BRITAIN’S TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20993, 21 December 1939, Page 7

BRITAIN’S TRADE

A REMARKABLE RECOVERY SATISFACTION OF PRESS GERMAN CLAIM REFUTED

(Official Wireless) (Received December 21, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 20 The remarkable recovery in Britain’s export trade, as revealed in Board of Trade figures, are greeted with satisfaction by the press, which considers the figures against the German claim to have blockaded the British Isles. Statistics show that imports arrived in volume, for which more sterling was spent than in any month since January, 1938, and that exports went out more freely after the hold-up during the first two months of the war.

Regarding imports, increases were shown in the value of grain and flour, meat and dairy produce, iron and steel base metals, and rubber. The most substantial increases are recorded in cocoa, much of which was resold abroad; in raw cotton, the value of which was three times that of November, 1938; in iron and steel and in oils, fats and resins. The tobacco imports were sharply cut down and less timber was taken.

Among the exports the most conspicuous expansion has been in cotton yarns and manufactures and woollen goods, cocoa, coal and chemicals, the values of which were all higher than in November last year. Compared with October more iron and steel products, machinery and vehicles were shipped abroad. In commenting on the fact that imports show an improvement with respect to the preceding month but also indicate an 8 per cent rise in imports compared with November, 1938, the newspapers note that the categories in which the principal increases occurred—cotton, non-ferrous ores, oil seed and oil—comprise commodities in which Germany is notoriously deficient. MARKED ACTIVITY ON THE WESTERN FRONT FRANCE’S HUGE WAR BILL SUPPLIES FOR CHRISTMAS (United Pres, Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlybt) LONDON, Dec. 19 The French official evening communique from the Western Front says there was marked activity by contact units during the day. A German communique says there were local reconnaissances and artillery activity near Perl, against the Hammersberg and Kitzingmerschweiler line, and harassing Are south of Pirmasens. British troops are patrolling “ No Man’s Land ” with one eye on the enemy and the other on the supplies for Christmas. All are in excellent spirits.

Christmas supplies are coming through well and thousands of puddings from England are being distributed, as well as socks, scarves and pull-overs, which are coming up from the bases. They are greatly appreciated on these dark, cold and wet days.

The French Minister of Finance, M. Reynaud, announced that France’s military war bill for 1940 was estimated at £1,428,000,000. War credits for the first quarter would be . £357,000,000. “NOTHING TO REPORT” FRENCH OFFICIAL STATEMENT i United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 21, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 20 A French official communique states: “There is nothing to report.”