A distinct Tack of activity has characterized the Piece Gobds section during the week, especially cottons. To a large extent this situation is due to the difficulty connected with the New Year settle- P ment and the advancing of payments from the Chinese to the foreign date, Nevertheless it is felt that in view of the smallness of stocks any fresh demand would quickly overcome the difficulties of finance, especially as the reports now being received from up-country licate a much more cheerful feeling.
At the same time the speculative, demand on which the trade usually relies at this time of the year iz unlikely to be seen in view of the fact that merchants are continuing in uncertainty regarding the '71 financial facilities the native banks I be able to give them.
A few woollens have been mov-
Yt] ines but no forward bookings have Fi] been reported, The Auctions Tuesday's Kungping auction was practically unchanged from the previous week. Ther Tittle trade inquiry, and while a few speculators were in the market the only other support came from a very small local demand.
A better feeling was in evidence at the Kungping auction on Thursday, and the recovery in prices which was witnessed was probably duo to the fact that quantities were reduced by half. All dyed goods advanced, Venetians being up 43 mace, Italians 2 mace, while Velvets recovered a very Inrge proportion of what they lost last week. For Whites there were indications an improved demand from Tientsin, and these qualities were consequently on the higher side, the average being 12 mace up.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.