BRITISH EXPORT TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 6

BRITISH EXPORT TRADE

TO THE EDITOR. Sir —ln view of the coming Imperial Conference and the pleas of the Press, (oth here and abroad, for trade Within the Empire,” the following figures make interesting reading, they are taken from the latest number of a well-known English trade journal, the ?, Drapers’ Record,’ which* reads as follows: —‘ ‘ It is of interest to note the distribution of British exports at the present time. The Board of Trade has fust issued an analysis of the figures for the nine months to the end of September, 1931, and these show that 61.16 per cent, of the goods exported during I that period went to foreign countries and 38.84 per cent, to British countries. This proportion is practically the same as in 1930, and shows hardly any variation as compared with 1913, though the volume of trade, of course, has fallen considerably. Taking the proportion exported to British countries, India took the biggest share at 9.17 per cent. Next came Canada and South Africa each was 6.04 per cent. Australia’s share was 4,07 per cent., and New Zealand’s 3.16 per cent. These figures form a rather remarkable comment upon the campaign for Empire trade. It is pretty clear that the dominions have succeeded in keeping British goods out of their markets to an extent that has reduced our trade to very small propor-

tions. If they pursue this policy, can they expect “ to sell their produce in increasing quantities to the Mother Country!' Turning to foreign countries, Britain’s best customer was France, with 6.29 per cent., followed by Gorin. iy with 4.98 per’ cent., the United States 4.69 per cent., and the Argentine 4.47 per cent. The European countries accounted for a good deal of the remainder.” Tho article concludes with the remark that “ these figures may surprise some traders. They certainly suggest that Europe is still well worth cultivating as a market for British goods.” Whilst I am writing on a subject relating to “ Empire trade,” could any of your readers tell me how it was that Cox’s Orange Pippin apples wore being offered for sale at tho Empire Fruit Show, held in Manchester in early November, at the enormous price of one sliding a pound, while in the ordinary retail shops Californian Newton Pipfins were being retailed at sixpence?— am, etc., Mancunian. January 19.