Although the prices offered are far from satisfactory considering what has been paid for stock in hand, offers for replacing piece goods are of a better nature. According ly should the basis of demand continue to broaden as it has done during the past week, it might be possible to contemplate a general improvement in conditions. A bette: demand from the north has been one of the features of the week, and it is a hopeful sign that Tsingtao has been to a very much great extent in the market than for weeks past. While there a thus certain elements leading ti wards an optimistic sentiment, it has got to be remembered that any adverse alteration in the political situation is Tiable to bring about an entirely different state of affairs.
Since the end of May the piece }goods auctions have been suspended, jard although at different times: it} has been suggested that there might be a resumption, it has been felt better that a favourable opportunity might be awaited. Next week seems to suggest itself as the psychological moment, for normally it would be the first auction for clearance after Chinese New Year.
Dealers are strongly interested lay the resumption of the auctions, and the prices quoted will be eagerly' watched. So far as can be learned the quantities offered at the auctions will be below the average for this particular time of the year, as there is no desire to disturb unduly the course of the market.
While we have mentioned that Tsingtao has taken more than recently, another centre which has attracted attention during the week has been Szechuan, and this is a hopeful sign, Cotton, Yarn, Ete, Chinese Cotton—There have been fair arrivals of Chinese cotton Curing the week, and mills have 02 the whole been good purchasers; for their immediate requirements. The quality, however, owing to] jons during the grow-jooms to be below the average, and the great tendency en the part of all spinners is to look for arrivals of the Indi to Al their requ next two months. Considerable eon-signments from' Bombay are dae between now and the end of February, and as a consequence there is an' expectation that in the near future lower prices for Chinese cotton will be seen. After showing provement up to n week cotton has again ded and is now again TI. 1 lower. A very considerable business is being transacted on the Chinese Cotton Goods Exchange, and on Thursday 67,000 piculs were dealt in. Thurs-dey afternoon's concluding quotations were as follows:—January
Spot quotations are as_ follows:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.