GENERAL CABLES

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1934, Page 9

GENERAL CABLES

BRITISH TRADE. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON. October 3. Some striking figures illustrating the improvement in British trade were included in an important speech by Mr Neville Chamberlain at the Lord Major’s dinner to London bankers and merchants. The Chancellor said that while British exports during the first eight months of this year showed an increase of £20,009,0011. over ''he corresponding period last year, the improvement in trade occurred chiefly in home markets. That 'improvement had been carried further than was suggested by the employment figures, which were affected by the increase in population, and the ever increasing mechanisation which was one of die mod disconcerting aspects 'in modern industrial life. Indices of production in nearly all cases showed a ma.rked advance on last year. Railway receipts had advanced. no't. spectacularly, but appreciably. Ship building tonnage under construction had doubled, and at the same time, 44ie volume of shipping laid up had been halved. Building plans approved during the first seven moniths this year were of a value of £58.500,000 as against £49,000,000 last year and only £37.000.000 ithe yea r before. The figure was of particular importance, because .of the many ancillary industries dependent on the build ing trade, and because it gave- so much employment. The detail trade, which was less sensitive than the production index, showed in August an advance of 5 per emit, over August last year, indicating that the general inprove-nien-t in conditions of industry was now beginning to affect the purchasing power of it he people. “Taken as a whole,’’ the' Chancellor declared, “the picture presented by these figures is definitely encouraging.” LONDON October 3. The first issue of the Irish press since the strike bears the comprehensive date line 27/7 Tuesday 2/10 and prints a survey of the ten weeks’ incidents in Ireland and the happenings abroad. The King will hold a Pr : vy Council at Buckingham Pa'ace this week uiit which he will give formal consent under the Great Seal of England, bo the marriage of Prince George and Princess Marina. General Smuts nvill be among those summoned to attend; During Prnce George’s recent visit to Africa General Smuts was his companion when Table Mountain was climbed. A portrait of Princess Marina, commissioned bv Prince Ueorge, and painted while she was in England. has been completed by Phi’ip de Lazzlo. It will be given to her as a 'wedding present by the Prince. Following the success of the telephone reductions, the Post Office has reduced the nir mail parcel rate t.° Europe by thirty per (-ent.. Py assist British ma n u fae tu re r«