BRITISH BUSINESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 245, 13 September 1933, Page 7

BRITISH BUSINESS

FURTHER EXPANSION OVERSEAS CONSIDERABLE ADVANCE SHOWN. ENCOURAGING RETURNS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received September 13, 11.40 a.m. RUGBY, Sept. 12. A further expansion of overseas trade is revealed in the Board of ■ Trade returns for the month of August. The imports were valued at £56,754,457, an increase of £1,048,231 over those of July. The total exports were of a value of £30,996,794, an increase over the July exports of £1,169,407. The July returns also show a considerable advance over thoso of the corresponding month of last year, there being an increase in ■imports of £3,432,077, and an increase in exports of £2,434,962.

The value of the imports of raw materials last month showed an increase of £4,750,000 and there was an increase of £2,250,000 in the value of exported manufactured goods. Another noteworthy feature is the reduction by £1,250,000 in the value of exported food and drink and tobacco.

From many reliable sources recently evidence has been forthcoming of a definite improvement in trading conditions in Great Britain. The best possible confirmation of this is provided by the returns issued to-day, which show that the improvement is not confined to a few trades and industries only, but to business generally. For the eight months to the end of August imports decreased by about £35,500,000, as compared with the corresponding period of last year, wliilq over the same period the decrease in exports was about £7,500,000, but in recent months the figures have tended to improve and those for August are regarded as exceptionally encouraging. The increase in imports is entirely due to larger amounts of raw materials entering the country. Some of the principal increases in exports, compared with a year ago, occur in iron, steel, non-ferrous metals, woollen manufacture, electrical goods, cutlery and hardware. British automobile exports also continue to increase.

DETAILED STATEMENT.

Received September 13, 9.45. a.m. LONDON, Sept. 12. The Board of Trade returns show that the principal increases are as follow: ' Imports: Wood and timber, £l.813,000; raw cotton, £1,025,000; wool, £795,000. , , Exports: Non-ferrous metals, and manufactures thereof, £824.000; raw wool, £275,000; woollen yarns and manufactures, £428,000. Decreases in imports were : Grain and flour, £432,000; food and drink, £438,000; oils and fats, £604,000.