FINANCIAL NOTE.
Business on the Stock Exchange has been severely restricted during the past week, as is frequently the case during the closing days of the year. Apart, however, from a setback in some of the gilt-edged securities, the tone has been wonderfully steady. The Foreign Exchanges, on the other hand, have been in a feverish condition during the week as a result of the extraordinary rumours—subsequently denied—circulated from the United States with regard to a possible international loan for Germany. I hope, in my letter next week, to deal with some of the outstanding financial features of the year, with some comments on present market