The belief is growing that the extra United States commodities boom of the early war period now has exhausted itself and that price movements will be yarrower. Supplies generally are adequate and consumers' stocks have been raised, and although consumption is high and transport difficulties are substantial, a new and stable boom will require new stimuli. These can come from further deteriorations in shipping or extension of war operations, None of these moves is at present discernible.
The British Government has announced its intention to introduce sugar and meat rationing shortly. This step will affect the international sugar market. The sugar ration, which will be twelve ounces a week, or half the normal consumption, is not owing to a shortage, but a desire to restrict imports from non-Empire countries,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.