TRADE OUTLOOK.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 10, 7 October 1907, Page 5

TRADE OUTLOOK.

A DECUNE IN RAW MATERIALS. MOTOR CAR CRISIS. DEAR FOOD IN PROTECTED GERMANY. By Telegraph—Association—Copyright. (Rec, Oct. 6, 4.55 p.m.) '- London, October 6. Tho " Economist" ' says that the averago declino in prices of principal commodities during September is 22.5 per cont. Tho declino is manifested chiefly in tho quotations of raw material used in staplo industries. Tho previous excessive rise, particularly in coal, checked the demand, and tho declino is in nowise an unmixed evil, and should help to regulate the ebb of tho industrial tide, and to mitigate the disturbance and distress attending the pause in tho manufacturing industry-.. - v Wo havo not tho Index Number for August, but for the other months of the year tho figures wero as follow: — January 2491, February 2521, March 2516, April 2549, May 2GOI, June 2594, July 2571. Sinco May tho trend has boon downwards, and except for n fow items of foodstuffs, such ns wheat and, flour, prices of commodities have declined. The metals, especially copper and tin, are very much lower thaii they wore in August.' HA&D "WINTER EXPECTED. Berlin, October 5. The newspapers direct- attention to the great increase in the prices of household foodstuffs, and predict privations during the winter. Germany is a high protectionist country, and all foodstuffs carry heavy duties to conciliate the agrarian section. _ All efforts to introduce frozen meat into the country have failed, and tho present position points to tho probability of an increased consumption of horse-flesh and dog-flesh. SILVER CURRENCY. Berlin, Octobor 6. It is reported that the Government proposes to increase tho silver currency to the extent of fifteen million ■ sterling. ■ 1 ' At the end of July tho Imperial Bank of Germany, held £46,183,000 in coin and bullion, presumably gold. The note circulation amounted to £71,880, 000, and as monoy is rather dear in Germany just now this may bo a roundabout way of furnishing supplies, 'i'ho annuoncement should 'have a favourable effect on tho price of silver. OVER-PRODUCTION. ■ London) October 5. Tho "Daily Mail's" Paris correspondent states that there is. a crisis in tho French motor car industry, which is duo to a decline in large orders and to over-production sof high-priced cars. It' is feared that a dozen firms will fail. During 1906, Fiance produced 55,000 automobiles, the United States 58,000, England 27,000, Germany 22,000, Italy 18,000. -France held tho premier, position until last year.