WHERE To FIND HAULAGE
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BUSINESS
A Feature Which Hauliers will Find Helpful in Estimating and Anticipating Chances for Obtaining Contracts .
QENERALLI speaking, trade reports are not so good this week as they were last week. It seems that the tendency in nearly all industries is to hesitate while the effects of the new import duties make themselves evident. it may be anticipated, therefore, that the inevitable reaction from this attitude, whatever the results of the duties, will in the near future influence business favourably.
Observant hauliers must have noticed the effect, in many districts, of the cold spell, which considerably enlivened the business in coal for domestic purposes ; the only disadvantage appears to be that it was too short. The possibility of a recurrence should not, however, be overlooked.
North-east Coast.
The only. signs of optimism in and around Newcastle and district are to be .fourid injhe buil-ding trades, whieh..do not seem to have been affected by the change in the weather conditions. Corresponding activity is also to be noted in the timber business. West Hartlepool, in particular, is finding plenty of trade for its timber yards, especially in the way of orders for sawn wood (as distinct from logs).
The coal business in Newcastle is described as just jogging along ; in Durham it is distinctly slack.
Yorkshire.
Reports from the Bradford area are a little brighter. Woollen and rayon goods are in better demand, and, if the strike of operatives in the heavy-woollen areas could be settled, it is believed that business generally would show a pronounced upward trend. A German concern, to combine in some way stith a well-known velvetmanufacturing concern, is concluding arrangements to produce in Bradford.
In Middlesbrough, the constructionalsteel departments of the engineering shops are busy, and manufacturers of galvanized corrugated sheets are better employed than of late.
Sheffield reports steadily increasing activity at all factories which are employed on the manufacture of stainlesssteel goods. There is a good • demand from London for small artieles of hardware made of this material. Makers of drills, saws and similar small tools report better business. The coal trade has felt the benefit of the cold spell.
There is to be an exhibition of Sheffield wares in London during.May. Hauliers should Make a note Of this, and obtain further details on the spot. it is bound to cause a demand for the direct doorto-door transport that only road hauliers can provide. Plant for the lowtemperature carbonization of coal is, in the near future, to be erected locally.
Lancashire.
The cotton trade can be said to be just jogging along. There is a little more activity in rayon, but business generally is held up because of the strike of operatives in the Burnley district. The cold snap helped the business in coal for domestic purposes, but the strike has reacted to the detriment of sales of industrial coal.
A small factory has been opened at Collyhurst, Manchester, for the manufacture of radio goods. It is expected that it will shortly be enlarged. A concern making corn-milling machinery in Rochdale is engaging extra hands because of the receipt of several important orders.
Midlands.
The lassitude brought-on by the tendency to await results of the tariff seems to be more evident in the Midlands than anywhere. In Birmingham trade is dull generally, as well as in Stafford. Northampton reports a very slight improvement in the boot and shoe trade ; in Leicester, too, the leather trade shows an upward trend. It is anticipated that the pottery business ofStokeon-Trent will shortly mend.
South Wales.
The coal trade here is in an unsatisfactory state, the only bright spot being in the anthracite area, that kind of coal being in steady demand. The iron and steel business is quiet The Great Western Railway Co. has placed contracts to the Value of 1504000 in connection with cranes and dock gates for Barry and a new parcels depot at Cardiff Station.
East Anglia.
The boot and shoe trade. in Norwich • : appears to have recovered from the temporary set-back to which reference was made last week. Business is brisker, and it is believed that this stirring is only the prelude to a comparatively busy period.
Scotland.
The outlook here is still none too bright. The leather factories in Glasgow are a little busier, and the makers of black sheet steel have good orders for the lighter gauges.
West Country.
The prospects of the imposition of a tariff have caused timber merchants to take what steps they can to replenish their stocks before the end of this month. There is consequently a certain liveliness in the docks and timber yards. Readers should note that it will terminate with February.
London and Home Counties.
In London the inquiries for iron and steel show a certain unexpected briskness, but the resulting orders are not, as yet, in proportion. It is reported that a large factory in Watford has been bought by a concern making optical goods.