28 JUNE 1930, Page 46

OIL PROBLEMS.

Underlying the cautious tone adopted by Viscount Bearsted, the chairman of the" Shell " Transport and Trading Company, at this week's meeting of that important concern, was a fairly optimistic note. He was evidently hopeful that over- production might be brought to a halt, and meanwhile the company, by reason of its magnificent organization, is, of course, in the fortunate position on the one hand of being able to withstand increased competition, if it should arise, and on the other hand is able to take the fullest advantage of any general agreement with regard to the stabilizing or prices. Moreover, the situation is helped by the considerable economies which have now been achieved in the handling of the crude product. As regards the past year, the report which Lord Bearsted had to present to the shareholders was an excellent one and evoked approval from some of the shareholders present at the meeting.

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