OVERSEA MARKETS

Southland Times, Issue 18836, 1 June 1920, Page 5

OVERSEA MARKETS

CONDITIONS I,ESS BUOYANT. TRAD ER S CO NC ER N ED. .Special to the Times.) CURISTCHURCir. May 31. Indications have been apparent of latent a reversal in the previous buoyant condition of the overseas markets where certain foodstuffs, cotton, silk and woollen goods are concerned, says to-night’s Sun. To-day there is undoubtedly a feeling of concern amongst traders, and, indeed, the attitude of many retailers is also one of some anxiety. The position is peculiar. There is an impression that the attitude of banking concerns in shortening credits has caught .speculators who have been dealing in raw material.-, with the result of depressing the markets, but on a great many imported lines the rate of production has not caught up with the world demand. There seems little chance under these conditions of such goods receding in price. On other classes of goods the question exercising importers is whether or not the markets have been affected solely on account of a financial stringency affecting operators. If the financial aspect is solely the reason, then it is thought that the markets will build up again, but us yet traders are relying on the shreds of cabled information, and they profess therefore that they have not arrived at definite conclusions on the matter. There are indications of the spread of the concern amongst financial interests. Business has fallen off considerably in the Stock Exchange markets throughout the Dominion and many classes of shares have in consequence slightly eased back in price. On the other hand, there is no lack of money for investment in the Dominion. Solicitors report receiving an unusually large number of applications to find investments by way of mortgage in freehold securities.