BRITAIN’S TRADE FIGURES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 12

BRITAIN’S TRADE FIGURES

Commentary On German Blockade Effort

(Britisa Official Wireless.) (Received August 23, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 22.

The publication of the Board of Trade figures showing that during the seven months ended July imports in’o Britain amounted to £698,500,000, including £268,000,000 worth of food stuffs, offers an eloquent commentary on the German efforts to convince their people that Britain is on the verge of starvation.

The Nazi radio yesterday asserted that her “total blockade” announced on Saturday would complete the starvation process in the not distant future. As this “blockade” has for many months been as "total” as the Germans are capable of making it, the threat arouses no concern here.

It is recognized that the occupation of the French coast has enabled the enemy to wage intensified war on British ships passing up the Channel, yet in July about £87,000.000 worth of goods were imported. The further fact emerges that from the trading areas still open to Britain imports in July showed a 60 per cent, increase this year, compared with last year, and the value of exports, to the trading area was £21,500,000 higher than in July, 1939. Exports to North and South America, which have been increasing steadily, reached the highest level in July since the outbreak of war.

The “Daily Telegraph,” commenting on the food situation in relation to these figures, says: “Actually we know from official sources that our food stocks are substantially higher than they have ever been before. The mer chant shipping tonnage under our control is greater than at the outbreak of war, and the enemy leas not the smallest prospect of interrupting the abundant How of our supplies from overseas.”