IMPROVEMENT IN ENGLISH TRADE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1804, 2 December 1879, Page 3

IMPROVEMENT IN ENGLISH TRADE.

The Board of Trade returns of the United Kingdom for the past month, and for the nine months ending 30th September, have been issued. Both as regards exports and imports the figures are of a generally encouraging character, and fully reflect (he incipient recovery in trade noticeable in some directions. Tho total value of British and Irish exports during the month amounted to £17,402,000, against £16,561,000 in the corresponding period of 1878, or an improvement of 5 per cent. ; whereas for tho first nine months the exports reached £140,164,000, compared with £144,926,000 in 1878, or a decrease of 3i per cent. The total imports last month reach £27,723,000, contrasted with £27,229,000 in September, 1878, or an advance of If per cent. For tho nine months tho imports were £259,346,000, against £282,616,000 in 1878, the diminution being 8f per cent. The aggregate of wheat imported in September presents an increase in quantity of 39f per cent, and an advance in value of 43f per cent, and it is of course to this item that the swelling of our foreign purchases is principally due. The aggregate figures for the first three quarters of the year however fail to present anything like so discouraging a result as might have been expected. Indeed, in presence of the uneasiness recently produced connection with the bad harvest and the bullion drain, they would seem to be quite of a hopeful character, Thus, although the total quantity of wheat imparted during the past nine months was considerably more than in the corresponding period last year, being 41,075,000 cwt, against 37,284,000 cwt, the total value at which this was purchased was about a million less, or £20,317,000, against £21,242,000 last year. As regards the United States alone, the amount paid this year to that country for wheat figures at £12,503,000, compared with £13,267,000 in 1878. Our excessive cereal imports have therefore not proved so heavy a burden as has been supposed. And this circumstance is borne out by the returns relating to the specie movements. The total export of gold to New York during September was only £1,884,195, and for August and September together only £2,516,775. Looking to tho other details among the imports wo find an increase in raw cotton of 33 per cent, in quantity and 31Jper cent, in value, a movement presumably to bo traced to the improvement shown in the exports of our manufactured goods. There is 1 again a considerable decrease in the articles of luxury, such as wine, tobacco, tea, &e.; but this is accompanied by an advance in sugar and cocoa. Wool exhibits a falling off of 45f per cent, in quantity and per cent, in value. Turning to the items among the exports we find an almost general augmentation in quantities, although this is accompanied in but few instances by a corresponding rise in values. The most remarkable movement is of course in steel and iron.