THE WAR BOOM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16963, 27 March 1917, Page 6

THE WAR BOOM

A GOLDEN HARVEST.

The war, which is exacting a heavy toll of blood and treasure from the belligerent nat.ons of Europe, is making business boom in the rest of the wor.ld. The economic position in the principal countries, as reviewed in a special commercial supplement to The limes, shows that nearly all neutral countries—an exception is Spain—are "coining money," and sonio overseas dominions and colonies are enjoying record prosperity. Hero are extracts from the reports.- ' United States.—The year has been one of , incomparable prosperity, with every month showing a striking increase over its predecessor in the velocity and volume of business.

Japan.—Practically in every direction it has been a boom year. Denmark.—Neutral shipping has had a golden year, and this applies more to Danish shipping than to the shipping of any other Jiiuopcan country, as we have been spared a good de;d of war losses as compared with Norway.

Holland.—The banks show splendid results, and Duteh shipping has made rich profits.

New Zealand.—Money has poured into New Zealand at a rate to which the years o£ peace supply no parallel. Canada.—The volume of trade has enormously increased. There is no unemployment, and labour commands verv high wages. Newfoundland.—The most prosperous year in the annals of Newfoundland.

Malay Peninsula.—A year of unexampled prosperity.

Egypt.—The set-back experienced in the early days of the war is now a thing of tho past. Tho country's commerce has recovered the lost ground and made a decided stride in the right direction. Australia is rather doleful to. thiirk that her vast wheat crop cannot be brought to England faster, and of Spain it is 1 said that she has not profited commercially to tho extent she might by the. opportunities presented, while neither Norway nor Sweden exult.