BRITAIN'S GREAT EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2905, 18 October 1916, Page 4

BRITAIN'S GREAT EFFORT

'Not the least remarkable of Britain's wonderful achievements in this war is tho astonishing recovery that is being made in hor foreign trade. While sho has been diverting millions of_ the best of her men to ■the formation of her hugo army; and while tens of more have been diverted from the trades and. industries of the country for tho manufacture of munitions of war in quantities that have staggered the world and stricken our enemies with dread; she has at the same time readjusted her ordinary peacetime manufacturing business in a quite amazing fashion. We recently quoted the Board of Trade figures relating to tho foreign trade of Britain for the Juno quarter of the current year, and showed the astonishing recovery that was being made. The August returns came to hand by yesterday's mail and they are even more surprising and satisfactory. As compared with August, 1915, the imports increased by £6,715,000, while the exports increased by no less than £15,281,000. If we take the figures for the eight months of tho current year they show that t!he imports up to tho end of August 1916, were 59 millions greater than the imports for the corresponding period of 1915, and 149 millions greater than in 1914. But it is in the exports that tho position presents the most remarkable results. For the eight months of 1916 these were 86J millions greater than for tho corresponding period of 1915, and 10 'millions greater than in 1914. That is to say, in the eigllt_ months of the current year, in spite of the stress and strain and effort involved in the conduct of the war j in spite of the diversion of millions of tho; best manhood of the nation from their ordinary occupations; in spite of workshops and factories closing their customary trading output and being converted I into munition works, Britain exported £10,000,000 worth more of manufactured goods and raw material than was exported in the eight months of the year preceding the war. Theso exports, it should be borne in mind, do not include munitions or foodstuffs or products of any description exported in vessels used by the Government or tho naval and military authorities. It is a magnificent achievement and should bring home to us here some idea of the tremendous energy; the amazing industry; tho indomitable spirit in which the people of the Motherland have thrown themselves into the; great struggle. Britain's accomplishments in this war almost transccnd belief. Think of the might and growth of her Navy; her record achievement in Army making; her marvellous organisation of munition works; her amazing adjustment and development of her foreign trade under difficulties that might well discourage the staunchcst: all carried out contemporaneously in a quiet, steady-going, grim,_ earnest fashion, with much self-disparagement and few plaudits. It is a record that should inspire and cheer and make every man or woman with British blood in his or her veins glow with pride. It is the rock oh which we can build with confidence pur expectation of tha victory which will assuredly come.