BRITISH TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1775, 13 June 1913, Page 6

BRITISH TRADE.

9 FIGURES FOR A QUARTER, Following are details of tho • external trade of tho United Kingdom in the three months ended March 31, 1913, with special reference to New Zealand (compiled from Board of Trade returns by Mr. W. G. Wickham, -lI.M. Trade Commissioner in New Zealand) :— The "accounts (relating' to tho trade and navigation of tho United Kingdom" for the three months ended March 31 show that the values of the merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom during tho quarter were as follow Imports, 196 millions sterling; exports, of United Kingdom produce and manufactures, 127 millions; re-exports of foreign and colonial merchandise, 31 millions. Compared with tho figures for tho first quarter of 1912—tho highest previously recorded for the March quarter— thsso values show an. increase of 8J millions, or 4.5 per'cent, in imports, an increase of 8i millions, or 7.3 per cent., in exports of "United Kingdom produce and manufactures, and a slight. decrease (0.3 per cent.) in re-exports. The figures quoted above would appear to show a satisfactory expansion in trade, especially when regard is had to tho fact that February, 1913, contained one day less than February, 1912, and that the Easter holidays fell last year in April, but this year in March. The increase of 8V millions in the value of imports includes increases of approximately 5i millions in "raw materials and articles mainly unmanufactured" and 3} millions in "articles wholly or mainly manufactured." About 5J millions of the increase of 81 millions in exports of United Kingdom produce and manufactures is accounted for by "articles wholly or mainly manufactured"; but there was also a large increaso in tho value of exported coal, duo partly to the fact that the coal strike was in operation in March. 1912. Tho foregoing statement relates to merchandise only. Tho total values of gold and silver bullion and specie' imported and exported during tho three months were as follow:—lmports, 10.0 millions sterling; exports, 14.9 millions. Tho values of tho imports from Now Zealand and 'of tho exports and re-ex-ports thereto, during the first quarter of each of tho years 1912 and 1913, wero as follow:—lmports, in 1912 i 0,800,000, in 1913 «C 7,018,000; exports of United Kingdom produce and Manufactures, in 1912 iC2,749,00b; ill 1913 ,£2,781,000; re-exports, in 1912 X 217.000, in 1913 ,£242,000, Thero was thus an inorease in 1913 under each of the three heads. Among tho principal articles were the following:— Imports from Now Zealand in Mutton, frozen 935,000 Butter Cheeso ••••• *64,000 Wool, sheep's or lambs' 3,727,000 Tallow, unroiined 138,000 Skins,' sheep's 124,000 Exports of United Kingdom, Produoo and Manufactures to N.Z. Iron and steel manufactures thereof (so far as distinguished in tho monthly accounts)... 347,000 Cotton pieco goods 217,000 Woollen and worsted tissues (including carpets and carpet nl „ s ) 136,000 Apparel 262,000