TRADE POSITION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 9 November 1925, Page 5

TRADE POSITION.

EFFECT OF LOCARNO TREATY. CONDITIONS AT HOME.. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION— copybighi LONDON, Nov. 7. Summarising the trade position, Barclay’s Bank Review says- the progress made at Locarno should enable the expenditure on armaments to. be reduced, and enable mare attention to be devoted to financial and economic reconstruction and development, which would considerably facilitate trade expansion. Favourable European harvests give the prospect of an abundant supply of foodstuffs and many classes of raw materials at lower prices than in recent years. This should exert a beneficial influence, broadening the demand, while more active steps by several countries to stabilise their currencies should further assist. It is true that a number of the more important industries are still in an unsatisfactory position, but greater activity in the engineering trade is evidence, that in some directions at leasU progress is being achieved. •Reports of the Bradford. wool trade are distinctly encouraging, and the demand has been so good that the market has been, cleared l of several qualities and Hop-makers are unable to accept new orders for delivery this year. One of the best features of the present situation is that machinery is better employed! than at any time since the late slump.A Bradford correspondent writes: — ‘ ‘ Manufacturers have booked some very good; orders, both fort home and for export, during the last month. Many now have sufficient worK in hand to keep the looms employed till after the turn of the year. The main, dafficultv is to induce the buyer to pay prices in keeping with the replacement costs. Undoubtedly many merchants are hoping for easier prices early next vear, but the general impression' at the moment, is that values will be maintained till tli© end of 19~0. ‘ ‘ Conditions in the spinning section ■show a marked improvement, and whereas a few weeks ago spinners experienced great difficulty m t machinery running, several aie now working overtime in order to cope with the urgent demands for delivery. The “aSspurt of activity atao torn* hosiery trade unprepared, and manu facturers are- being pressed for the de liverv of goods which might and ou a ii to have been ordered- long ago.