Chungking, Dec, 30, The Chinese Government is devising means to meet the present salt shortage, following the occupation by the Japanese f the salt producing districts along the sea coast. Hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to be depending upon Szzechuen salt at the present time, If calculated on a yearly minim consumption of eight catties of salt person, the total annual consumption, it is reckoned, would, amount to 11,200,000 piculs. Szechuen, however, has hitherto been able to produce only 6,000,000 piculs annually.
Hunan, Hupeh and Kiangsi provinees, which previously obtained. their salt from the Hwai district, in North Kiangsu, now must obtain their. salt from Szechuen. 1 Szechuen must also provide salt for North Kwangsi, and South Shensi provinces.
The Ministry of Finance has instructed the Szechuen Salt Administation to rush measures for increas ince.—Reuter. ing the salt production in this prov-
London, Dec. 30.
Silver prices advanced today, the quotations being Dec. 29 Dec. 30
London spot forward gold 19ifd.—20d. 19%d. 194d.
London/New York:
One pound U.S.$4.6640 $4.6528 One U.S. dollar 51.456d. 51.581d.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.