Presiding at the annual meeting] lof the Federation of Master Cotton-Spinners Associations at Manfehoster to-day, Mr. Fred Hol-royd said that in 1027 there had been a very considerable return of trade in cotton yarn and loth, but that prices were not quite satisfactory; continuance of such trade would soon see the mills and weaving-sheds fall. Production portents for the future were very bright. The Federation strongly opposed ratification of the Washington Convention for a 48 hour week.
Mr. Holroyd expressed the opinion that even if their competitors ratified it, their action would probably] be conditional on the right in special circumstances to work longer Hours, Constantinople, Mar. 12.
The Russo-Turkish Commerciaf Agreement has been signed. Tur-/kish exports to Russia are Limited to 45 articles of an annual, value jot £7,000,000: Russian export ara would not -be permitted {ot Great Britain, Quoting a week's figures showing that America con sumed four times as much American feotton as England, while Japan, Germany and France each consumed more than half the quantity used fu England, Mr; Holroyd declared that it was toyond his comprehension how people in the trade could, contend that. there was no competition fear—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.