The cloth thus exported is of a cheap variety, but in this connexion it is noteworthy that dyeing, bleaching and printing have been taken in hand by the Chinese. So far it is only on a small scale, but one considerable establishment under purely Chinese management and using modern British machinery, is turning out a considerable quantity of material so treated. The lines they deal in are unquestionably good enough for the ordinary demands from the interior and the export markets for which they eater and the result is that the works are engaged daily for long hours. This indicates that before very long China will have placed herself definitely in the category.of an exporting country of piece goods, To turn again to the subject of the import of piece goods, the subject of woollens is a matter of special interest, Woollen fabrics have found ever greater favour revenue purposes.
The Opening of the Year All those interested in piece goods had experienced a bad year in 1924. During the greater part of that year the statistical position had been absolutely sound, and it was seen that the interior was ordering no more than its immediate requirements. Moreover, the fact that there chad been military operations near Shanghai during the autumn precluded the despatch of further stocks, and everything pointed to the renewal of a wholesome demand once there was anything like a settled condition. Unfortunately we have not yet seen that condition, and s0 the revival has tarried.
As the beginning of the year local values for piece goods imported from Manchester were comparatively high, CE
Pnice ap EXcuanos Fivcrvations 1% 1924.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.