Shanghai, May 3.
announced additional ssu charge on consumption of electric power above permitted levels is belatedly inducing thought among industrialists as to Blow reduclon can be achieved. Certain plants are considering reduction in daily hours of work, providing for a full hour for lunch and rest pauses in the morning -and afternoon work, with the object of keeping production up to the highest level despite fewer working hours; others have installed individual motors driving machines, replacing large motors driving batteries of machines; others have checked machine installations. 'There has been little reduction in the number of worl 1g shifts so far, but such is forecast' in several plants.
Shorlage of materials from usual sources of supply is beginning to affect other plants: enamel ware planls have reduced output by one-Third during April. Dimeulty is experienced by machine shops in obfaining sheet Iron, cast iron. brass and "copper. and previously used materials ure being resorted to. Rubber industries are dfluling raw with reclaimed rubber, because of dimeully of obtaining the raw pro~ duet. Announced Customs policy controlling export from Shanghai of a certain range of products to Southern markets has not yet made IMself felt. Export licence require-mens In the United States. are causing <dimeully for some enter=
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