It was not to be expected that the improvement in Great Britain's economic fe which has been such a marked feature during the past two or three years, would be maintained at the same rate. As lost markets have been recovered and new ones opened up, opportunities for expansion have decreased. Hence it is no surprise to learn that progress generally has ately been somewhat less marked than a year* ago, Nevertheless the "trading situation is fairly encouraging. A number of industries have' experienced favour-lable conditions, and there slightly greater volume of enquiry from overseas markets. One of the most gratifying pieces of news pubished related to the cotton industry. In the latter part of October thers was a moderate improvement in the situation, which persisted throughout November, both piece goods and yarns being in greater demand. In the woollen industry, in the "jute and in the artificial silk. market conditions improved. Apart from the seasonal demand there has been more activity in the coal trade also. "In addition to greater home: Fequirements, a considerable overseas business has. been transacted.
In spite of a slight falling off ina few branches of the iron and steel industry, there has on the whol been an expansion of trade, more enquiries being received' from abroad, From Lancashire comes particularly interesting item of news: owing to the decline in the cotton trade there are a number of super-'Guous mills, and of these some are now. being' re-equipped for other Purposes, such as the manufacture of slippers,' paper, hats" and other commodities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.