BRITISH TRADE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 13

BRITISH TRADE

DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT NOTED POSITION OUTLINED BY MR RUNCIMAN (BRITISH CmIC'IAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, February 19. Mr Walter Runciman, speaking at the British Industries Fair banquet, said that the definite improvement in home and overseas trade had continued. The increase in imports of raw materials for home industries was significant. The increase in value in 1934, compared with 1933, was £27,000,000. This was an index of renewed confidence and greater industrial activity. Great Britain's export trade in 1934, compared with 1933, rose in value by over £30,000.000, <r more than nine times the increase recorded a year ago. Exports reached in fact, a higher total than in any year since 1930. In particular, ex-

rts of manufactured articles, which constituted the main bulk of the export trade, offered grounds for comparative satisfaction. The total value of the export of British manufactured goods had risen from £282,000,000 in 1933 to £305.000,000 in 1934. The tonnage of iron and steel goods exported increased by 17 per cent. Railway materials, pipes and tubes showed a very marked improvement, and exports of machinery were 2 1 per cent, greater in tonnage, the increase being spread over nearly all the main classes. Equally striking was the increase in the number of motor-cars and chassis exported, which was 19 per cent, higher than the highest figure previously recorded. This improvement, coupled with their increased purchases from abroad, could be regarded as Great Britain's contribution to the recovery of world trade as a whole. The fair itself was an effort to set the wheels of world trade revolving less sluggishly.

BUILDING TRADE REVIVES (BRITISH Orril'lAl WIRELESS.) (Received February 20. 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, February 19. The recent development in the building trade is reflected in the Labour Ministry return. which shows that the estimated cost of buildings for which plans have been passed by the local authorities of 146 principal British towns in 1934 was £93,563,000. as against £83,682,100 in the previous year.