BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

CABLE NEWS,

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. GERMAN STOCKS. LONDON, Jan. 7. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent states 1920 lias Leon a record year in the Berlin Stock Exchange. The prices of leading shares have risen largely. Since 1918 the shares have averaged a rise of 63 per cent. Dye companies’ shares rose 100 per cent; electric companies’ 200 per cent,, and coal and iron shares 250 per cent. The rises have partly been due to the fall of the market, blit also to the increased trade and renewed public confidence. 1

A feature of the year was the rush of the public to buy industrial shares. Some 13,500 million marks were invested in company shares -in 1920. One prominent banker mentioned 12 eases in which small speculators became millionaires.

CREDIT FOR- TRADE

LONDON, Jan. 6

In connection with the British credit scheme for European trade, negotiations are proceeding between the Government hankers and insurance coiup»nits. A ..scheme proposed by Sir Edward Mountain involves the Government lending a syndicate of financiers thirteen millions. Half of this total is required for export credits, the Government being liable to risks to that amount. The syndicate would run the scheme free of all expense to the G<>\ernment, taking the profits on the insurance premiums charged to guarantee merchants’ hills jis a reward for their services, labour. T o Government considers this too favourable to the financiers. Sir Edward/Mountain says unless some big hazards occur, the Government would never he called on to pay a penny. A GERMAN OFFER. , (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) PARIS January 7.

Germany has notified France that she will settle outstanding French war comjH-nsattfui claims. before the fifteenth.