WHERE TO FIND HAULAGE BUSINESS
Page 67
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TTIEprospects this week are brighter than they have been since the beginning of the year. Whether this be the aetnal result of tariff impositions, or anticipations thereof, or whether it be the outcome of the feeling that conditions are, at least, settled, cannot be stated. with certainty.
North-east Coast.
The coal industry in Newcastle-onTyne shows slight improvement, particularly in certain qualities, such as steam coal. Gas coke is also selling a little more freely, whilst the cold weather has benefited the house-coal section of the trade. Durham is not so busy as Northumberland. It is expected that the iron and steel trade will also improve soon, to the benefit of the local coal trade., ..
Considerable developments are occurring in the electrical trade in this area, especially in respect of the manufacture of electrical switch gear. Plans are well forward for the production of electrical water-heating equipment.
Yorkshire.
It is now definitely confirmed that the amalgamation of Peltzer and Lister, the German and English velvet-Making concerns, has taken place. " Work has now begun on new sheds at Addington Mills, Bradford ; 100 new looms are being installed and 200 workpeople will at once be provided with work. The products will be artificial silks, chiffons and velvets. Further new buildings are to be erected.
Middlesbrough reports a slight improvement in the demand for manufactured iron and steel, producers of constructional steel are busy and there is an increased demand for sheets. Orders for heavy steel scrap are increasing.
In Sheffield the makers of stainless. steel and nistless-iron goods are busy. There is a revival in the demand for agricultural implements, and better business in small machine and edged tools. The Stanton ironworks are now producing their cast-iron road sections in quantity.
Lancashire.
Both Liverpool and Manchester report improved demand from all quarters for all kinds of raw cotton. The outlook in Manchester is more cheerful than it has been for some weeks, there being a large volume of new inquiries. This applies equally to raw cotton, to yarn and to cloth. There is better news from India and the home trade is brisklag up.
In the silk and rayon industries the demand is satisfactory. There are increased orders for yarn, cloth is in good request, and retail-trade reports ate good. The continuation of the strike in the Burnley area is the only black spot in the Lancashire textile trade.
The engineering industry in this area is also expected to improve shortly. The boot and shoe trade is better.
An Austrian glass manufacturer is building a factory at St. Helens. A Dutch concern has taken over a mill at Accrington for the manufacture of textile goods, and, in the same town, another mill is being used, in part, by a German concern to make silk for ties.
Midlands.
The boot and shoe trade is at last showing signs of improvement, reports of better business coming from Northampton, Kettering and Stafford. Orders are stated to be plentiful and factories to be becoming active. Deliveries for Easter trade should soon commence. In Nottingham, employment in the hosiery aud lace trades is increasing and every department of these trades is improving. Prospects are bright and a good season is expected. At Hinckley a German hosiery concern is opening a factory. Trade in Birmingham is, generally speaking, quiet. Makers of galvanized sheets are booking more orders than hitherto.
South Wales.
Anthracite sales remain good. Even the threat of the 15 per cent. surtax on imports into France had no effect.
The tin-plate trade is in a healthy state, with many good inquiries and orders from places hitherto untapped.
East Anglia.
The improvement in the condition of the hoot and shoe trade in this area noted last week continues, and it is anticipated that even busier times are coming.
Scotland.
A new factory is shortly to be opened at Balloch, Loch Lomond, and 300 workers will be needed at the cornmenceirient of operations. A Swiss maker of silks is to open a large factory at Dunfermline. The iron and steel trade expects improved conditions next month. Meanwhile business in blacksteel sheet continues to be satisfactory. Conditions in the markets for black and galvanized sheets are steadier.
London and Home Counties.
The boot and Shoe trade is quiet, but hopeful of betterbusiness in preparation for and during Easter. The hat trade in Luton, referred to last Week as brightening, .centimies to show. a healthy trend. Coal sales imprcited during the cold snap, ..but that went tee. quickly. A Belgian concern has acquired premises at Watford for the manufacture of biscuits.: Mention Was. made 'last week of the American concern which is opening an optical fact-dry in• the same town.