CHEERFUL NOTE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 70, 20 February 1939, Page 7

CHEERFUL NOTE

finance markets.

HELPFUL FACTORS

IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

Received February 20, 9.30 u.m LONDON, Feb. 19.

Although business on the Stock Exchange lias not been active, the account closed yesterday on a cheerful note, several factors in the past few days having combined to bring a revival both in business and prices for gilt-edged securities and industrial issues.

The first was the reception given tlie defence White Paper, which is accepted as an indication that the enormous expenditure on defence is likely to make war improbable.

Then came Sir Jolm Simon’s optimistic speech, and Mr It. S. Hudson’s expression of hope that the setback from which trade is suffering is over. Lastly came the events in Spain, which are regarded as an indication of early peace there. It is also considered that the Government’s plans are not likely to add materially to taxation.

A good trade augury is the announcement that the number of loreign buyers visiting the British Industries Fair in London and Birmingham next week will be 35 per cent, above last year.