GERMANY'S TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 124, 29 May 1922, Page 8

GERMANY'S TRADE

The monthly reports for February of the Prussian Chambers of Commerce suggest that, although the fear ' is expressed that "the purchasing power, of the people will be unable to, pay the high prices demanded for goods," the trade activity which characterised 1921 shows no signs of diminishing. Notably in the iron and steel and textile industries the orders received in the period under review will keep fac" tories; busy for many months.' The machine construction factories, according to, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce report, were so busy in February, coping' with order's received during previous ' months, that no attention could be given to the numerous new orders received.

In the'West German machine industry February orders, although sufficiently numerous keep factories busy, were , not quite "as numerous as in previous months. ■ ! :

Demand for new railway rolling stock ' represented' as "somewhat quieter." It is emphasised that without the prospect of considerable orders for railway wagons and locomotives from the German Government, the dismissal of numerous workmen could hardly be avoided in i the Berlin district.

On the other hand, the Cassel locomotive industry, thanks to orders from abroad, is represented as likely to be fully occupied for sc«ie months. . In the electrical industry good business, thanks to numerous orders recently received,; is anticiaptedv for some considerable time. ' Some branches of the electrical trade are slacker than others.

The wool trade is described as extremely active, mainly because consumers have come to > the, end of their stocks, and, fearing a further rise in prices, are hastening to'effect new purchases. The cloth manufacturing industry was kept busy during January and, the first half of February on old orders, but numerous new orders are also reported. The linen spinning and weaving industries were able to book orders which will keep factories busy for many months. ■

Complaints are made that while .„ the home trade is satisfactory, "foreign'competition and Customs duties" are handicapping the export trade of the; German silk industry. The same complaints are made by chemical • dye manufacturers. ,- ( ■ . ' ■

Nature intended i women to -be more lovelythan men, and/a nation whose men excel its women in,,beauty is faced with disasi,ir, according-to ;one expert in physical culture. „, ■.;.:

Chewing-gum is said to be used in.England principally by coal miners, cotton: operatives, factory workers,.and other induslvinl employees who cannot sinoko at their work;.