BRITISH TRADE BALANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18994, 16 April 1925, Page 7

BRITISH TRADE BALANCE.

UNSATISFACTORY OUTLOOK IMPORTS EXCEED EXPORTS. DOMINIONS' HELP NEEDED. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. LONDON. Apl, 14. The Board of Trade returns for March show that import's to Britain during that month increased by £9,165,220, exports by £9,200,512 and re-exports by £75,780. Tho principal increases were ; —lmports: Meat, £1,793,615; raw cotton, £4,209,210. Exports: Cotton yarns and manufactures, £3,107,914; vehicles, £1,165,520. Tho chief decreases in exports wero in coal, £1,833,572. A lengthy statistical report has been issued by the Empire Trade Development Union. This states that, whereas 21 foreign countries have made considerable progress in trade since the war, British industries have remained stagnant or have declined, British exports do not show signs of a real recovery, says the report. Foodstuffs imported into Britain increased last year by £62,000,000 to a total of £555,000,000. On the other hand British manufactures, which pay for imported foods, are 25 per cent, below the pre-war figure. The position would havn been worse still but for an increase in exports to tho Dominions. There has also been a huge increase in imported manufactures. Tho report concludes by saying that if tho British race is again to become supreme in industry it will only bo possible by immediate drastic action in association with the Dominions, on which Britain's overseas trade has become increasingly dependent.