THE REVIVAL OF ENGLISH TRADE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1465, 2 June 1879, Page 3

THE REVIVAL OF ENGLISH TRADE.

The Board of Trade returns for the month of March are, says the Standard, of a more satisfactory character than those published for some time past. The main features are that while the percentage of decrease m the imports, compared with the corresponding period of last year, is about the Bamo as it was m February, m the exports the rate of decline shows a sharp reaction m March compared with the previous month. In other words, while there is practically little change as regards the imports, the exports show a marked tendency to improvement. If the volume of the export trade of last month was less than m March, 1878, the deficiency shown by the comparison contrasts favorably with the similar deficiency m February. The total value of British and Irish produce exported during March is H6,170,000, against L 16.756.000 m March last year, or a decrease of only 3jt per cent, the similar decrease for February having been 14| per cent. For March, 1877, the total exports were L 16,920,000, compared with which the present total presents a decrease of 4& per cent. The total imports for the past month figure at L' 29,840,000 against L33,1C8,000 m March last year, showing a decrease of 10 per cent, the equivalent percentage for February having been 10J per cent. Compared with 1877, when the total was L 35,299,000, the decrease is 15J per cent. Tho quantity of corn imported is 23 per cent less than at the corresponding period last year, while the value has diminished 37^ percent, being L 1,726,000, 726,000 against L2,755>,000 m 1878. Both for for quantity and value these percentages are approximately the same as those for February. As regards the results for the first three months of the year combined, the aggregate exports amount to L 43,080,000 against L 47,076,000 for the first quarter of 1878, or a decrease of 8J per cent. For the imports the total value is L84,8G8,000 compared with L 95,953,000 last year, or a decline for the three months of 11£ per cent. Descending to the various details of the return, among the exports cotton yarn shows a decrease of 5J per cent m quantity and 10£ m value, against 16f and 21 per cent respectivoly m February ; cotton piece goods have increased 4£ m quantity, but decreased l£ m value ; linen and jute yarn have increased 2 per cent m quantity, but decreased 2 per cent m value ; linen piece goods increased 5J per cent m quantity and 8J per cent m value, compared with about 24 per cent m both value and quantity during February ; woollen and worsted yarn decreased 13 per cent m quantity and 21 per cent m value, against 18J and 26| per cent respectively m February ; woollen cloths declined 14 per cent m quantity and 18J per cent m value ; worsted stuffc decreased 12£ per cent m quantity and 14 per cent m value ; silk manufactures declined 14j per cent m value ; coal, coke, &c. , increased 2| per cent m quantity, but decreased 5} per cent m value ; and iron andsteel increased 2s£ per cent m quantity and 4£ per cent m value. Turning to the imports, we find that raw cotton has decreased 8 per cent m quantity and 15} per cent m valr.e ; raw silk decreased 18 £ per cent m quantity, and 19J per cent m value ; silk manufactures increased 4| per cent m value ; wool decreased \ per cent m quantity, but increased 9 per cent m value ; flax decreased 36 1 per cent m quantity and 28 per cent m value ; hemp decreased 42 per cent m quantity and 47| per cent m value ; sugar increased 9f per cent m quantity and 2$ per cent m value ; tea decreased | per cent m quantity and 1 per cent m value ; coffee increased 67J per cent m quantity and Gs| per cent m value ; cocoa increased 32 per cent m quantity and 25 per- cent m value ; rice increased 72| per cent m quantity and 61J per. cent m value ; wine was unaltered ; tobacco decreased 9 per cent m quantity and 11 per cent m value ; wood and timber decreased 32 per cent m quantity and 51f per cent m value ; iron and steel manufactures increased 35£ per cent m quantity and 15£ per cent m value ; and jute decreased 18£ per vent m quantity and 28 per cent m value.