British trade reports just now in whatever direction one turns make interesting reading, for spite of a general feeling of uncertainly as regards the European situation, we ate doing well. There is no denying it. There are set-backs now and then as Continental competition becomes keener, but at the moment British industrialists are you give immediate help, both! not to be uneasy.
Furness, Manchester, "and other seats of the iron and steel industry tel] of good business bring done both as regards metal for home consumption and for the export trade, From the Clyde come optimistic hopes of increased business during the second quarter of the year. Lanarkshire ironworks which had been closed are gradually being opened up again, and this alone has given employment to some thousands of out-of-works.
News from the cotton districts is not so satisfactory. Though the price of raw cotton has of late shown a downward tendency offers from overseas are for the most part too low for acceptance. Inquiries from India and China are coming in spasmodically, but the price offered makes acceptance in most cases prohibitive. Workers financially and by force of arms} Board of Trade figures for April are on short time, and though: a (the 5,000 foreign soldiers in China} are encouraging. There was a big Provisional Emergency Committee at present would be quite suf; increase in both exports and is doing its hest to find some way ficient) to the ablest, man (e.g. j ports as compared to April, 1922, out of present difficulties, very General Wu Pei-fu) and let him} i 5, 783,9% little has actually been effected. bring order out of the existing The Committee, which was formed chaos by force, there is no hope the corresponding month of by certain members of the indus-for a peaceful settlement. After; ye r. Food, drink, tobacco, meat, ry as a protest against the slow order is re-established, then for-! jiving animals, and raw materials methods of the Federation of eign friends who have a thorough are amon; commodities that are; Master Cotton Spinners' and knowledge of the Chinese tempera-being imported in ever-growing Manufacturers' Associations, whose ment should be requested to help quantities,- whilst we are supply-' work it is to carry out measures of the Chinese patriots to (1) ing to overseas customers vehicles' velief, now proposes to set up an establish a legal government; of different kinds, locomotives, Advisory Board to control the plan for the future tranquility of ships, aircraft, iron and steel, a1 whole industry. The suggestion, the whole of China; (3) introduce last but not least, vast quantities "however, does not meet with the practical education suitable for! of coal. approval of the original Federa-China; (4) establish many factories The coal outlook appears detion. for the common folk; and (5) decidedly more hopeful. Continental velop the various resources of the} inquiries are coming in steadily, British manufacturers are grad-Other industries are doing better. country. and though both the Northumb er-tually getting a stronghold on the If the above stated mothes are land, Durham, Laneashilre and chemical trade of the world, our promptly and effectively carried South Wales coalfields report a! pottery districts report a steady out, not only will the Chinese, but certain falling off in orders from! decrease in unemployment, and in the foreigners. also, be greatly time to time, consequent upon thei Leicester, Nottingham and North-benefited? Otherwise there will ba Ruhr situation, these are, only! ampton orders for wallon goods, no peace in China and no tran- temporary, and an actual slump!hosiery and boots and shoes ruy auillity for the nations of the Far is not feared. German and Itali jwdll into next year. America, East. It is to be hoped that al]; orders are coming in particularly; both North and South, is a good foreigners and Chinese who take} well, and in some districts, not-} customer as regards foot-wear. The real interest in the present dis-{#bly in the Eastern areca, miners': Kidderminster carpet trade also tressful condition of China, will! Wages have actually been raised. has accepted so many offers that consider the words of Sir J. Tordan{1" Lanarkshire two new- pits are|thore is actually said to be no and adopt the mort. effective! bortly to be put in operation, and! unemployment whatsoever in that reports Scotland—generally; locality.
Shipbuilders also are less down-' economic position is exceptionally j. Treland. too, is doing well. Her least.
According to "'Lloyd's Re-! ound in spite of the distressing We are indebted to the Swiss Star reports for the first three period she is going through, and ths of this year have been some Consul-General for a copy of the} though her export and import Swiss Travel Almanac for the sum-of the most satisfactory yet recei iv trade experienced. a certain sot-mer of 1923. If one does not hap-jeds 1,492,188 tons of shipping are-back during the troublous months now under construction in Great pen to be going to Switzerland th: of 1921, reports heroine more and against summer the long list of events that Britain. and Treland, as more satisfactory as time goes on. 11,867,934 in the rest of the world. are to be held at the different re- The Some 98 per cent. of her total boilermakers' lock-out and sorts, from flower-shows to ski-j exports come to this country. and {overtime disputes have jumping, is merely tempting. But her deliveries of foed and drink-jably hampered things, but provid-the hook itself is far more than i stuffs to Great Britain are only ing labour difficulties can be over-that. It contains excellently writ-come, there seems reason to exceeded in quantity by amounts: tus ten and most interesting articles on for more prosperous times. sent to us by the United States. mountaineering, great.
English demand for ships for ne; She is expert in breeding cattle, transport climbers, the ancient Swiss game! purposes increases as trade pigs, sheep, and horsys, and seme of the hest buriiers obtainable are: of Hornussen, the Swiss National general becomes more healthy, and Trish-bred.
Park, on fishing, bird life and; this again is proof of how the!
Much is being done at the mo-many other topics.
The printing' various industries of the country ment to set Irish agricultural life is as exquisite as anything we are linked together. on a sounder footing, to ce-ordinate have seen, and the illustrations are: Continental competition as re-~mes of improvement. and to most beautiful. We have neve: j#ards iron and sied is very kee: envourace the spread of—scientific seen. another publication of this and if it were not for our superi or knowledge in the country. The kind more perfectly designed and j ability in keeping to delivery da: Trish Farmers' Union though yet produced and though modestly we should probably have more young in years "has already. got styling itself an Almanac it is difficulty on this score, The Ruhr branches all over the Emerald Isle worth keeping as' a standard j deadlock is at the moment proviar: and as the covniry settles to work work and a specimen of high-class, 2 serious handicap to overseas: again big things may be pected publishing. ' suppliers.
As it' is Barrow in of her.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.