Belgian Trade.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 7, 1 May 1907, Page 263

Belgian Trade.

Belgium has adopted a scientific tariff by which raw materials are allowed to enter her markets free, and the gradation of duty on manufactured articles is so arranged that luxuries aie taxed at much higher rates than the goods hkely to be used by the poorer classes. In twenty years the bulk of imports at Antwerp has risen from 2,800,000, tons to 7,500,000,t0ns or an increase of 160 per cent. As remarkable has been the growth of home trade and population, whilst the number of workmen and the wages they earn have shown the same progressive improvement. Between 1880 and 1890 the workers in the industrial classes increased 33 per cent., whilst the rate of wages rose 21 per cent , or more than 4s. in the /. The native spinning and weaving industries are encouraged by a graduated duty on the imported article, with the result that they have been firmly established. In short, the scientific tariff of Belgium, sufficient but not prohibitive, has enabled the manufacturers of that country to compete in the home market against all rivals, " and," says the Consul-General, " it is certain that under this policy there has been a large increase in the volume of trade "