London, May 7.
After remaining closed for more than one day. the London Rubber Market reopened for business yesterday, but under new restrictions imposed by the Government.
"Spot" was traded at 14 pence, unchanged from the previous level. while forward positions advanced one-eighth to 14%4d.
Trading in the market was suspended two days ago pending the outcome of discussions between the recently appointed Rubber Controller and the trade concerning the future of the market.
Business remained at a standstill yesterday morning and it was freely rumoured that it might be some days before a final decision was reached. It was learned that the trade was submitting numerous questions to the Controller for clarification. and informed circles believed that the Ministry of Supply would become the sole importer of rubber in order to centralize precious freight space. This resulted in general fears that futures trading would cease as in the case of the Liverpool cotton market, although it was considered that the Ministry would in any case continue to use the trade for internal distribution since it was acknowledged that the Ministry's hasty nationalization of cotton distribution had not worked well,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.