THE EMPIRE'S STRENGTH

Evening Star, Issue 19659, 12 September 1927, Page 6

THE EMPIRE'S STRENGTH

lii a speech to membersof the House of Commons upon Imperial trade, Sir Alfred Mond quoted some interesting figures to show the true potentialities of the British Empire. “It would appear obvious.” he said, “ in spite of the industrial strength of G re: it Britain, that its position as an economic unit, between the United States of America and the economic unit of Europe, would be_ difficult, and precarious. II you virsuali.se it merely in this way, both as regards resources and population, it would obviously bo a relatively small concern, but if you visualise" it as I do—namely, the British Empire itself as an economic whole, the picture immediately changes. The area of ail the Untied States territory is 3,743.000 square miles —one-quarter that of the British Empire. The population of all the United States subjects is 117.859,495—a little more than a quarter that of the British Empire. The population of Europe (excluding Britain) is 427.000,000—somewhat less than that of the British Empire. It is unnecessary to stress the fact how much of the British Empire is still 1111fmiauled, how much its resources are still undeveloped, how, in fact, its potentialities far exceed those of either of fhe economic units I have, referred to. As regards cither variety of its products or command, in some eases almost a monopoly of raw materials, its position is practically unique. In foodstuffs the British Empire has: Wheal, 27 per cent, of world production; rice, (1(1 per cent.;, cattle, 53 per cent.; sheep, 51 per emit.; goats, 78 per cent. In metals the figures are; Gold, 69 per cent, of the world production; tin, 42.2 per cent.; copper, 8.0 per cent.; nickel, SS per cent.; silver. 15 per cent.; zinc, 30 per cent.; lead, 23 per cent. Other raw materials are; Wool, 77.1 per cent, of world production; raw rubber, 67i per cent.; and forest area, 1G per cent.