Trade Notes
LANCASHIRE AND JAPAN
On June 22, a fortnight after their return to this country, the British members of the Anglo-American cotton textile mission to Japan discussed their report and various matters arising out of it with Mr. Harold Wilson, the Presi- | dent of the Board of Trade. To-day Mr. Wilson will continue those discussions, which will be attended by members of the Cotton Board's standing conference on overseas trade policy, as well as by Sir Raymond Streat and the cthers who visited Japan. There have been during the last eleven weeks many events which have profoundly affected com- petition in world cotton trade between Lancashire and Japan. The outbreak of war in Korea and the lifting of the limit on Japan's cotton spindleage came before the end of June, while at the end of July it was announced that a "limited quantity" of Japanese grey cloth would be licensed for importation into this country for processing and later re-export.
These are among the more prominent events which must have an important bearing on to-day's discussions, but some other considerations must be mentioned. Japanese exports of cotton piece goods increased sharply again during the first six months of this year, when they exceeded those from this country and those from the United | States by very wide margins. On the other hand, reports during the last two or three months from many Eastern and other markets where Lancashire traders have correspondents have recorded very large advances in Japanese,quotations,
Mr. M. J.
X iste
15
Willis
which, coupled with greatly increased periods required for delivery, have caused sharp reductions in the volume of new orders placed in Japan. Two other considerations help to make the outlook obscure. In the first place, Mr. Wilson is presumably still anxious that the production of cotton goods for utility trade should be increased, and, secondly, the likelihood of an expansion in the demand for cotton goods for the forces and other defence purposes has Both these to be taken into account. suggest the possibility of a reduction in Lancashire's production for export trade, and the reduction may be especially heavy if growing activity in armament trades draws many workers away from the mills.
SHIRTS FROM HONG-KONG
It is officially announced that representatives of the Shirt, Collar, and Tie Manufacturers' Federation yester- day discussed with officials of the Board of Trade the problems presented by the import of shirts from Hong-Kong. There was shown to be no doubt that these garments, which are mainly knitted sports-style shirts, are, in fact, wholly manufactured in the Crown Colony of Hong-Kong, The import figures for these fell by two-thirds in July. The deputation was reminded that the President had promised to keep the matter under examination, but had made it clear that any suggestion that protective duties or quotas should be imposed against the colonies would have very far-reaching implications
CH. DARBY 9/12. MW. WATT (S.)
Mr. B.J. Robles
may like
2521
dien
6 SEP 104:
X
Away
like to see
away