BRITAIN’S TRADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 226, 22 August 1940, Page 8

BRITAIN’S TRADE

WELL MAINTAINED. , ANSWER TO GERMANY. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ' (British Official W'neiess.) Received August 22, 11.58 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 21. United Kingdom exports in July were valued at £31,189,244 against £36,211,458 in June and £40,355,025 iu July last year. Imports totalled £87,007,530 against £90,779,741 in June, and £78,251,309 in July last year. The respective totals for re-ex-ports in the three months were £l,818,264, £2,003,569, and £3,725,254. For the first seven months in 1940 exports were, £280,628,217 against £276,618,612 in the corresponding period of 1939, and £270,628,328 in the first scveii months of 1935. Imports at £698,542,049 compared with £625.435,709 in the first seven months of 1939, and £525,435,700 in the corresponding period of 1938. Re-exports at £21,191,974 wore £10,600,000 less than at this date last year and £16,150,000 less than for the same period of 1935. The full effect of tho cessation of trade with Italy and with invaded and inaccessible territory was felt for the first time in July. A substantial fall in both import and export trade with a large part of Europe was inevitable. On the other hand the United Kingdom exports to the ports of North and South America have been increasing throughout- the year, and last month the value of such exports was the •highest so far recorded. The considerable increase in imports in July compared with the same month iast year was mainly in resjject of raw materials and wholly or mainly manufactured goods. Imports of food, drink and tobacco decreased by £2,551,132. The decline in exports of £9,165,781 includes the fall of £441,909 in wholly or mainly manufactured goods. In the raw materials section there was a decrease of £2,769,645, coal alone declining by £1,998,574.

Attention to the fact that no details of German imports and exports were ever announced was drawn by tho Daventry commentator to-day. lie pointed out that, the latest trade figures were rather remarkable for a country which, according to Berlin, had had its shipping stopped and porta destroyed ! On the other hand, no Gorman ship could sail anywhere in Ihc World without being pounced on by a British warship.