A BAD BEGINNING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 37, 13 February 1931, Page 4

A BAD BEGINNING.

BRITISH OVERSEAS TRADE. GREATLY REDUCED RETURNS. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON. February 12. Following are the Board of Trade returns tor last month compared wit!) those of January. 1930; — Imports decreased £26,271.000. exoorts. £20,693.000 and re-exports £2,136.001). The principal decreases are:.—lmports, grain and flour. £2 078.000; non-dutiable food and drink, £3.023,000; raw coiton. £4.524,000; wool, £2,059.000; Mlier textile material, £1,107,000; non ferrous jneia's and manufactures thereof. £1.<>64,000; oils, fats and resin manufactures. £1,44.1000. Exports: Goal. £2.147,000; iron and steel and manufactures thereof, £2,605.000; machinery, £1.176.000; cotton and yaVus manufactures, £5,403,000; woollen, £1,680,003. January in Late Years. The following table shows the overseas' trade for the month of January in .'eceut years; — In Million Pounds. 1925. 1929. 1930. 1931. Imports 100.4 110 1 101.9 <.».b Exports .... 59.7 60.9 58.3 37.6 Re-exports .. 10.3 9.8 8.2 0.1 Total imi 192.8 168.4 119.3 Excess of imports over total exports ... 30.4 09,4 0<».4 ,»1.,)' After allowing for the bin drop in prices it is quite evident that last month was a quiet one for British trade. J.lie figures are lower than they have been for very many years. The most striding feature is the big drop in textile exports which account for over £7,000,000 ot the total reduction.