Duriag the time I was there Conferences were held between the Supreme Council for National Economy, the Vneshtorg (or Foreign Trade Monopoly) and the directors of syndicates and trusts which were formed some time ago, to take over and operate respectively the oil, coal, iron, timber, rubber, textiles, electric light and power, and other industries Russia. These syndicates com-Flained that the Vneshtorg was an unnecessary, expensive organization, and requested permission to do their own specifying, arranging of finance, buying ete., direct with foreign suppliers.
The result of these conferences is that the syndicates have now gob their own way, with this exception, that before an order can be actually placed abroad—for the present at any rate—it must be supervised and passed by the Vneshtorg.
The matter affects British manufacturers very closely, because the new standing of these syndicates is a step in the right direction, and if our people are successful in persuading these Russian trusts to specify their goods, and can come to terms with them over the payments, the probability is they will be able to secure some orders.
One good feature about these syndicates is, that the men in charge now, for the most part, are efficient people, not ignorant workmen, as was the case when they were first formed.
T was present one day at a full
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.