Very little apart from the Jauctions can be reported in_ the piece goods market. In respect of private cargo some small movements stocks "have taken place, and factually there have been a few! forward inquiries. It is felt, however, that these have not been the way of actual business but merely to test the home market, and there are absolutely no. signs of actual business going through, Nevertheless it is an. important sign that dealers are again becoming interested, as they have practically neglected the market for these past few weeks. Whether they wil continue their interest depends upon the fortunes of war in central China, The week's auctions varied tone, and the chief feature evolving from the situation seems to be that the market is not yet strong enough to absorb larger quantities than have recently been put forward of high quality Italians. Owing, to the fact that Chinkiang is buying little or nothing—being the best market for these high qualities—- these showed a drop at the end of the week, but the lower qualities were only slightly changed. Apart from this there was a better tone in the auctions, and an improved rade inquiry was apparent. Ningpo was not in the market, but most, the other centres, apart from Chin have orders.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.