TRADE STATISTICS.

Shannon News, 25 October 1927, Page 1

TRADE STATISTICS.

The trade returns printed in the current number of the Monthly Abstract of Statistics are encouraging. They bring records up-to-date as far as possible, and show a tendency towards economic stability. The totals for the eight months of this year compared with' the period extending over the same time last year are as follows: - In 1927 imports were £29,105,373 and exports £35,782,(595, while in 192(5 the same were £34,946,188 and £32,209,049. Here is an improvement of some four millions sterling in our export excess for the first eight months of this year. We all know that it is a fact that comfort and stability go hand in hand with a favourable trade balance of exports over imports. In 1926 the excess was another half a million more mi favour of importations, and the effect was felt generally, in fact wo have aot yet recovered from it. The effect >f the new position should be shortly experienced, and we can prophecy reasonably good times ahead. Taking the fijg'urcs for the last four months oi U>26 we find that imports came in at a higher rate than in the preceding •months. It is unlikely, however, that the rate of importation for the same period this year will similarly increase, indeed we have it on good authority that they should continue at the same rate as they have been the period ended August last, so that we may assume reasonably that the total imports this year will not exceed 43 millions. . We may safely too assume ' that our exports for the last four months of this year will total 12 millions sterling, which taken with the figures for the earlier part of 1927 to August, will make our total approximately 47 millions sterling, with an improvement of some 8 millions upon last year's figures. From more points of view than one it is satisfactory" to state that the most important shrinkage on the import side is in motor-vehiclts. In number and value these for the 1927 period above named, amount to half the amount for the same period in 1926. In imports of wearing apparel and cotton piece-goods there was a shrinkage of some £380,000. On the export side our farmers gained an increase of a million sterling for butter for the first eight months of this year, an offset against the drop of £600,000 on cheese returns. These statistics again emphasise the extreme importance of the trade in exports of primary products. The comfort of the community entirely rests on the trade balance being maintained in our favour. There must be a continued recognition of the encouragement which should be given to primary- producers to bring forth and

multiply of their best; and the dis couragement of anything that hamper: that production. > An aged draught horse is for sale.