1954-12-22 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1954,

Xmas Over The World TRADE AND COMMERCE SECTION

The Communists Have Had To Acknowledge Christmas-Tide So Today-Behind The Iron Curtain

Yugoslavia's two traditional Christmas Days, December 25 for the Roman Catholics and January 7 for the Serbian Orthodox Church which follows the "old calendar" are not recognised by the Communist authorities and it is "business as usual" in Government offices, factories and shops.

Tho Communist party of Bosnia-Herzegovina has, in fact, decided to start Its congress on December 25.

But throughout the country many people will probably take a few hours off from work go to church and to participate in ancient family customs.

cent of that they

The

10

At

the last census, 85 pes population sold were activo believers in religion, Serbia in particularly rich in have their Christians pagan rites. In the villages, the Chrisinus pine tree is unknown and presents are not given. There, the festival centres round the "badijak" OT onk

customs, some of which

origin

pre-

trunk and a family damer Buckling pig.

With

ritual age-old

badnjak is

brought into

house

hrad of the

the the the

family

(January 6 by

TIBERIAS. GALILEE SEAPORT, is the only one of the nine large towns around the Galitse in Christ's time to retain its originai neme and location, It is an the west side of the lake with 4000 people, an Impoverished hamlet notorious for dirt and vermin. There is no record tšat Christ ever visited here, as the town, founded by Herod, was Greek and Roman, and somewhat shunned by Jown. From here went many to, the meeting where Christ fed the multikode. Pliny mentions its famous sulphur baths. Later it became an important Jewish · center of

learning.

munisi party งา

signed personally by Nikita Khrush- chev, the Party Socrotary, sug- gesting the possibilty slightly more toforation for the church and "believers" may result in Increased congrega- tions 31 the churches dus Christmas.

k

as

Factory workers and offico employees are free on Now Year's Eve and Now Year's Day to attend parties at their clubs or public" festivals.

While the general population may be allowed to celebrate Christmas in accordance with the new policy not to press the

guinat WWERS

Christianity too hard at present, the mem- Schoolchildren get a 13-day bers of the Communist party holiday beginning on December will not be allowed to do so. 31. Their New Year party A recent

editorial in the com- usually takes place on January munist But even at the present level

"Rude, when they gather round a newspaper of church-going, there are too

Prave

Army: "Wadle large "Christmas tree" started

in the few churches open. At Christ-

is a private affair religion

school hall, mas each year, the Elokhovsky far as the Stufe is concerned it So-called "Father Frosts" in a Cathedral in Moscow is packed ** not u private affair of a

disguise similar to the western to the doors and crowds spill member of the Communist Father Christmas" appear out inte the surrounding streets party. The party is a union of handing out gifts which are carrying symbolic lighted

people thinking alike and its either prepared by the parents Marxist-Leninist ideology is in or

and bag of sweets Tho "bollevers" in Russia compatible with any brand uf biscuits given by gome

big mostly old

who idealism people

or religious ob-factory. learned their religion under the scurantism."

Often, well-known actors and Taarist regime. Few young

Thus, though the Communist actresses. writers und Suh- people are seen in the churches, regimes, in order to avoid any banovite

the workers attend The Communist party

may ensures split in the proletariat"

children's parties as guests of that the children learn to be tolerate for the time

them being honour and tell

About atheists from their curliest days. religious celebrations

The

deerce 1 How party

Christmas among the general to change this, al population, they will not allow unlikely though perhaps

some older them in the party. people, who stopped going to

are

by

Eve Christma On

our enlendari

his

for the Orthodox Church.

A he enters,

sprinkles

wheat

wife

she

it with gruins of

and maize which

has been holding

in a sleve.....

and. If they are town dwellers,

with

sweets and candies as well. put on

The badnjak is then

the Are.

The wile

armful

of

in

through house, with straw in commemoration of the stable in which Christ

was born.

church for various reasons the past, will now return.

Balkan Satellites

the

bad

was

In

(

Poland

such

are

**

their work.

Io Poland, Christmas ushered in by the first stor that appears on Christmas Eve.

or-

The Latvian ploncers, mem- bers of the Soviet youth

have their own ganisation.

New Year's fancy

Traditional

dress carnival

In the historic

Riga castle on December 31.

or us

there dressed The children go up as clowns, characters out of

as animals. fairy-tales

The "big bosses" of Latvia's Communist party and high the Russian officials celebrate New Year with vodke,

caviar At exclu- and other delicacies sive restaurants, like the former In the centra "Olto Schwartz

The Foles then sit down Communists first When the

Christmas dinner, an enormous Look over power in

these Eastern European lands, Hung- spread with 12 different dishes, takes now

Humania representing the 12 Apostles. stray

goes ary, Czechoslovakia, und

Few families can afford more every

the and Bulgaria, they tried ruth- room of

than three or four dishes now- floor lessly to eliminate Christmas an boxtrewing the

These usually old adays, however. "A relle

Include barszcz soup, a red

of Riga. capitalist era."

bouillon, cooked with red beef- But when they found that the

Christmas church services in 1001 custom

too

and mushrooms; cooked Christian

Latvia are held according to the among the earp, with grey sauce, sweet- rooted strongly

old orthodox calendur on Jan- ened with raising and almonds; they

the bowed to people,

allowed Polish Christmas uary 8. They stor

and tried to substitute traditional

key emolally, but those who attend to turkey for the foods corresponding festival # Communist

are mostly old people. in England. As по meat

This

oven Christian one.

however, Eve. Christmas

year,

with the So "Father Winter" or "Grand- allowed D

young people mix father Frost" come on Decem- which is a day of abstinence,

church-goers as Latvian news- reported an in- cows and bleating ber 24 to Budapest and Prague, among the favourite fish courses

papers have is fried pike with mushroom

creased observance of religious smaller bringing toys and clothing and

souce. Soviet Union. of food from the

rites among teenagers.

her The family calch on to skirt and follow her in single fle about the house, uttering cries of farms

animals. The housewife herself calls "kvo- kvo-kvo," to represent a broody

hep

her husband imitates

the elder children the

cock, mooing of

of sheep, ond children

chickens.

the

the

the chirping

now not be Even fron Christmas

But they wear the traditional red cloaks and hoods, the high boots and the long white beards of the Christian Father Christ-

The house may cleaned for three days, the crumbs which full

table Ginner must be left,

On Christmas day, the family get up at dawn, to greet the bring who should first guest, luck to the household for the

He next year.

Is welcomed with long and ancient ritual.

The husband goce to church on Christmas morning. But his wife stays at home to cook the Christmus

dinner

roust of suckling pig and a cake with a which plece of money inside

be found by one lucky will member of the familly.

One old custom, not mitted since the war, decreed

the head of the

inaa. during

that

on

ап

Before sitting down to fable, uncon- the hostess takes secrated water and allows each guest to break a pleco. Having thus commemorated the sacri- fire of Christ, the guests kiss and wish each other u happy Christmas.

arc

Estonia

will spend

BUY AMERICAN ACT

President Authorises

Preference To Unemployment Areas

Washington, Dec. 21.

President Eisenhower has authorised the Government to give preference to areas of substantial unemployment in making purchase under the "Buy American" Act of 1933.

Government con- The law provided that preference in award of tracts shall be given to domestic supplies, as against foreign suppliers, unless the domestic bid is deemed “unfavourable" or inconsistent with the public interest.

HONGKONG STOCK EXCHANGE

от

the

ofter arrival in

has,cosis incurred President Eisenhower issued an executive order setting the United States and (2), 10 up two methods for determin-per cent of such bid exclusive ing whether a domestic sup- of such duty and costs.

Under the Recom

wand method plier's bid is "unreasonable." The White House explained when the price amounts to less there has beers a wide variation in than $25,000, in the interests of

administrative simplicity.

only depart- the way Government

applicable duly need be ments and agencies have 'doter-

excluded from the bid or offered mined whether to accept reject a domestle or foreign vid. price in making a determination.

The order pormils rejection of United Press, foreign bid In any situation in low-bidder (From Our Correspondent) which the domestic

all would produce substantially

ms of sub- Business done on the Hong-of the materials in ortas kong Stock Exchange this morn-stanttal unemploymen',

President agrees such ing amounted to

the $838.412,00 vided Noon quotations and the morn preference would be in ing's transactions:

national interest.

The two methods which the SIFARES BUYERS Kellers Sales President's order established for determining whether a domestic 1080 1080 120 in 2000 | supplies bid is unreasonable:

HANKS

HR. Bank..

INSURANCES

Union Lombard .... Underwriter.

DOCKS, ETC. K. Wharf

915 91716 51 0.40

40 $15

all

-9:4

the

World Rubber|

Markets

Singapore, Dec. 21

India

Making Cheap Pens

New Delhi, Dec, 21.

Cheap fountain Delta manufactured by collage industries in India cont only two ANAM (2d sterling) caoli,

The most expensiva Indian fountain pen conte auly 17 rupees (about £1.38 sterling). It is claim- ed to be a good on the bext American manufac tured pens,

India will shortly start manufacture of more ex- pensive fountain pens, It was announced in Parila- ment-Beuter.

NEW YORK

STOCK

MARKET

New York, Dec. 21. The stock market balance 'held to the upside in active Hession today despite some Irregularity which appeared as investors began evening- up operations before the weekend holiday and the coming year-end.

Gains of 4 points to $100 Goodyear tyro and 11% points to

After opening steudy, with $105 in Bethlehem Steel bolster- business done at 90 cents for ed the industrial average, lifting January, the market csatd and it to another all-time peak.

with pront Or a total 1,234 Issues appear- became irregular taking and selling. The marketing on the tape. 621 closed eased further

In the afternoon higher, 450 lower, with 141 1 now highs and two setting now but closed slightly, stendler, There was some trade support lows. during the day but factories showed little interest.

Future closings: No. 1 rubber per lb. Jan. 136-193

Fab. 881-00 Mar, unquoted The domestic price will be No. a rubber per tb. Jan. 8819-0912 deemed unreasonable if it

OVER 108 PER CENT 1. The bid or offered price of a domestic suppiler will be deemed wrtasonable if it la 8814 1000 фев Dook .....

500 28.80

greater than 100 per cent of the Provident, (0) 1815 14.80 200 or 151; bid or offered price of the Wheelook

0.00 1700 0,03

foreign bidder, including applic

costa incurred 13.10 15.20 2000 10,20 able duty, and

1000 15.10 after Trival in the United

1030 states. 0615 073

LAND. ETC.

HK. Hotel

exceeds the sum of (1), the No. 4 foreign bid or offered price, in- Spot rubber unbated

Blanket crepe and No. pale crepo

HK. Land

400 0 07

Humphreys 24.00 25 Resty

..... 2071 2.13 UTILITIES

Tram

1000 & 21,40

21.30.21.40 4.300 21.40cluding applicable duty

1150 21.40

104 100

Star Ferry A. 150 Yaumati

Ferry

C. Light (0) 17.30 16.20 3600

Light (N) 13.00 15.10 Electric

30 1000 .... 3015

Telephone ... 311 *2 500

Volume totalled 3,000,000 shares only slightly below yes- | terday's 3,770,000 shares.

Oils were among the best per- formers with a gain of 2% to $704 in Philips Petroleum. 1

Curtiss-Wright, responding to 3414-6815 news that the Company is B04-8015

developing big turboprop 13-84 D4-55 engine which would provide greally increased earning for commercial planes, ran up

NEW YORK Futures today

closed

G

10 point to $15% on the day's

World Cotton points higher to 15 points lower second most active turnover.

INDUSTRIALS

Cenent

Rope

3014 40 700 @ 3015

19.10

STORES, ETC.

Dairy

24.40 Dairy Ata ..10.00 Walson

1200 # 24% 18.20 2000 48 10.10

Lane

t

Cranford..

$7.20

an

.... 0,50 €80

500 1⁄2

4.30 4.3716 1000 4.34 2000 @ 4.3715

COTTONE

Textiles Nonym MISCELLANEOUS

Many Estonians their Christmas in toil and number in darkness,

Under the Communist regime, Christmas holidays are banned. Another Christmas features Instead, the citizens

celebrate

Yangtzo... 0.80 placed between the table New Year, ceasing work at hay, and table-cloth in remembrance no on New

Allied Eve and at Bethlehem starting again on January 2 of fuel of the manger

In some parts of Poland, the

f

18

the

tho

ary 2 Only in the more populous

will Estonians

be

Markets

1 to 10

tradition of keeping an empty localities

for an unexpected guest able to enjoy either their New New York Sugarboles by mill Interests, divided sent also survives.

no

üre

One of the main aims of the "new line" policy adopted in all

states the Soviet satellite Eastern Europe in the last months Was

to increase supply of

goods, consuuner eliminate the shortage and light, and improve supply of food and drink.

The Press of these Innis has

Year

of their evening holiday promised that last year's short-

Christmas Eve Christmas after the Christmas Day's

rest ago of fuel and light will not

still work. In a number of country be repeated "If only the miners Day and Boxing Day are will increase their output." But public holidays, but the Com- districts where there is there have been many speeches munists have "moved" Christ- electricity, candies, oil, lamps,

and even pocket torches per-recently blaming the miners for mas trees in schools and pubile and

to Now Yorr's Day, pro places

scarce. Farmers have been writ being behind with their

A Nevertheless, house duction and admitting that

reports reaching ing to newspapers like "Rahyn wrong polley with regard te hero indicate that most Polish Haal" complaining and urging should any grace when the agriculture" has resulted again families manage to get hold of that supplies be sent to shops was brought in and then bring

country his revolver out

in these and fire in insuficient supplies of food trees of their own for Christ-

for joy and drink.

mas Eve.

The Communist New Year through the window

of "While we concentrated The other male guestr

would

our to then also draw their revolvers trying grow cotton,

celebrations are very much like

un- to an wheat yield fell and shoot,

paralleled low level," one Hun

wrote recently. garlan paper "While we tried to grow lemons and too, our vineyards Five thousand Russian dren, taught by their teachers orchards went to be atheists, will get the ruin." thrill of their lives

There are indications that an at midnight everyone goez when

effort will be made, "Grandfather Frost" walks into all-out

to try to give the the Kremlin on January 7, the however, day on which the Russian people more satisfaction Orthodox Church, following the Christmas than last. old calendar, celebrates Christ- TORS,

districts.

Market

New York, Dec. 21. World No. 4 sugan futures closed today unchanged to points higher with sales of 417 contracts.

This

ΣΩΟΓΟ

with sales of 181 contracts,

Lowly Benguet Consolidated was the most active issile. It Nearby deliveries strengthened rose 1 to 114 on blocks rang-

anding to 100,000 shares.

after а

mixed

start

He consumption

Bgures for

000,

Porta

March

May

July

Sept.

that

tons

LONDON

#

30.50-53 30.25 30.03

30.00

tho

The market was quiet with

Stock Ex-. was 1,200,000

DOW-JONES AVERAGEŠ

Dow-Jones

were as follows:

30 Industrials

20

15 iltica

13 Atocka

40 bonds.............

closing averages

720.11

144.13

100.50

Comm. future price index. 100.80

Unitert Prest,,

Singapore

Stock Market

Singapore, Dec. 22. Brokers today"quoted the fol No. 1 spot Rss quoted at. 28lowing stock prices:

Prices; ponce per ib. No. I spot Rss..... Settlement house term:

in face of disappointing domes- Tyres were lower.

The New York Stock Ex- New York, Dec, 21. November. The latter totalled change bond volume was 4,230,-

the 110.370 Cotton traders crowded

long

compared auction in today's sessions Into

with 113,749 tona in October. The American and closing | Nows that"the Government. "will the opening

change volume dealings.

sell 02,000 tons of synthetle in shares.

also had In between time, prices sec- March

sobering sawed narrowly, but maintained effect.

"overtone of steadiness under

positions Later, the nearby now leadership of the

crop moved

of up because

the months.

paucity and higher priced At the close the list ruled 4

Singapore offerings, plus re- three steamers, points lower to 12 points higher, Opening prices were unchanged scheduled to arrive in Decem- to up 3 points, New Oricans

ber with some 10,000 tons, may loged up 1

points. around Purchases of

10,000 Dot come in until Jan. Fnatory Interest buying

was cautious with

the big manufacturers between the

March und May bidding 14

cont

sunter dellverice, dominated the open Local. Spot No. 1 Rss were inga

demand readily quoted at 30% cents. absorbed a heavy overnight ac

Future closings were! cumulation of hedge selling,

largely from the Far originating Western sections of the belt.

Monday's spot market sales totalled 117,736 bales. Damestic No. 4 sugar futurca than half of which were re- the Fresno and 1 point ported from closed unchanged to

Trading volumes and opening lower with sales of 70 contracts Lubbock centres. the former Christmas festivides

Steadiness in the world con- interests in the Exchange today of independent Estonia.

tract followed the raw market, wero: Month

Open Interest Christmas trees are set up in the

the cities. of

and

Dealers in the domestic mar-Dec aquares

of the villages, ket were retarded while tradersary on the greens and the presents. The rest of the and children dance round them awaited the Washington, en-Hy to rack and evening is spent singing Polish Stufed squirrels and rabbits and are favourite · Christmas tree carols, called "kolendy,"

MAT. May to decorations.

is topped An Agriculture Department Tafet Nowadays, the tree

to appropriate by a big red star and the hearing on how

songs next year's marketing quota dancing children sing praising the Soviet leaders and for, sugar beets was delayed There will be more consumer Privalo persons in Latvia, the the Soviet way of life. Massed indefinitely, goods in the shops, moro razor former Protestant Baltic Be choirs, a traditional feature of

add public,

to sell Estonian life, both In the blades, toys, shirts, boots

are forbidden shore, and other things con- "Christmas trees for the New dependence period and under sidered necessities in Western Year festival which under the the Soviet regime, will in many Europe but become luxuries in Soviet regime replaces the places lead the song round the the Eastern capitals.

"bourgcols" Christmas.

tree. According to Latvian Com- Parties and carnivals will also munist newspapers, there is a be arranged by culture work which have lively demand for Christmas (OTA' chaba, public buldings, also become luxuries,

trees among the population. But restaurants and the communal mas ie "superstitious survival Football fans who went re- the trees are filled, and market palaces of culture. of capitalism,

Awaltod 10 Budapest for

The most edgerly the od by the State Forestry ecently "Grandfather

Frost is the Austria-Hungary football match, organisations only. And they guest at each of these parties. Russian vatsion

of Father reported that the magnificent may not be said before Decim will be "Old Man January the

of pre-war Budapest have her 27

name for Father

Soviet Union.

chil

to

this

For thest Communist young stera, it will be a party celebrate the New Year. Christ mas means nothing to them. In the Pioneer children's organien-

There will also be more tion, they are taught to believe oranges, nuts, eggs, butter and that there is a scientifle answer for everything and that Christ other foodstuffs,

After dinner,‘averyone.

round the tree for that tion of the presents which lie in a heap at fis foot. In some families, one member dresses up as Santa Claus and distributes

Christmas Mass.

Latvia

Every

DOW

in-

buyer is handed a rom Chetan meg in red and

Christmar, but for children in | "wardd. They added th9k|ent to show that his purchase with a long. Whild, Board, hơi

the Soviet Union, the white- bearded old man who

which were on sale

Eddy

andi

bulas 7 toys and sweets is a wero - symbol puls

the New Year, when compared with Despite an extensive

was a legal one

anti- and price in Viento autoatăre of Christmas Christrino, SE AGAFTER

will hand out promnie to the This ban on private isalos has children just like a real Father

cerenaith run by the Videch s

thousandia

The people in the streets retroos. Moreover lumberjoke Chlléren

the visitors from afton refiles to work during the Mar, holld faithful bellovers, Vienged immunodiately because actual Christmas day Apache che N. fare ogled in Fitaslam will go they were so much battur drenge On Christmas Day, work con the local tinten aan de taruntain Latvia

schools, and factories, and?? söllective) farmm, Deovidech

tntroh on Chriz shan. Eve for ad?

Masses which will go pogution.

Grabiasfalthough, thér

nouncement on the 1958 quota, which came out after the close,

aflor

Postponement camo Robert A. Shields, President of the V. S. Beet Sugar Associa tion, announced the precursora themselves wero close to agro- mene na voluntary assignments of the 1,800,000 tons sugar beet quote,

Futuro closings:

Control No. 4. {world}

Feb. Mar, Apr/June July/Sept.

Oct./Dec.

General markets, elf basis, ports:

Volume

none $4,000 31,900

**200*

937,000

1.173,900

564,000

X000

139,500

Jan.

1.800

00,700

Tou.

o

31000

Mer.

500

30,500

sale ore pe

146app

2.026.700 baler

thick Jan,

NEW YORK

Prices of futures closed today. of follows:

Spot

Mar.

July

Mar. May

AMSTERDAM

Dec. 31 Dec, 22

Closing, Opening

Jeum Byndicate, 3. XM

2012-20%

British Borneo Pairo-

20-284

231-201

20-25

| Fenser de Neave, Ordinary kantie

$1.07

$1,077

2314-20

295% - Dum. pret, što

10.00

23-23.

Hongkong de Stiang-

hal lonic Colonint

231-20 23.13/10-20

Register)

$1,050

81.000

Ruffles Hotel

12.72

$2.72

2334-20

2714

Bingapore

Cokt

Storage

$1.00

$1.00

{South ."Brtitud

32306

3. od.

Bw. Gd.

$3.40 $3,40

Caine Stats Special.

The market was firm. Prices closed today in rullders per

| kilogram; 'eli Jun. as follows:

No. 1 rubber

---* 7.57, buJez 2.51 Luyer's ........... 140-buyers 2.09_buyera United Pres

...

23.150

54.77

€ 35,03-04

34.10

No. ebber

35,00

[No. 3 rūðbur

20.10

(No." Crops

-35.39

NEW ORLEANS Pricer of futures closed today as follows:

Host:

7.17

LIVERPOOL

London Foreign

Exchange

Lond

'New York

York Foreign Exchange

Hongkdog___Tim Petaling Tin

Chicago Grain Prices

Mr. Chicago, Dec. 214. Prices per bushel in cents:"E

Whest, No. 2, red

Spot

Dad: 2303% (FX) 228(L), May

Closing prican

be,bow