BRITISH TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 116, 20 May 1925, Page 9

BRITISH TRADE

A DULL BEGINNING.

Mr. W. D. Lambie, Acting-British Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, is advised by the Overseas Trade Department of the position of trade in Great Britain at the first quarter of the year. The oversea trade statistics for February were fairly satisfactory. Imports, following the movement usual at this time of the year, were substantially lower than in January, the total value being £110 millions, compared with £129 millions. Exports of domestic produce and re-exports were both slightly higher, despite the fact that the month was a short one.- Exports of cotton manufactures have done particularly well this year, tho value (£37.7 millions) being over £5 millions higher than last year. During January and February 31.9 million pounds of yard • and 825 million square yards of piece goods were exported, compared with 25.1 million pounds and 751 million square yards respectively in- the first two months of 1924. "Nevertheless, the present trend of trade generally j 3 - giving rise to some disappointment," the Acting-Commis-sioner was advised. ■ During the later months of last year there was a distinctly better feeling, and it was hoped that improvement in business would continue, and even be intensified in 1925. In fact, however, the volume of unemployment has remained practically stationary since the end of January, and reports from industrial centres generally tend to confirm this indication of a check to improvement in the situation. The advances and acceptances" of the clearing banks also point to a similar conclusion :— £ Millions. Dec, Jan., Feb., 1924. 1925. 1925. Advances 827.7 834.8 837.5 Acceptances, endorsements, etc. ... 109.9 117.4 114.4 Acceptances are lower, while the rise in advances apjtearg to be slackening.