSS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT) (AUSTEALUX AND CXBLI aSSOCIAf.OX.) (Received September 21st, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 20. , Though the estimates are not yet available, the "Westminster Gazette" forecasts that England's . Apple crop will be a bumper one. Apples fetching 140s a ton in 1925 are not selling'for ; 70s now. Rain has improved the quality, ensuring the best cider for years.

INDIAN JUTE CROP.

DECREASE EXPECTED. j (B* CABLE—MESS ASSOCUTIOKrr-COPXEiO&T). (AUSTRALIAN AXD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) ; (Received September 21st, 7.25 p.m.) DELHI, September 21. . The filial forecast of the jute crop, of Bengal, Bihar, and Crissa, and Assam for 1927: shows that the'': total' acreage this year, is 3,371,000, ;■ a decrease of 475,800 -on last year. The estimated total yield, in bales of 4001b, •is. . 10,250,000, a decrease of nearly 2,000,000.

JAPAN CEMENT CO, BANKRUPT.

(»* CABL*—PB*S» I.SSOCU.TIOH—COPTSIOXT.) (A.TTBTBAI.IAH AJTD ' NrZ. CABLI JLSSOCtATION.)

(Received September 21st, 7.25 p.m.)

TOKIO, September 21. Associated Newspapers announce the bankruptcy of the Japan Cement Company, with a capital of £5,000,000.; The company is. a subsidiary of the Suzuki Company.

IMPORTED LEMONS.

K.Z. GROWERS AND THE TARIFF.

[.THE PEESS SpecUl Service.]

WELLINGTON, September 21.

Enquiries among the fruit trade reveal that the extra duty of Id per lb propos ed to be imposed on imported lemoni under the new tariff will' not give sucl assistajice to the local lemon growers a: they had Hoped. Imported lemons now land in the Do minion-at a sufficiently low price to en able them .to be sold .in the .auctior rooms,' i.o.T.f, at about 50s per case Each case contains an average of 30( lemons, so that the retail price, usually round about 3d, represents a substan tial profit. The cost of a lemon whole ' sale is an average of 2d. Five lemons go to tlie pound weight and the new tariff thus imposes an extra duty of l-sths'of a penny per lemon on the imported fruit. The selling price of 3d per lb can be maintdined without difficulty. IMPORTED MAIZE. PROTEST AGAINST REDUCTION OF DUTY. (P8133 ASSOCIATION TXLZSBJUC.) WHAKATANE, September 21. Maize growers are greatly concerned at the proposal to reduce the duty on imported maize. Apart from European growers the -largo Maori population there is almost entirely dependent on maize crops for a livelihood. At the request of the growers, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr B. L. Lees, is proceeding to Wellington to-day to mak n representations to the Minister to have the present duties retained. The Chamber of Commerce. .passed a resolution of protest against the reduction in the maize duties. ; SALE OF PEDIGREE JERSEYS. (FBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.). HAMILTON, September 21. The fifth National Jersey show and sale began at Claudelands to-day, when 51 young bulls realised the sum: of 2470J guineas or an average of about 48J guineas each. The imported bull, Sybil's Earl, the only reserved animal, i was passed in at 100 guineas.