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^
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'contents.

Note ...

Page.

Southern Nigeria :

Report

Import Trade Conditions

Trade Organisation

Foreign Competition

Appendix A. — Statement showing the Quantity and Value of Goods which are imported
into Southern Nigeria in appreciably larger quantities from Foreign Countries than
from the United Kingdom during the years 1909-1911

Appendix B. — Memorandum and Statistical Statement relating to certain Classes of Goods
in which supplies from the Continent have increased in greater proportion during
recent Years than those from the United Kingdom :
Memorandum :

Fish

Flour

Rice ...

Dane Guns

Gunpowder ...

Coopers' Stores

Earthenware...

Furniture

Textiles

Smoking Pipes

Statistical Statement

Appendix C. — Memorandum concerning certain Classes of Goods not included in
Appendix B., but in which the United Kingdom might secure a larger share of the
Total Trade :

Enamelware

Implements and Tools

Sugar

Matches

Haberdashery and Cotton Hosiery

Ale, Beer and Porter

" Trade " Spirits

Gold Coast :

Report : ,

General Statistics

Notes on Foreign Competition :

Agricultural and Gardening Implements

Ale and Beer ; Beads ; Bags and Sacks ; Blue, Indigo ; Bread and Biscuits ;
Building Materials ; Candles ; Coopers' Stores ; Cotton Yarn and Twist ; Cotton

Manufactures

Drugs and Chemicals ; Furniture ; Hardware ; Musical Instruments ; Mineral
Waters ; Perfumery ; ProTisions ; Coarse Salt ; Flint Lock Guns ; Gin ; Sugar ;

Tobacco; Wearing Apparel

Samples on view at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade

Commercial Travellers

General Remarks

Statistical Tables relating to Articles of Foreign Origin which compete seriouely with
Corresponding Articles of British Origin

Sierra Leone :

Report :

Memorandum on Trade

Appendix A.— Table showing the Import Trade of the Colony for the years 1909, 1910,

1911

Appendix B. — Statistics relating to certain Articles of Foreign Origin which have a larger

share of the Trade than similar goods of British origin

Gambia :

Report

Appendix A. — Comparative Statement of the Quantities and Values of Imports from
Great Britain and the principal Foreign Counties, 1907-1911 .-

Appendix B. — Return of Articles the Importation of which from Great Britain has
during the past 12 years decreased in proportion of total importation

5
5

14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
15

It;

18
18
18
19
19
19
19

21
21

23
24
24
24
24

25-27

28
29
30

32
33
34

iPi

Straits Settlbments:

Report 35

Statement showing the Quantities and Values of Manufactured Goods in which Foreign
Imports exceed thoee from British Sources .40-42

Appendix. — Notes on the Principal Articles of Foreign Origin which compete successfully
with British Goods :

General Remarks 43

Detailed Obeerrations :

Apparel, Hosiery, Millinery, Drapery and Haberdashery ; Towels and Napery.;

Cotton Blankets ; Hardware, Cookery Utensils, Tools, &c 44

Enamelware, Ironware ; Hoop Iron ; Wire Nails ; Zinc Sheathing ; Beads ... 45

Cabinetware ; Clocks and Watches ; Earthenware ; Glassware ; Indiarubber
Goods ; Lamps ; Leather Goods ; Musical lustrumentfl ; Perfumery ; Paper

and Stationery 46

Roofing and Building Materials 47

Remarks on Competition in certain Goods 47

British Guiana :

Report ;

Manofoctores other than Textiles 48

Textiles 49

Commercial Travellers 50

Freight and Exchange Rates 50

Packing of Goods 50

Price Lists and Catalogues 50

Finish and Appearance of Oooda 50

General ... 50

Appendix I. — Statement showing the Principal Articles io^rted during each of the last
three years, and which are chiefly imported from Non-Bmish Hources 51

Appendix II. — List of Articles imported almost exclusively from Non-British sources ... 53

BSBlinDA :

Report •■• 54

Table A.— Total Imports, and Imports from Principal Sources, 1902-1911 57

Table B. — Comparison between Imports from British and Foreign Sources, 1902-1911 ... 57

Table C. — Statement showing the Total Quantity and Value of the Principal .Articles
im|>orted into Bermuda in each of the Tears 1910 and 1911, diHtinguishing Imi>orts
from the United Kingdom, British Powsssions and the United States 58

(Mtnr-4.) Wt.S7M-MM. MM. 4/l». Dft&

NOTE.

In consequence of a recommendation made last year by the Advisory Committee on
Commercial Intelligence, the Board of Trade requested the Honorary Correspondents of
the Commercial Intelligence Branch in the British Colonies not possessing Responsible
Government, and in the British Protectorates, to furnish, for the use of the Commercial
Intelligence Branch, special Reports on the position of British Trade, and the nature and
extent of Foreign Competition, in the respective Colonies and Protectorates.

The information contained in the Reports received in answer to this request has been
utilised by the Commercial Intelligence Branch in furnishing information from time to
time to British traders and manufacturers. As, however, several of the Reports appear
to add materially to the trade information already available in the Annual Colonial
Reports, it has been thought desirable, on the advice of the Commercial Intelligence
Committee, to publish a selection of them for general information.

Board of Trade,

Commercial Department,
April, 1913.

SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

Commercial Intelligence Office,

Lagos, Southern Nigeria.
24th August, 1912.
With reference to your letter of the 6th June asking for a report as to the present
position ot British trade in Southern Nifreria, I have now pleasure in forwarding herewith
a certified return (Appendix A) showing the classes of goods which are imported
into this CJolony and Protectorate in larger quantities from Foreign Countries than
from the United Kingdom and British possessions. In doing so, 1 would point out
that whilst, the Southern Nigerian Customs statistics are now, and have been for the last
two years, prepared in accordance with the Board of Trade's wishes, it will be seen at a
glance that the " country from which the consignments originated," as now declared by
the merchants, does not by any mciins indicate the country of production. Thus, for
example, we find beads to the value of £6,000 appearing under the head of the Unite<l
Kingdom in the 1911 returns, and i;2<S,000 from Germany. The true source of origin
of the ujeater portion of the goo<ls was probably Austria or Italy, although the actual
consignment to Southern Nigeria took place in Liverpool or Hamburg. Similarly, in the
case of fish, kerosene, matches and unmanufacture<l tobacco, the real country of origin
of a large j)roj>ortion of the imports is not disclosed byjhe statistics, which was probably
Norway, Unites! States, Norway or Sweden, and United States, respectively. Whilst the
loss or gain of the country's business in these transit go«Kls does not affect our British
manufacturers, the fluctuati«jns are, of course, of consequence to British merchants and
British shipping, a point which I shall hope to refer to later.

2, Import Trade Conditinns. — In your letter of fitli June, I was requested to re)H)rt as
to the reason for the success of foreign comjtetition, and if [x)ssible, to offer suggestions
as to means whereby the trade now passing to foreign countries might be diverted to the
United Kingdom or British Dominions. \\ ith regard to this phase of the question, I would
call attention to the fact that the circumstances affecting the im]x>rt business of Southern
Nigeria are somewhat peculiar, inasmuch as, with one or two minor exceptions, the Euro|>ean
firms trading in this part of the world are simply branches of houses which have their head
oflBces in Europe, at which it may be said for all practical purposes the whole of the
buying is done. That is to say, the local managers of the firms send their indents to
their own principals in Euro|)i', bv whom the orders are placed with manufacturers, or
with agents for transit merchandise, such as unmatmfactured toljacco, rice, fish, beads,
matches, flour, &c., not produced in the country from which these goods and others are
shipped to Nigeria. I mention this point in onler that it may be clearly understtnxl that
the principals of tlie West African firms in England arc in the best jHJsition to tender
really reliable information as to the causes which induce them to buy goods of foreign
manufacture in preference to British, or to ship transit gwxls from Hamburg or Rotterdam
instead of vi& Liverpool. In the majoritj' of cases the local representatives of such firms
are not completely informed as to why an appreciable proportion of their inward
consignments is 8hipj)e<l from the Continent, and it is only by a])proiiching their principals,
who do the actual buying in Europe, that final conclusions on this large question can be
arrived at.

3. With the reservation note<l in the foregoing {wnigraph, I now proceed to rejxjrt,
•8 &r as I am able, on the purely local aspects of the situation : —

Trade Organisation. — In Southern Nigeria, which has a total native p<jpuIation of 7^
millions, and 10 ports served by ocean steamers (omitting minor river stations), there are
about 40 distinct European firms engaged in business. Of these firms, five may be described
as important Gennan houses, two minorGerman firms, one important French firm, two minor
Bohemian houses (who were attracted here mainly by the l)ead trade), and the remaining
30 British, of which about half might fiiirly be descrilxid as imfxirtant houses. It will
thus be seen that so far as the numbers of separate European trading firms are concerned,
one quarter of the whole are foreigners. But this gives an exaggerated idea of the
bcilities for distribution po8se8se<l by the foreign firms as compared with the British, as
it is the exception t<i find the German houses established in more than one or two |K)rt8
in Southern Nigeria, whilst some of the British firms arc doing business in several ports.
Therefore, a truer ajiiception of the relative importance of local foreign competition is
obtained by comparing the total number of trading factories owned by British and foreign

Southern Nigeria — cont.

merchants respectively in Southern Nigeria, and by taking into account the financial
standing of the firms. Allowing for these factors, I should say, as a personal view, that
the relative importance of British and foreign merchants trading in Southern Nigeria
might be stated as approximately 85 per cent. British, and 15 per cent, foreign.

4. Where there is an appreciable number of foreign merchants on the spot, as in
Southern Nigeria, it is only reasonable to exj)ect that the principals of such firms will
make every effort to push the sale of goods which are either produced in their own country
or can be economically shipped therefrom. At a first glance, and in view of the fact that
many large classes of goods sold here are not produced in the United Kingdom, it would
not ajjpear that the total value of imports received from foreign countries was dispro-
portionate to the local representation of such countries. I fear, however, that I shall have
to show that the true position is not quite so satisfactory as might be superficially supposed,
more especially as it is apparent from an inspection of a Continental cargo boat's manifests
that the increased shipments from Hamburg and Rotterdam are by no means entirely due
to the presence of so many foreign merchants in Southern Nigeria, but that they are
materially aided by shipments of goods consigned from foreign ports to British houses
here. I mean goods which one might not unreasonably expect to be manufactured in the
United Kingdom, or transit merchandise which could be shipped therefrom. In this
connection I would invite reference to a speech made by the Chairman of the African Trade
Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on 17th June, 1912, when, in the course of
some remarks on the Merchandise Marks Act, he said : " There was a certain class of
articles which they had to get from abroad for reasons which were not very easily explained.
The net result to them as African merchants was that the Germans could supply these
articles at a lower rate than they were obtainable in this country (United Kingdom),
and therefore they had to go to Germany for them."

5. It may not be out of place, at this stage, to refer to the existing facilities for
shipping Continental goods to Nigeria. The British line managed by Elder, Dempster and
Company send two cargo steamers a month from Hamburg to Lagos, and both these boats
call at Rotterdam for cargo. The Woermann Linie runs three cargo boats a month from
Hamburg to Lagos, and two of these call at Rotterdam. Hence there are five steamers
monthly taking Lagos cargo from Hamburg and four from Rotterdam. From Liverpool
there is a weekly service to Lagos. It wdll thus be seen that the facilities for shipping
goods from the Continent to Lagos are now equal to those afforded from Liverpool.

6. In addition to the German, French, and Bohemian merchants established in
Southern Nigeria, there is also a number of Syrian and Italian traders (about 60 adult
males), mostly shopkeepers and hawkers, but including one or two men who might not
unreasonably be classed as merchants. Individually these people do a relatively small
business, but in the aggregate their operations must amount to a fairly appreciable sum.
Although a portion of their supplies is shipped from the United Kingdom, the classes of
goods in which they trade are more particularly of Continental manufacture — beads,
scents, cheap cutlery, jewellery, headwear, haberdashery, &c. The Syrians and Italians
live very economically, and, owing doubtless to their small expenses, they appear to be
able to do a business, satisfactory to themselves, in small cheap miscellaneous goods, which
many of the large European merchants apparently find unprofitable, or which they consider
unsafe lines to stock. I should like to make a point here of the fact that whilst in Lagos
town several of the British merchants do now cater to a considerable extent for the demand
for small miscellaneous articles, the assortment stocked by them in other parts of Nigeria
is, generally speaking, very limited, possibly due to the small apparent demand at present.
Twenty years ago there was, even in Lagos, prejudice on the part of the large European
merchants against stocking cheap cutlery, small lines in hardware, haberdashery, &c.,and
at that time there was only one firm of consequence which made a speciality of this class
of business. To-day there are, however, several important British firms in Lagos who are
doing quite a satisfactory trade in such articles, in addition, of course, to their general
business in staple lines. The small Syrian and Italian traders are, in my opinion, useful
in introducing miscellaneous goods into markets where they would not otherwise be found,
thus giving the natives an added incentive to work palm oil or kernels or other produce to
acquire them. But our own merchants should not ignore the Syrian competition, which
may become formidable as time goes on, in the same way that, as I am informed, many of
the Indian traders in East Africa have now become merchants doing business on a large
scale. I personally do not think there is much danger to be feared from the Italians.

7. No really important foreign houses have entered the Southern Nigerian trade
during the last five years, and therefore it may oe convenient, with a view to ascertaining
the current trend of business, to state the value of British imports in 1907 as compared
with 1911. In the former year the total value of imports from all sources {exclusive of

Southern Nigeria — cont.

tpecie) was, according to the Customs statistics, £3,839,000, the proportion shipped from
tne United Kingdom being £2,892,000 or, say, equal to 75*3 per cent, of the whole. In
1911 with the tx>tal imports running to £5,227,000, the proportion shipped from the
United Kingdom was £3,679,000 or 70*3 per cent, (see paragraph 9).

8. It should here be explained that all goods in transit to Northern Nigeria are
cleared at the Southern Nigerian Customs on the seaboard ; consequently the statistics
quoted above include goods passing to the Northern Protectorate. These transit goods
(including rail materials) were valued at about half a million sterling in 1911, or
say equal to one-tenth of the whole of the imports entering Nigeria. As you are aware,
the development of trade in Northern Nigeria ha.s hitherto been checked owing to want
of cheap land transport to serve the districts well away from the Niger river. But now,
with the railway running: to Kano, the probability of trade developments in the north
should be taken seriously into account by our British manufacturers and merchants.
I may state, by the way, that the population of Xorihern Nigeria was estimated last year
at 7,800,000.

9. It would ap|)ear from the figures given in paragraph 7 above, that there was a
difference of 5 per cent, between the share of total imi)orts obtained by the Mother
Country in 1907 as compared with 1911, but owing to more careful Customs classifica-
tion of transit tobacco, &c., during the last two years, the real difference against the
United Kingdom may more feirly be stated as about 3 jxjr cent. Whilst an apj)arently
satisfactory increase of £787,000 in the United Kingdom's exports to Nigeria has been
made (1911 as compared with 1907), this increase ought, in proportion to the relative
trade done five years ago, to have been about £l.iO,OOO^ore still.

10. As I am invitetl to offer suggestions generally, I would here incidently remark
that our British manufacturers and merchantj^ will be well advised in not being satisfied
with an increase on their individual turnover, so far a.s any particular colony or foreign
country is concerned, unless such increase is proportionate to the advance in the total
imports by that colony or country of yooda in which thei/ are interested. This may possibly
strike you as a very elementary and obvious suggestion, hut I can assure you from my
personal knowledge tliat many of the merchantu judge their progress solely by a com-
parison with their own salee in former years. I need scarcely say this is often a very
mislearling basis to work upon, especially with regarrl to markets such as Nigeria, in
which the total volume of trade is rapidly oxjKindiiig. Superficially it might apjiear to
these firms that they were doing very well, when as a matter of fact they were actually
losing gniund in comparison iftnth their old proportion of the total business of the markets
to which they were 8hip[)ing.

11. Foreign Competition. — A cloBe examination of the whole of the Customs statistics
discloses the fact that Germany and Holland have gained more than their proportionate shares
of the increased business which has l>een jjussing in Nigeria. With a view to ascertaining
the lines of trade in which these foreign competitors are making greater progress than our
own people, I enclose herewith a statement (Appendix B) showing the classes of goods
in which our competitors appear to have lieen more particularly active. In preparing
this summary, I liave omitted classes of imports in which our present position is satis-
factory, and also the large lines such as trade spirits, unmanufaeturefl tobacco and kerosene,
and other goods in which the Initerl Kingflom is not in a |M)sitiou tt) compete. I have also
been obliged to omit two or three lines owing to alterations in the Customs classification
which render comparisons with former years misleading. I will, however, refer later in
the report to some of the classes which do not appear in Appendix B. hut which I think
merit attention.

12. Appendix B referred to in the previous paragraph, covers a dozen classes of
goods, and shows : —

(a) Total imports of each class 1 For each of the last

(b) Imports from United Kingdom f five years, viz.,

(rf) Do. Holland ) elusive.

For ready reference I may state that the total imports of these particular classes
t» 1907 were valued at £1,429,000, the shares obtained by the United Kingdom, Germany
and Holland being as under: —

1907. £

Unitefl Kingdom 1,318,000

Germany ... ... ,., ... ... ... ... 71,000

Holland 33,000

Southern Nigkbia — conU

By 1911 the total value of imports of the same lines from all sources had increased
to £1,867,000, the shares obtained by the respective countries being —

1911. £

United Kingdom .. ... 1,545,000

Germany ... ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 230,000

Holland ... ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• 72,000

It will thus be seen that although Germany and Holland together in 1911 obtained
only one-sixth of the total business in the classes specified, as compared with five-sixths
taken by United Kingdom, they have nevertheless very appreciably improved their
position since 1907, when their combined imports of the 12 classes was equal to
only one-fourteenth of the total.

The percentages of increase between the two periods are as follows : —

United Kingdom 17 per cent.

Germany ... ... ... ... ... ... •.• 224 „

Holland ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 118 „

13. The progress made by Continental competitors in the classes shown in Appendix
B, may be broadly divided between (a) transit goods, and (6) articles manufactured in
or near the country from which they are consigned to Nigeria. With regard to transit
goods, which in the list immediately under notice comprises fish, flour and rice, it will
be seen that the total value of shipments of these classes from the United Kingdom in
1907 was £67,000 as compared with £114,000 in 1911, this increase being equal to
70 per cent. Germany, however, shipped only £12,000 in 1907 as against £86,000 in
1911, the advance in this case being equal to 600 per cent. Holland is for all practical
purposes not at present interested in the transit goods in question, her shipments amount-
ing to only £1,600 in 1911.

14. With reference more particularly to the transit goods referred to in the
preceding paragraph, it is said that the dock dues and shipping charges generally
are more favourable to the merchants at Hamburg than at Liverpool. I have
unfortunately no means of comparing these charges, but I would venture to suggest that
the question is a vital one well worthy of the serious consideration of the authorities at
home, not only as regards goods shipped outwards, but also in respect of inward con-
signments. With regard to the latter, viz., the comparative charges on transit merchandise
such as I have mentioned entering Hamburg or Liverpool, respectively, for re- shipment, it
will be recognized that this is a factor which needs to be taken into serious consideration,
as well as that of the respective dues on consignments leaving the ports named. The
question of freights from Norway, United States and India to Hamburg or Liverpool,
respectively, also naturally enters into the calculation, so far as fish, flour and rice are
concerned.

15. To go into the question of the comparative freights and shipping dues on raw
materials arriving at United Kingdom or Continental ports would carry me far beyond
the scope of the enquiry you desire, although those charges might have a material bearing
upon the selling price of the manufactured article, but there is one point concerning this
phase of the question to which I think I might pertinently direct your attention. It is
with reference to the dock dues, &c., charged on the principal staple product of Southern
Nigeria, viz., palm kernels, which I was a few years ago given to understand were lighter
in Hamburg than Liverpool. I quote below the kernel export figures for your informa-
tion, should it be considered desirable to investigate this problem. They are as follows : —

Total Value of

Palm Kernel Export

Shipped to

Shipped to other

from
Southern Nigeria

Uuited Kingdom

Germany

Countries

1907

1,658,000

286,000

1,334,000

38,000

1908

1,425,000

231,000

1,093,000

101,000

1909

1,816,000

179,000

1,500,000

137,000

1910

2,450,000

300,000

2,072,000

78,000

1911

2.574,000

319,000

2,166,000

89,000

The total tonnage of palm kernels shipped from Southern Nigeria last year (1911)
was 176,390.

Southern Nigeria — cont.

My own impression of the matter is that the kernels go to Germany in preference to
the United Kingdom because there are at present only a few crushinor mills near Liverpool,
and, consequently, a very limited market, as compared with Hamburg. It is also pi-obable
that the manufactured prmlucts, refined oil, butter substitutes, and cattle cake can be
more economically distributed to the large consuming countries from Hamburg than from
Liverpool. How far the Continental mills arc fostered by more favourable shipping dues
I am unable to say, but the figures I have quoted above would seem to indicate that some
early enquiry on the subject was needed.

If there are insuperable reasons against the United Kingdotn lieing able to materially
enlarge her share of our palm kernel export business, could not something be done in
Canada? One would think there would be a field there for the distribution of the
commcxiities manufacturetl from these kernels, although I suppose cotton-seed products
from the States would compete with some of the manufactured articles. I may state, by
the way, that three cargoes of palm kernels have been shippetl from Nigeria within the
last 18 months to Durban, where they were consignetl to the branch of a United Kingdom
firm. This is a step in the right direction, and if mills could also be started in Canada
to deal with the produce, we might in the near future find that our own |>eople were
benefiting for more than at present by the Nigerian kernel trade.

Athough the destination of our kernel exports may seem foreign to a report on the
United Kingdom share of the Southern Nigerian import business, it really has a marked
indirect bearing upon it, for without the large return tmde in palm kernels the steamship
companies would never offer such facilities for shipping goods from Hamburg and
Rotterdam as I have referred to in paragraph 5, although the Continental spirit trade
would necessitate a limited service. What is |>erha|>s nfore important is the fact that our
principal (ierman comi>etitor8 came out here primarily for f>alm kernels, for which they
had a better market in Hamburg than our own mercliants j)osse8sed in Liverpool. When
once established in Southern Nigeria the German firms very naturally took up the sale of
trade spirits, tobacco, &c., arni aLto (general manufactured tfoodit in competition with the
British merchants. The point of my apparent digression is that if it had not been for
the more favourable market for |>alm kernels on the Continent, the foreign ct>mpetition
here to-day in the sale of goods would not be nearly so proni>unce<l as it is, nor would
the Continental shipping facilities be on a parity with those to and from the United
Kingdom.

It is to be hoped, in view of the probable development of a large export trade in
«hea-nuts from Northern Nigeria within the next few years, that mills may be available
in the United Kingrlom to deal with the produce, ?o that further si>ecial inducements are
not afforded to tempt foreign competitors to embark in business in Nigeria.

16. Commenting upon the manufactured goods which appear in the list of selected
articles (Appendix n) and which comprise cotton, woollen and silk manufactures, guns,
gunpowder, coopers' stores, earthenware, furniture and smoking pipes, a few general
ob6er>'ations may not be out of place. The total value of im{K)rt8 from the United
Kingdom in the nine maniifartiinHl classes referred to above was in 1907 .111,2.50,000
OS compared with £1,431,000 in 1911, this increase being equal to 14j per cent. In the
same yean the imports from the Continent (viz., Germany and Holland together) wore as
follows : —

1907. Imports from Germany and Holland £92,000

1911. Do. ' do. £214,000

erjual together to an increase of 132 percent. In total value the imports from the
Continent, even of th&se selected classes, may not ap[)ear very formidable, being e<pial in
1911 to only one-seventh the total value receive<l from the United Khigdom, but if
Continental shipments go on increasing during the next ten years as they have during the
last fi\'c, we shall in 1922 find that Germany and Holland together are securing almost as
much of the trade of Nigeria as the United Kingdom in the classes quoted.

17. The most striking illustration of Continental activity in manufactured gotxis is to
be found in a class where one would least expect it, viz., textiles. Here, taking
cotton, woollen and silk goods together, we find that the trade of Germany and Holland
with Nigeria has risen from £.50,000 in 1907 to £135,000 in 1911. An appreciable
pro]K)rtion of this increase may be attributed to cheap velvets, plushes and velveteens, and
to Dutch and German prints. In plain white or grey cloths, and also in woven
coloured goods and the majority of prints, the Lancashire manufacturers are holding
their own, and I would attribute the success of Continental makers in velvets, Slv. to
cleverness in dyeing and finishing, and, as in the case of prints, to skilful blending of

an77 B

Southern Nigeria — conL

colours and originality of design, rather than to any weakness on our part in the
manufacture of the unfinished cloth. In the course of ray enquiry I was, by the way,
gratified to learn that some of our largest firms in Lancashire and Yorkshire are giving
serious attention to the above points, and that they hope to regain their position iti the
trade of Nigeria, which, in certain branches of the textile business, is at present
seriously threatened.

18. In Appendix C, I submit a memorandum dealing with certain articles which are
not included in " B," but in which I think our British manufacturers should be able to
secure a larger share of the business than they are doing at present. In view of the
aggressiveness of foreign competitors in classes of goods which were originally shipped
from Great Britain, prudence would appear to demand that our own people should
do more than simply ]irotect the trade they have already secured, and that they should
retaliate by attacking the foreign suppliers in some lines which have for one reason or
another been hitherto regarded as Continental specialities. In particular, I would direct
attention to the notes in Appendix " C " under the headings of enamel ware, implements
and spirits.

19. The success of forgjgn comi)etitors in Nigeria during recent years, so far as
manufactured goods are concerned, would appear to be mainly due to lower prices
combined with cheaper qualities put on the market in an attractive form, and in a lesser,
but distinctly appreciable degree, to certain articles being of good quality and more
popular design than the styles imported from the United Kingdom.

I am not in a position to speak as to Government bounties in the country of
production, and none of the merchants here know of any which affect their trade.

Foreign commercial travellers are practically unknown here, and any increase of
business cannot be attributed to their representations.

20. To sum up my views with regard to this large question as it affects manufactured
goods, I would say from all I have been able to gather from the local merchants, combined
with my personal knowledge of the trade, that the progress made by foreign manufacturers
is largely due to the fact that they are in some classes of goods, but certainly not in others,
more enterprising than our own makers, and that they often display more initiative and
resource. Whilst the " enterprise " of foreign suppliers very frequently takes the question-
able form of reducing qualities, it w^ould be unfair to suggest that this method of competition
accounts for the whole of their success, or indeed that the reduction of qualities was
peculiar to foreign makers. Some of the increased business done by the Continent with
Nigeria is clearly well merited by suitable patterns and good qualities, and it would be
taking altogether too narrow a view to look upon this as otherwise than perfectly
legitimate and healthy competition.

British makers have, in several classes of merchandise, shown that they also can
reduce the grade of goods very materially, and especially in cotton piece goods are our
own people adepts at bringing out lower qualities to compete with a better cloth
established by a rival British firm. In this particular respect, therefore, I fear we are not
in a position to make much capital out of the reduction of qualities practised by German
and other foreign competitors. Our own manufacturers of all classes of goods need,
however, to grasp the fact that the general conditions under which business is done in the
tropics are very different from those applying to European countries, where the bulk of
the consumer's purchases are made from responsible dealers. Here in Nigeria practically
the whole of the goods for native use are not sold by the European merchant to the actual
consumer, but to native middlemen who are always on the look out for cheaper qualities
which they can pass off in the open markets in competition with goods of better quality,
and, of course, higher price. It is not a pleasant feature of the trade, but, as it exists
and will continue, British manufacturers might as well cater for the demand for low grade
goods, which will certainly be met by foreign competitors if our own people decline the
business. But there should be no loose application of trade marks, and the brand which
has been used on standard qualities should not on any account be applied to cheap
substitutes. Whilst there is undoubtedly a large demand for low priced articles in
Nigeria, there is also, I am glad to say, a steady business done in standard qualities of
certain classes of goods, which the natives continue to buy in preference to cheaper ones
because they know from experience that the trade mark indicates good quality. The
discriminate use of trade marks is of the very first importance to our merchants, and is a
question which they will do well to take seriously to heart.

Continental suppliers of certain classes of goods are said to be far more willing than
the British to put themselves out of the way to execute small trial orders of new patterns
or cheaper qualities, or to alter the packing to suit a particular market. They have

Southern Nigeria — coiU.

evidently learnt from experience that useful repeat orders often follow, and that new
staple lines are established as a reward for their more painstaking efforts. They are
especially strong, in comparison with the average British maker, in putting up their
smallwares in an attractive manner which appeals to the native buyer. The Continental
makers have looked upon the buyers' wishes as of the nature of a command, realising
that in the long run it pays them to do so. It would also appear as if the Continental
suppliers took a much wider view of the possibilities of trade expansion in these markets,
especially in the way of cheap but attractive looking goods, and that they were more
ready to supply small trial shipments of new styles to test the market.

21. In conclusion, I would remark that whilst the position of the United Kingdom's
trade with Nigeria may, on the whole, be considered fairly satisfactory, British suppliers
are undoubtefUy losing ground in certain classes of gcxxis. Although such loss has been
more or less obscured in the general expansion of trade, it is evident that if shipments
from the Continent continue to increase as they have done during the last few years, they
will, in the course of the next decatle become very formidable indeed, and the United
Kingdom will not secure anythuig like the share of the total trade to which she is
entitled.

I have, etc.,

C. A. BIRTWISTLE,

Commercial Iniellufence OJicer
in Southern Sitjeria.
The Assistant Secretary

(Commercial DoiMirtment), ,

Board of Trade.

mrr B2

Southern Nigeria — cont.

APPENDIX A.

Statement showing the quantity and value of goods which are imported into Southern Nigeria

the years

Total Imports from all Sources.

Imports from United

Class of GoodB

1909.

1910.

1911.

1909.

1910.

Quan-
tity.

Value.

Quan-
tity.

Value.

Quan-
tity.

Value.

Quan-
tity.

Value.

Quan-
tity.

Value.

cAle, Beer, Porter, &o. : —

Dozen Quarts
Imp. Galls, (in wood)

•Beads lbs.

JCheese „

'Cigars Number

(•Enamel Ware Pkgs.

ftFish Cwts.

/yQuns, Dane Number

'Kerosene** Imp. Galls.

(•Matches Gross Boxes

JPipes, Smoking Number

Spirits : —

Gin Imp. Galls.

Rum ,.

§Starch and Blue Pkgs.

•Tobacco, Unmanufactured** lbs.
•Wines :—

Claret Imp. Galls.

23,041
543

Other

classi

1,564,230

5,182

2,779

1,663,684

403,488

5.52,224

2,-573,953

438,030

Other

classi

6,042,225

15,997

4,769

35,712

wise

fied.

4,192

13,845

18,366

876

59,277

15,510

4,650

252,752
27,539
wise
fied.
187,855

2,334

28,1.51

464

618,648

40,734

1,680,629

9,337

24,205

11,137

2,791,829

324,.545

8,344,066

4,093,085

584,602

4,344

5,956,604

11,752

5,869

37,701

1,407

4,249
29,413
34,952

3,792
86,447
14,906

8,253

395,936

31,744

2,408

182,938

1,792

32,268

925,983
41,678

1,632,128

11,140

46,295

18,667

3,181,324

272,097

10,295,158

4,242,558

515,412

2,644

3,048,846

15,133

£
6,744

48,090
1,651

4, .336
32,661
68,131

6,4.50
73,861
13,460

9,542

385,201

24,934

1,879

154,173

2,987

6,275

111,725
1,135

1,493

22,342

163,980

247,708

28,163
104,950

5,502,207
6,419

1,375

5,126

334
3,215
4,238
440
887
6,400
3,306

7,679
7,097

171,734
1,326

8,165

121,611

15,735

390,055

2,854

3,782

2,845

121,565

67,677

5,089,533

30,277

109,773

964

617,904

3,513

£
1,789
2
7,246

652

722
9,823
8,859
1,006
3,913
2,725
4,962

8,231

7,032

836

19,138

803

* United Kingdom not in a position to compete in cla3.ses marked with an asterisk.

(• Explanatory notes re beer, enamel ware, matches, and spirits will be found in memorandum in Appendix '• C."
§ No reliable information obtained as to why United Kingdom does only one-third of the starclvand blue business,
but a very small line.

SooTHERN Nigeria — cont.

APPENDIX A— cont.

in appreciably larjrer qnantities from Foreign Countries than from the United Kingdom during
19(>y, 191(1, and 1911.

Kingdom.

I91I.

QOMI-

tfty.

Valne.

Import* from Germany.

1909.

Quan-
tity.

Talne.

1910.

Quftii-
tity.

Value.

1911.

Qoaa-
Utj.

Valne

Import! from Holland.

1909.

Quan-
tity.

Valoe.

1910.

Qoan-
Utj.

Value.

1911.

Quan-
tity.

Valae.

7.963

164.7ST
n,l»7

1M,T56
S,800

a,7M

7^11

ia»,s7a

7IS9I7

S»,l»: 8,<57

47341 3,06«

6S9 eofi

4,5S7' 1,409

1,774

6,372
4«t

433

11,068
8^7«

s,4a«

ifiOt
3,764

15.666
478

479,601
3.610

900
739,608
186,378
136,390

639,018
U>,738

639,813

9,696

3,166

38,703

1,731

9.376

13.217

36,666

7343

416

S8317
16387

I«,I16
460

183991 3,794
58
36,083

lis

398
406366
7304

340,8U3

5311

16,467

S06

1,161,030

311,167

3336386

8S13M

SS83S1

1346

388319

1374

I3S6
16,964
t83S>
186
3C339
10374

3,178

88,113

16,161

889

8316

390

31394

446,696
8.606

448,789
6,M9

S6,7»

1,790

406393

160,679

4,980393

809389
9093S9

406

4,398

38,854
158

1.439

19.310

67.69.^

619

32,154

8341

4,476

79,347

14.491

461

1,100
34

966,454

438

100

1.080

1,043

63,750

178308

,016,757
71,408

210,0B' 6,540
4,47* 787

«!

338

1,107

3,090

1349

367

1,346

930

186.837
4,967

1,396

376
17334

940373

319

100

6,631

10,160

I 39,190

i 666388

3,331,383

139,965

I3I8

4.0«8

3to

63
618

3,368
3,487

166
1,893

368
1,013

387

302386

7,977

167

461

3,798

2,681
35,891

1,013,636
694
879
9,373

34,448

1,881,685

3,397,740

165,834

649

156
993

2,444

2,390

463

3,161

1,056
1,333

297,196

7,323

i Explanatory note* r» (Uh, Dana fnn«, and amokinf pipe* will be foand in manKMmadiun in Appendix " B."
* Smalt impoTlj from Unitisd Kingdom dne to nreferenoe for Dntch cbeeae, whioh ii wholeeome and cheap,
'* In thaw oaaea there are large impartnliaaB mm the United Kingdom.

Southern Nigeuia — cont.

APPENDIX B.

Memoranddm concerning classes of goods shown in the appended Table which gives the separate
imports for each of the last five years of the following lines from United Kingdom, Germany, and
Holland, respectively : — Fish, flonr, rice, Dane guns, gunpowder, coopers' stores, earthenware,
furniture, cotton, woollen and silk manufactures, and smoking pipes.

■
Total

Imports

Imports from

of the

United Kingdom.

Germany.

Holland.

12 Classes.

1907

1,429,000

1,318,000 = 92-2 per cent.

71,000= 5-0 per cent.

33,000 = 2-3 percent.

1908

1,342,000

1,216,000 = 90-6 „

75,000= 5-6 „

40,000 = 3-0

1909

1,465,000

1,2,55,000 = 85-7

143.000.= 9-8

61,000 = 4-2

1910

1,856,000

1,589,000 = 85-6

172,000= 9-3

74,000 = 4-0 „

1911

1,867.000

1,545,000 = 82-7 „

230.000=12-3

72,000 = 3-9 „

Fish. — The trade in dried fish has expanded to a remarkable degree during the last few years,
viz., from £8,000 in 1907 to £68,000 in 1911, and in the latter year Germany obtained 85 per cent, of
the whole business. Bulk of imports said to be dried stock fish, and the source of origin Norway,
although a small quantity comes through from the Canary Islands. Possibly the geographical position
of the German port permits of lower freights from main source of supply, but it also suggested that
*^be shi])ping dues, &c., are less favou^rable to the merchants at Liverpool tlian at Hamburg. Querj- : —
Can the British merchants land Norwegian produce in Liverpool as cheaply as the same stuff can be
delivered in Hamburg, and, if not, is it the freight from source of supply which is driving the trade
to Hamburg, or our port dues ? Also cannot our own merchants do something with fish from Canada
to compete with the Norwegian ? The dried fish industry is a very important one in Nova Scotia, and
one would think something might be arranged for mutual benefit of United Kingdom and Canada.
If freights to Nigeria via Liverpool are prohibitive, probably the fish could be shipped cheaply from
Halifax to New York, and thence to Nigeria by the special joint Elder Dempster and ¥/oermann
service which has sailings once a month from New York to West Africa. The fish, by the way, is
shipped in canvas (? "hessian") trusses or bales.

I understand that a small trawling company has recently been formed to exploit the waters off the
West African coast, with a view to establishing a cured fish industry on the spot. In the event of this
venture proving successful — and it is undoubtedly a sound proposition if only suitable trawling grounds
can be found — imports from northern countries will, of course, be checked, but in my opinion it will
be many years before appreciable supplies of local factory dried fish will be available for sale in
Nigeria.

Flour. — Imports from Germany have risen from £200 in 1907 to almost £8,000 in 1911. Although
a small quantity of Hungarian flour may come through vid Hamburg, I am advised that the bulk of
that shipped from the German port is really of Canadian origin, the flour being forwarded vid New
York to Hamburg and thence to Nigeria. It is singular, but a fact, that the largest turnover in flour
in Lagos, the principal centre of business in Nigeria, is handled by a Hamburg firm, and one wonders
why a commodity such as this, and which I have the best of reason for believing is the product of
Canada, should be traded in to almost as large an extent by a German firm as by the combined British
houses in Lagos, several of which have their headquarters in Liverpool. I can scarcely imagine that
freights Canada or New York to Hamburg are any lower than to Liverpool, and certainly there is no
difference between the tariff Hamburg to Nigeria, and Liverpool-Nigeria. British millers have made
several attempts to obtain a fair share of the trade, but with only a small measure of success. I am
informed that the Canadian flour is moderate in price and that it keeps in good condition for a reason-
able period in this climate, which is a very important point.

Bice. — A very marked advance by Germany in her share of the whole trade is to be noted here.
The imports of rice from Germany in 1907 were valued at £7,800, and they remained at or below that
figure until 1910, when the receipts from Hamburg rose to £1] ,.300 to be followed in ] 911 by £21,(X)0.
One reason suggested to account for this large increase, is that on some occasions last year the British
merchants trading in the Eastern province of Southern Nigeria found it more convenient to ship rice
from Hamburg to certain ports than from Liverpool, a saving in time being thereby effected. Another
reason is that the German firms trading in Nigeria have during the last few years found competition
in the produce business keener, and in consequence they are laying themselves out more for the
trade in staple imports such as rice.

Dane Guns.-— rhese are very cheap flint locks. A relatively very small line of trade, the total
value of all imports in 1911 being only £6,400, of which one-half was shipped from Holland. The
real source of origin of the foreign guns is, I believe, Belgium, from which country they are sent to
Rotterdam and shipped therefrom. As I suggest, it is a small line, but I include it because whilst
shipments from the United Kingdom in 1907 and 1908 were double the values of those from Holland,
rtxe latter country now sends us about one-third more than we receive from the United Kingdom.
The only information 1 can obtain here as to the apparent growing preference for the guns shipped
from Rotterdam is that a cheaper article can be obtained on the Continent than in the United Kingdom.
Ihis 18 corroborated by the declared value of cost at the Customs, the 1911 imports from the United
Kingdom averaging 7s. Id. per gun as compared with 6s. 9d from Holland.

Southern Nigeria — cont.

"* Trade " Gunpowder. — Owing to higher CuetomB duties, which have checked the trade, the total
imports from all sources were almost £3,(XK1 less in 1911 than in 1907. On the returns for the two
years, the whole of this loss has been lx>me by the United Kingdom, Germany still shipping as
much as she did five years ago. Rather singularly, whilst almost the entire imports of powder into
the Western (Lagos) Province come from Germany, only a very small quantity finds its way from
Hamburg to the Central and Eastern Provinces. I csin only attribute the popularity of German
powder in Lagoe and its hinterland to the fact that the two large German houses engaged in business
here made a speciality of powder many years ago at the time they ran their own ships, and that the
natives then l)ecame accustomed to the coarse grained quality, which resembles blasting powder.

At the same time I think enterprise and perseverance on the part of our British merchants might go
far towards supplanting the German powder, which is chiefly imported here in small kegs containing
only 2 lbs. and 1 Ibe. each in bulk. Possibly 10 lb. kegs containing 10 1-lb. or 20 i-lb. cotton bags (water-
proofed and non-inflammable if possible) of British powder would be found as economical a form of
packing as the German, in which the cost of small kegs must be an important item. French powder
sold in the adjacent colony of Dahomey, and smuggled over into the Western Province of Southern
Nigeria, is imported in kegs containing a number of bags, and that is a form of packing for this
article which I think would appeal to the native buyers. Each bag should bear the standard trade
mark of the British importing firm, and it would be an advantage if a small wax plug could be
inserted in the month of the hag, and the neck fastened with a lead disc bearing the importing firm's
mark, similar to the seals used on bags of salt, but, of course, much smaller. Some years ago I had
tests made by native "hunters" with British }K)wder, as supplied to the Central and Eastern
Provinces, and they agree<l that the British was the l>ett©r quality, but our natives are very conserva-
tive, and it is often difficult to move them even with a better article when once they have become
aociutomed to a certain brand. Still, if Kone abont in the right way, I believe we oould successfully
introdaoe common or " trade " British powder into the Lagos markets.

Cooper^ Stores. — Chiefly the staves and heads of palm oil casks sent ont here in bundles, and
loeally known aa "shooka." These shooks are received either new or second-hand, the latter having
already done service, and being really returned empties whieh 4ave been overhauled by coopers in
Europe and put in good condition. From the stater- icned to this Appendix it will be seen

that Germany and Holland together Bhipp«><l only a li than a quarter the vidue of consign-

ments from United Kingdom in l'.Hl7. but now do half as much. In addition, shooks to the

value of £5,900 were received here from ' -uitee of .\merica last year. So far as I am advised,

a Urge proportion of the staves and heads coming out here from the Continent and Unitoil States of
America are second-hand. It is not anreasonable to suppose that with the increased shipping facilities
from Holland and the United Stated, the coo|>er8 in those countries should fin<l a market in Nigeria or
other parts of West Africa for any empty oil casks they can collect. Large quantities of palm oil are,
of coarse, exported to the Continent and also to America, and it is not improbable that a good deal of
the business in retame<l and refiaired empties is now done direct from the conntries in question
instead of via Liverpool, where the patching up of second-hand casks is an important branch of the
ooopen' business. '

Sartfmntaare. — In 1907 the combined share of this boidneas taken by Germany and Holland wm
abont one-ninth of the whole, as compared with ohe-(|narter in 1911. Reason given by local
merchants' is that Continental suppliers show more originality in shape, desii^i and colouring than the
general mn of makers in the United Kingdom. In this particular business, my personal opinion
is that the Continental designs and sluipes have appealed more to the natives than the
old stereotyped patterns with the crndest of colourings shipped from the Unite<l Kmgdom, and that it
is not a question of lower prices. About one-half the total Southern Nigeria imports of earthenware
are bandied at I.Agos, which may be fairly described as the most progressive business centre in West
Africa. Ten years ago the receipts of earthenware at that port from Germany averaged under £400
per annnm, and nothing came from HoUand. In 1910-11 the average receipts per annum at l.>agos
from Germany was £2,000 and from Holland £.'i,7lM). Putting it another way, Germany and Holland
together secured 35 per cent, of the whole earthenware trade at I..agos in 1910-11, as compared with
eight \mr cent, only ten years ago. It is figures such as these which bring home to one the activity
of foreign competitors in classes of goods in which ^e formerly did nine-tenths of the trade, and in
which our position was considered tkMj secQTd.

Furniture. — In this class the increase made by Germany is about proportionate to that secured
by the United Kingdom. About one-quarter of the whole of our imports are of Continental origin, and
one would think we should be able to obtain a greater share. Of course suppliers on the Continent
are much stronger than those in the Uniced Kingdom in the way of bentwood chairs, &c., but that does
not account for the whole of their business by any means, although it forms an appreciable share. In
the oonrse of my enquiries here, I have been told that the Continental manufacturers seem to go in
more largely than the British makers for what 1 am informed is known in the trade as " knock-down "
and collapsible furniture. This class of furniture (mostly chairs) is so constructed that it can be easily
taken to pieces or folded up and packed in an economical form for shipment. The German firms also
do a fairly large business in canvas deck chairs, which are much cheaper than those generally
obtainable in the United Kir)gdom. But I think the great secret of their success lies in the freight saving
goods they supply, and this is a very important factor which our own manufacturers not only in this
bat in other bnsincasea, need to pay most particular attention to.

Ttxtiles. — In 1907 the proportion of our total imports of cotton, woollen and silk manufactures
secured by Germany and Holland was equal to only 4'3 per cent, of the whole, their combined
IniainesB then running to £.'>0,lXM) only. In 1911 their share had risen to £13(j,()00, equal to almost
10 per cent. These are somewhat disquieting figures, concerning, as they do, the principal
manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom. A large portion of the increase, as I am informed,
is due to velveteens, figured velvets, silk-faced velvets, and plushes. Some of these goods are
classified as cotton manufactures and the remainder as silk, although the proportion of pure silk is,
generally speaking, very slight. The reasons given by the local merchants for the increasing trade
with the Continent in velvets, &c., is that for the same money a more attractive looking article can be

Southern Nigeria — cont.

obtained than from the United Kingdom. I concluded from what I was told, and from the eamplcB
shown to me, that the pile cutters, dyers and finishers on the Continent can turn out a cheap cloth to
look equal to a really better quality of British manufacture. Richness of colour in the cheaper
qualities from the Continent and " lustre" are more particularly spoken of by the local merchants as
being superior to that found on the same quality of cloth produced in England. There is no
BDggestion that our Lancashire and Yorkshire manufacturers cannot produce the plain uncut cloth as
cheaply as the Germans, and it would appear as if the success of Continental manufacturers was more
particularly due to their skilful finishing processes, and I have been informed that the grey cloth for
some of the velvets which are imported here from Hamburg is really manufactured in Lancashire and
sent over to the Continent for dyeing, &c.

Another class of textiles in which the imports from the Continent have very appreciably increased
during recent years is Dutch and German prints. These goods are of excellent quality throughout,
and the successful business done by foreign competitors in such goods may be attributed to the
originality of the designs and to the effective blending of fast colours, in which latter respect the
Continental printers seem to excel. I am informed that until quite recently nothing to match some of
the Dutch and German styles could be obtained in the United Kingdom, but that now the British
printers seem to be mastering the colouring, and that there is a reasonable prospect of the United
Kingdom getting back some portion of this particular trade.

With regard to woollen goods, so far as I can learn here the increase in imports from Germany is
mainly due to Berlin wool, shoddy rugs, blankets and shawls, and to a very minor extent to low
quality suitings.

Smoking Pipes. — We have here, in a very small class of goods, another illustration of progress
made by foreign competitors at the expense of British makers. In 1907 Germany and Holland together
did about one-quarter of the whole business in smoking pipes ; to-day they are securing CO per cent.
The local merchants attribute the loss of the United Kingdom's trade to cheaper pipes obtained on the
Continent. Tt is regrettable that in a trade such as this, where labour forms a very large proportion of
the cost of the finished article, we should find the trade falling into other hands. If the shipments
from United Kingdom had increased in proportion to the total pipe trade in Nigeria, the business in
British supplies of these goods would be double what it is to-day. The bulk of the pipes imported,
are, by the way, clay ones (white and torrified), and I believe tlie industry for the West African export
trade is more particularly carried on at Glasgow and Manchester.

Southern Nigeria — cont.

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Southern Nigeria — cont.
APPENDIX C.

MbmoranDOM concerning certain classes of goods not inclnded in Appendix B, but in which
the United Kingdom might secure a larger share of the total trade.
Enamelivare. — Whilst a comparison ^;yith 1007 is not possible, owing to these goods being included
under the general head of Hardware until 1909, the following figures show the comparative imports
for 1909-11 :—

From United Kiogdom
„ Germany
„ Holland

1909.

1910.

£
3,215
9,370
1,2-19

9,823

16,961

2,487

1911.

11,058

19,310

2,290

In this particular instance, it would appear that we had gained proportionately more than the
Continent since 1909, but my object in referring to the figures is to show that the total import from
the United Kingdom in 1911 was only half that from Germany and Holland together, viz., United
Kingdom £li,O0() as against the Continent £21,500. It has also been suggested to me that a certain
proportion of the enamelware shipped via Liverpool is really of continental manufacture.

The merchants here are agreed that the quality of British made enamelware is far superior to
that received from the Continent, but state that the latter is much cheaper, and that there is here a
demand for low priced qualities which apparently the British makers do not care to touch.

As enamelware furnishes a suitable illustration, I do not think I can do better than enlarge
somewhat upon the question of supplying cheap qualities of goods to markets in which there is a
demand for such stuff. In that respect our British manufacturers seem often to lag^behind, being content,
for at all events a time, to lose the business rather than reduce their quality.' On the other hand
foreign competitors, and especially the Germans, appear to be always open to supply — down to a
certain point, of course — cheaper types of goods if asked to do so. Generally speaking, the attitude
of British and Continental manufacturers towards cheap qualities would seem to indicate that the
latter anticipated demands for low grades in tropical markets, where a large proportion of the
purchasers are more Impressed by appearance and cheapness than by the real worth and wearing
qualities of an article.

I have already indicated that so far as good quidities are concerned, the British manufacturer
can, with a few exceptions, hold his own, but he certainly does not in certain departments get his share
of the cheaper lines which are going, and I think he should not despise this class of business which
in rapidly expanding markets like Nigeria would mean, in the course of time, a very useful addition
to his turnover. It would appear in certain classes of goods that the " lowest possible" quality was
looked upon from a diffei'ent standpoint in Germany than in the United Kingdom, but, strange to say,
not in other classes. In cheap tinware and buckets, for example, we do practically the whole of our
business with the United Kingdom, and also by far the greater trade in cheap galvanized roofing
sheets. Had not the British makers of these goods reduced their qualities, it is probable that the bulk
of the existing trade in them would have passed ere this to the Continent. Perhaps mention of what
has happened in the galvanized sheet business will help towards a clearer understanding of my point.
Twenty years ago in Lagos the regular type of roofing iron seat out here was 24 gauge, then 26 guage
was introduced and cut out the 24, and subsequently 28, 30 and even a thinner gauge still was brought
out, and to-daj" practically the whole of the business, so far as the native trade is concerned, is done
in Lagos in this last named very thin quality. The result of the British makers keeping pace with
the competition which rules here is that in roofing iron they have kept four-fifths of the total trade,
the imports from the United Kingdom in 1911 being of the value of £84,000 as compared with total
receipts from all sources of £103,000, and I have reason to believe that a quantity of roofing iron
shipped to the local German firms from Hamburg was really manufactured in the United Kingdom.

Implements and Tools. — Total imports in 1911 were valued at £51,000, of which the United Kingdom
secured £29,000, Germany £18,500, and Holland £3,000. The large imports from the Continent may
to a great extent be accounted for by the fact that British makers cannot or will not produce a cheap
" matchet " suitable for this country both as regards quality and- price. These matchets, or cutlasses
as they are sometimes termed, are used by farmers and others throughout Southern Nigeria, and I
believe in the tropics generally, and a large trade is done*in them. Some time ago, when pursuing
enquiries on this particular subject, I learnt that the business was practically confined to a wealthy
ring of rolling mill firms in Germany, but I have never been able to understand why the British
makers could not compete, and I would suggest that the matter is one well worthy of attention. I
would press the point because four-fifths of the cheap cutlery is imported from the United Kingdom,
and in that branch of trade we seem to be holding our own. If we can compete in cheap tinware,
roofing sheets, and cutlery, it seems odd that we should not also be able to do so in the matchet
business, which is very well worth having.

A relatively small quantity of tools is also imported from Germany, but the bulk of the business
secured by that counti-y under the head of ''implements and tools" is undoubtedly transacted in
matchets.

^^u^rar.— Total 1911 imports £20,700, of which £11,500 came from the United Kingdom, £6,700 from
Germany, and £2,000 from Holland. The imports from Germany are practically confined to the
Western (Lagos) Province, where £6,000 worth was received last year as compared with only £2,000
from the United Kingdom. The local merchants attribute the preference for German sugar primarily to
cheapness, and to some extent to forms of packing which are more convenient for distribution to
small retailers.

With regard to the question of price, I find that the declared value of sugar received from
the United Kingdom in 1911 (exclusive of freight) was 20s. per cwt., whilst that from Germany cost

Southern Niqekia — cont.

lbs. ptr cwt. only. It ia not 8aggeet«d that the sweetening qualities of 20j<. worth of English sugar
is not far more than 15«. worth of German, but our natives like to see a good deal in the way of balk
for their money, and it would be difficult to convince them that with a piece of British sugar
say three-quarters the size of the German they would get the same amount of true sweetening
matter.

Coucemiug {tacking, which is always an important factor in these markets, a dozen years or more
ago cube sugar was imported from the Continent in 50 kilo, cases, say approximately 1 cwt. Sub-
sequently the packages were cut down to about 56 lbs., then to 28 lbs., and now there is quite an
appreciable trade done in small wooden boxes of sugar weighing only 14 lbs. or less. Of course,
1 cwt. of sugar put up in one package )nii.tt be cheaper than the same quantity made up in eight
small boxes, but sugar is retailed here by verj* small traders, and these small shopkeepers or hawkers
of limited means, who can afford to buy only 10 to 20 lbs. at one time, are now getting the sugar in
the small boxes at a cheaper price direct from the actual importer than they were formerly able to
buy from the first middleman. This question of packages suitable for the small retailer is a very
important one, as I feel sure yon will understand from the above illustration, and it is one which our
own people need to bear well in mind, not only as regards sugar but other goods sold by hawkers
and small traders, in which the usual packages are at present large but which lend themselves to
splitting up.

Matches.— ToU\ value of 191 1 imports £13..')00, of which £:$,70«1 from the United Kingdom, £S,200
from Germany, and £1,050 from Hollaml. To the best of my knowledge the real source of origin of the
bulk of continental supplies is either Norway, Sweden, or Belgium, from which countries safety matches
find their way to Nigeria in lartje quantities either via Hamburg or Rotterdam. The British matches
which come out here are practically all of the " strike anywhere " variety. The import of
these British matches is rather singularly confined to the Western (Jjagos) Province, where they form
]iractically one half of the total import, the value of such matches received at Lagos being £3,53(^ in
i'.'ll as compared with a total at that port of £7,400. Th< ' ' f British matches imported into the
other two provinces of Southern Nigeria is negligible, ' , ly £200 all told in lltU, whilst the

total itn|xirt.-\tions in the Central and Kastern Provinces wero ot the value of £t5,0(.K). Efforts have
beATi made by the merchants to introduce the Ffritisli non-safety matches into the Central and Eastern
r -. but the natives in those districlA show a very decide<l preference for safety matches, and

i > no progrem has been made with the other kind which is so popular in Lagos. One

woinlers if our British match makers ooald not province a siifety to com})ete with the type received
via the Continent. These are, generally speaking, of reliable quality and are cheap, although I notice
from tilt' statistics that th«> declared cost of foreign matches is slightly higher than the British. These
latter, however, are put up in vi»rv cIh-ho iMr,Ih(>:ird boxes, but for the purely native trade I do not
think this form of packing w ill the business, so long as the British safeties were

good and cheap, and if the strikwiK ^..^t- ., . .< ..tlixed in such a manner as to serve pro^terly to tlie
en<l of the box in this climate. This is an import^int point, especially to the poorer consumers who
want certain strikes fur their money. It wonid also very materi.iUy help on the popularity of the
British tafeties if the makers could affoni to put say half a dozen more matches in each 1>ox than are
found in the be«t "' s, andwir " lin tjt) to 70 matches, although there are

some less {wpular '. hnv onl s in the box. If it can be managed, I

would suggest 72 to Ti' Im r. Tliu Custouiit limit, by the way, for boxes of this size is

XO matches to the b<jx, U- aireful not to exceed that number. If they do, an extra

3d. per gross boze^ will bv duutauded, the ordinary duty for boxes not exceeding 80 being 6d.
per gross.

I am putting forward this suggestion, as to the feasibility of British makers competing with the
Xorwi'L/iun, Swedish, and Belgian matches which are sent out here from the Continent, on the
> 11 that the freight on suitable match making timber to Liverpool would not be more, and

p; would be much leen. than the cost of transporting matches from Norway or Sweden to

lliiiil r,;. The freight from LivenK>ol to Nigeria is the same ps from Hamburg. I also assume that
our own people have the very latest labour saving machinery.

Habeidiuhfry and Cntlitn rf:-<i,r,j. — The total imports of these two classes from all sources in
1911 was £2.H.«I00, of which £11 • from the United Kingdom, £8,200 from Germany, and £2,;J00

from Holland. Cheapnetw and •>■ .^M..>.ity of design are said to account for the fact that practically
half the goods imported in these classes are from the Continent.

Ale, Beer and Porter. — The imports mainly consist of light bottled beers. Total imports
of beer in bottles in llMt was £1)'>.2(I0. of which £8,200 came from the United Kingdom, £7,300
from Germany, and £t)00 from Holland. From Appendix "A" it will be seen that a much
larger quantity of beer in quarts cnmt's from Germany than from the United Kingdom, but in pints
the position is reversed, two-thirds of the total supply coming from the United Kingdom. The
total imports of beer in i>int» (not shown in Appendix '*A") was £9,500 in 1911, of which
£(j,40l) came from the United Kingdom, £3,00(J from Germany and £1(K) only from Holland. Generally
speuking, the continental brewere do not appear to find so great a deoiand for their light beers in pint
bottles, and several brands can only Im obtained in quarts. It is only a relatively small line, and aa
we have practically one half of the whole bottle<l trade, I personally consider the position in this class
fairly satisfactory in face of the well deserved popularity of some continental brews. Our own people
ship quart bottles aa well as pints to this market, and no pertinent suggestions strike me as to means
by which their trade can be enlarged.

" Trade" Spiritt. — This is the last class of mercliandise to which I desire to call attention, but so
Cur as imports from the Continent are concerned it is the most important. The total value of Gin and
Bam reccirH in Sontht-m Nigeria last year was £410,(^X), of which less than £12,000 came from the
United Kv The bulk of the total trade was secured by Holland and Germany who.se respective

■hares w»- 'HiOaiiil £9;5,(HKI. Imiiortsfrom the United Kingdom (ajiart from Whiskey which is

not included in the above total) chiefly consist of Old Tom or Plymouth Gin for Hluropean or better
cUsB natire consumption, and a certain quantity of barrel Rum (£3,(XX)) which is almost entirely
shipped to the Eastern Province.

mm 0 3

SoDTHERN Nigeria — cont.

For all practical purposes it may be stated that the distillers in the United Kingdom do not at
present cater for the demand for cheap bottled spirits in these markets, and in some quarters there
would appear to be very strong prejudice against the business in what is commonly termed " trade "
spirit, this description being held in contempt as implying that the liquor sent out here from
Rotterdam or Hamburg is generally of the worst possible type. This has been proved to be
altogether too sweeping a view, but even assuming that •' trade " spirits are of low quality, why should
not the British distillers endeavour to place upon the market a better brand to drive the continental
stuff out ? There would not appear to be anything discreditable in making pure grain spirit in the
United Kingdom, guaranteeing it as such, and shipping same to these markets to replace the Dutch
or German liquor against which charges have so freely been levelled on account of the alleged low
quality.

During the last two decades a considerable change for the betier has been noticeable in the quality
of spirits received from the continent. In the early nineties, although good quality Hamburg and
Dutch Gin was even at that time being imported to an appreciable extent in the Central and Eastern
Provinces, /he whole of the liquor received in the Western (Lagos) Province was cheap Hamburg
spirit. 1'owards the end of the nineties, one or two important firms of Dutch distillers attacked the
Lagos trade with a better and dearer quality of spirit than that commonly shipped from Hamburg,
and they have been so successful as to now supply over nine-tenths of the ^^hole of the gin entering
Lagos, viz. £117,000 value in 1911, as compared with only £10,000 from Hamburg. Is it not possible
for the United Kingdom by the same methods, i.e. better quality, to secure some share of this trade ?

A few years ago efforts were made from here to interest British distillers in the question of
supplying cheap but sound grain spirit to these markets, but nothing came of it. We were given to
underetand that the exorbitant prices asked by the British glassmakers for bottles was in itself a very
serious handicap, and that the restrictions placed upon the export spirit trade by the Revenue
authorities and Dock Boards further tended to place our distillers at a disadvantage. At that time I
gathered that there was no question as to the British distillers being able to produce a true grain
spirit — immature, perhaps, but nevertheless genuine — at a reasonable figure, and the evidence given
before the Whiskey Commission in 1908 would seem to bear this out, for it was then stated that
Patent Still "silent" spirit was sold in the United Kingdom at so low a price as Is. lit/, per gallon.

Given equal facilities by the Revenue authorities and Dock Boards, it is difficult to understand
why an up-to-date distillery could not be worked as economically at Liverpool as at Rotterdam, for
the freights on maize and other raw materials would be approximately the same in either case. And
glassmaking is one of the chief industries at St. Helens, only a few miles away from Liverpool.

I have shown that the Dutch distillers were able to break into the trade with a spirit of better
quality and higher price than the ordinary run of German liquor, and that being the case one would
think our own distillers might now have a chance even if their supplies were fractionally higher than
those from Holland. Much can be done to popularise a slightly dearer article by some new flavour-
ing matter, always provided the spirit is sound to commence with.

There is one point in connection with this spirit trade which I should like to mention, but I am
not certain if I can make my meaning quite clear. It is with regard to the Customs Duty, which in
1892 (when all the Lagos " trade " spirits was imported from Hamburg) was only Is. (one shilling)
j)er proof gallon. To-day the duty levied is 5s. &d. per gallon of a strength of 50 degrees Tralles, with
an addition of 2\d. for every degree above .50, and a rebate of 1^. per degree below, and with a
minimum charge of 4s. M. per gallon. With so low a duty as Is. per gallon twenty years ago, it will
be understood that the first cost of " trade " spirits in Europe was the principal factor dominating the
selling price to the natives, and that a variation of 3rf. or Qd. per case on the then local selling price
made a much more appreciable difference than it does to-day with the duty at 5s. M. per gallon. My
point is that the higher the duty, the more favourable the opportunity of introducing better quality
spirits which may cost a little more. On the face of it, this may seem rather paradoxical, but I think
you will agree that an increase of, say, &d. per case (1 gallon) on 5s. would be enough to place the
cheaper article completely out of court, whilst a difference of 6rf. per case on selling values of 10,f. to
to 12s. might not prove an insuperable obstacle in the introduction of some better quality with a
guarantee behind it.

The whole question would appear to be well worthy of consideration, and if anything can be
accomplished by British distillers to secure (with a guaranteed pure grain spirit) a fair share of the
South Nigerian liquor trade, which is now passing to the Continent to the extent of £100,000 per
annum, it will make a useful addition to the trade of the United Kingdom,

GOLD COAST.

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Accra, Gold Coast.
14th October, 1912.
In accordance with tie request contained in your letter of the 6th June, I have
the honour to transmit to you, herewith, a rejKirt on British as coinpsired with Foreign
trade in the Gold Coast. Attached to it are three statements of trade.

The Assistant >t'crftary,

(Commercial De|)artinent),
Bonrd of Trade.

I have, &c.,

C. H. Harper,
Acting Colonial Secretary.

Memorandum on British as compared with Foreign Imports into

the Gold Coast Colony.

General Stati«tics, — The total value, at |K)rt of entry, of all ^oods imported into the
Gold Coast Colony during 1911 amounted to £3,784,259. Of this total, goods imported
fn»m the United Kingdom were value<l at i!2,842,X95, or 75 i>er cent, of the whole ;
giKxls from British Colonies at £55,798, or over 1 per cent, of the whole, and goods
from Foreign Couutriett at £885,566, or less than 24 per cent, of the whole.

2. Goods imports*! iliirini; this periorl on behalf of Government and Government
liailways were valued at £140,221 ; specie at £881,091 ; and commercial imports,
exclusive of specie, at £2,762,946.

'A. Of commercial imports— the princi|)al subject of the present inquiry — those from
Foreign Countries were valued at £776,545 or 28 \\{tv cent, of the whole ; from British
Colonies at £37,285 or 1 i»er cent, of the whole ; and from the United Kingdom at
£1,949,116 or 70 per cent, of the whole. Since our statistics were classified in 1911 (for
the first time) according .to "countries whence consigned," the last figure may be
taken as showing correctly the commercial imi)ortx tliat have been actually manufactured
in the United Kingdom, or have [Missed thnnigh the British markets.

4. Of ojmmercial imjxirts from the Unitetl Kingdom, I estimate the value of
those of British origin at £1,785,362 or 64 per cent, of the total commercial irniwrts.
This figure I consider indicates as nearly as possible the true jwsition of British
manufactures in the markets of the Colony.

5. Foreitjn Competition- The accompanying three statements show the princiixil
commercial imports in which articles of foreign origin have comi)eted to any considerable
extent with the corresponding articles of British origin during 1909, 1910 and 1911.
Minor imports ; classes of imports in which British gixjds practically enjojr a monopoly ;
irajjorts on behalf of Government (which were nearly all of British origin), and goods
such as flour, corkwcxxl, rice, kerosene oil, lumber, rum, wines and unmanufactured
t«)ljecco, which do not cora[)ete with any British manufacture are excluded from these
statements. These will be found in detail in the Blue BfK)ks of the Colony.

6. The following n<jtes show in each case the nature of the comijetition :■ —

(a) Ai;ricultural and Gardenimj Implements. — Imj^rts from Germany and Holland
are probably all of Gennan origin, and consist principally of matchets and native hoes.
These are of inferior quality and (;heji{)er than the corresi)on<ling British articles. They
arc im|K>rted more largely from Germany than from England solely because the principal

Gold Coast — continued.

importer is a German firm. The British articles when imported generally find a ready
market, and that they are losing ground is due only to the neglect of the trade by the
local British firms. The remedy is obvious, but the British manufacturer must not forget
that particular types become popular or un])opular for no apparent reason, and that in
order to capture and hold the trade, he must satisfy the requirements and very often the
caprices of the local purchasers.

(b) Ale and Beer. — The only beer consumed in this Colony in any quantity is
" lager." The stronger British beers do not keep well, and are too heavy for
consumption in the Tropics. A British Lager is struggling for a place in the
market, but it is not nearly so popular as the Munich and Pilsener varieties. British
firms as well as German firms import their " lager " from Germany. If British
manufacturers are to capture this trade, they must imitate the German article more closely
than they do at present.

(c) /^ertc?s.— Practically all the beads imported here are of Austrian and Italian
origin — even those imported from Germany and the United Kingdom. Austria succeeded
Venice many years ago as the principal manufacturer of this connnodity for the African
market and so far no rival has seriously challenged her supremacy. Her manufacturers
now have the advantage of long experience in the industry, but that they have any
advantage from labour conditions, supplies of raw material, or any other condition
incidental to the manufacture of beads is certainly far from obvious. Close touch with
the market so as to be able to supply beads of the latest and most popular jjatterns
is essential to success in this trade. " Fashion " rules the market and is quite as
capricious here as it is in Europe. Birmingham beads, as far as I can ascertain, are not
sold in this Colony.

(d) Bags and Sacks. — The imports from Germany correspond with the proportion
of our cocoa crop that is sent to the German market.

(e) Blue^ Indigo. — .That imported from Germany has no advantage either as regards
price or quality over the corresponding British article, and local British and German
traders import from their respective countries. It will be noticed that Britain is gaining
in this trade.

(f) Bread and Biscuits. — Bi-itish biscuits maintain their supremacy, but dui'ing the
last two years a cheap coarse biscuit imported from France, originally introduced by the
local French traders, has taken a wonderful hold on the popular taste. British traders are
now importing it, but they are also importing a very successful British imitation — a
course they might pursue with advantage in several other directions,

(g) Building Materials. — The principal article imported from Germany is cement.
This is of inferior quality and is imported only by German traders, who find it necessary
to import also the superior and more popular British commodity. F^'oreign competition
in this need not be feared. In the current year (1912). owing to the labour unrest in
England, a considerable amount of German cement has been imported. Imports from
Holland are probably of German origin.

(h) Candles. — Imports fi-om Belgium, Germany and Holland are of cheap inferior
varieties which are generally made up in fancy colours, and are introduced almost
exclusively by German and other foreign traders. The competition in this article is
declining and need not be feared.

(i) Coopers' Stores. — Those imported from Holland .are probably of German origin,
and with those imported from Germany make up a total that corresponds only to the
proportion of our palm oil exports sent to the German market.

(j) Cotton Yarn and Twist. — Imports from Germany consist principally of coarse
yarns used in the (^uittah district for the manufacture of " Quittah cloths." They are
introduced almost exclusively by German traders. Britain is gaining ground in this trad,e.

(k) Cotton Manufactures. — British cottons retain their supremacy and are imported by
German as well as by British traders. There is a coarse German cloth, however, that has
become very popular on account of the stability of its colours. It is imported by British
as well as by German firms, and is generally printed after English designs. A still more
popular cloth of somewhat finer texture, made and printed in Holland, is also imported
here by British as well as by foreign traders. It has attained its popularity too on account
of the stability of its colours, and like the German cloth it is generally printed after
English designs.

It is quite impossible to advise the British manufacturer as to how he should
protect his designs so as to prevent his foreign competitors from using them. Registra-
tion in the Colony would not be sufficient, as a given .merchant might easily be selling at
one and the same time a British, a Dutch, and a German cloth, all of the same pattern.

Gold Coast — contintted.

and as most of his competitors would be doing likewise, nobody would 1)6 likely to
invoke the assistance of the law on behalf of the British manufactured article. Even if
the law were invoked, the forger could escape by making a few immaterial alterations in
the original design.

(1) Druijs and Chemicals. — The principal import from Germany consists of patent
medicines, introduced almost exclusively by German traders. This trade is well worth
the attention of British manufacturers. The native is an inveterate consumer of patent
medicines, and a large trade might be obtained in any medicine that succeeded in
acquiring a local reputation.

(m) Furniture. — Imports from Germany consist principally of bentwood chairs and
80&8. These are imported fwm Germany by British as well as by foreign traders, and I
understand their raanufiicture is a German speciality. In the trade as a whole Britain is
no more than maintaining her position.

(n) Hardware. — Imports from Germany and Holland consist largely of enamelled
iron vessels — the manufacture of which seems to be a German speciality. At present
practically all the enamelled vessels in this market are im|X)rted from Germany. Cheap
cutlery and cheap sewing machines also are largely imported from Germany, but almost
entirely by German traders. Both those lines are well worth closer attention from British
manufacturers.

(o) Musical Instruments. — Imports from Germany consist principally of jK>rtable
organs, concertinas, mouth organs, cheap band instrument's and such g(X)d8. Those lines
are German specialities and local British traders are forced to import them from German}'.
The trade as a whole is developing rapidly, and British goods are more than holding
their own.

(p) Mineral Waters. — Imports from France consist principally of the well known
" I'errier," and those from Germany largely of the e<iually well known but less popular
" Saurbrunen." These are iinjKirted by British as well as by foreign traders. Germany
alsu supplies a very popular lemonade which is imfx^rted by firms of all nationalities.

Britain is losing ground in this trade, an<l she can regain it only by imitating the
foreign lines that are already {M^pular in the market, or by inventing new lines of her
own to suit the popular ttuste.

(q) Fer/umerf/. — Imports from Germany and Holland consist of very cheap and
inferior oils, fats, and water, colouretl, scente*! and made up in most attractive looking
packages to catch the popular fancy. British traders import these largely from Germany.
This trade is expanding rapidly, and while Britain has secure<l the grejiter proi)ortion of
the increase, she could i«sily df» Ix-tter. Attractive looking receptacles are essential to
success, and in making up these the Gennan manufacturer is easily tirat. Again British
manufacturers do not imitate successful Gennan lines, while Germans very ([Uickly imitate
successful British ones.

(r) Provisions. — Importations from Germany and Holland consist principally of
sausages, tinned meats and cheese. Most of these arc German and Dutch specialities. A
"natural milk" from (Jermany has become very popular lately, and is imported by
British as well as by (rerman firms. " Natural milk ' generally is growing in favour,
but I have not seen an English brand on the market. Tinned butter, too, is getting a
hold on the popular taste.

(s) Satt^ Coarse. — French salt enjoys no advantage over the English variety, either
in price or quality, but is preferred in districts where it lias been long established.
British as well as foreign merchants imjHirt it for those districts.

(t) Flint Lock Guns. — Holland and lielgium are the princijMil suppliers. I cannot
discover any adequate reason for this. The trade is worth the attentic)n of British
manufacturers. Ihe apparent decline in the imports from the United Kingdom is due to
the classification of imports in 1911 according to "countries whence consigned " instead
of "countries whence im[)orted " as was the case in previous years.

(u) Spirits — Gin. — Pro>jal>ly '.'O i)er cent, of the gin imported here is of the "trade"
variety and is manufactured almost exclusively in Holland. It is a Dutch speciality and
has held the market here for many years, but it is gradually losing hold on the popular
taste — which has turned lately to American rum. British manufacturers have never
shown any inclination to compete in this commodity.

(v) Sugar. — German sugar has some advantage in price, if not in quality, over
British sugar, and it has a considerable hold on the i>opular taste. British as well as
German traders import. The British manufiiicturer is losing ground in this trade,
and is likely to lose still further unless he can supply a cheaper article.

Gold Coast — continued.

(w) Tobacco, Manufactured. — Imports from Germany and Holland consist exclusively
of cheap inferior cigars, of kinds that are not manufactured in the United Kingdom.
The trade in manufactured tobacco as a whole is expanding rapidly, and it is satisfactory
to note that nearly the whole of the increase of the last three years has gone to the United
Kingdom.

(x) Wearing Apparel. — Imports from Germany and Holland consist principally of
cheap singlets, shirts, collars, underwear and ready-made clothing : lines which are very
popular here and which are well worth closer attention fi-om British manufacturers.
British traders import them from Germany, which they would not do if they could
procure similar lines in England.

7. Samples. — I have purchased a number of samples of the foreign goods referred
to in the foregoing notes, and I will send them in due course to the Board of Trade,
labelled in each case with the retail price in the local market.* These may be useful to
present or prospective British competitors. I shall be glad at any time to send given
samples of other foreign goods if asked to do so, and to give any further available
information as to any particular feature of foreign competition.

8. Commercial Travellers. — As far as can be ascertained here, none of the foreign
competition is induced or supported by bounties in the countries of origin. Neither has
it any advantage from superior representation by commercial travellers. Of course com-
mercial travellers both British and foreign visit the Colony, but the amount of trade they
obtain is a negligible fraction of the whole, and is likely to remain so. It is carried on
as a rule through a bank with petty traders — a class with an abnormally low standard of
commercial morality— and any supplier who takes it up must do so under substantial
guarantees, or at considerable risk. It must not be inferred, however, that local
canvassing by commercial travellers is useless. A keen traveller can always obtain useful
information for his principals and keejj them in touch with local requirements ; and there
are several small traders prepared to give all necessary guarantees, and to carry on a
profitable trade with any manufacturer who can supply them with good selling articles.

9. The bulk of the canvassing for trade for this Colony is done in Europe where
nearly all our important trading firms have their headquarters. These headquarter
branches are nearly always the buying branches of their firms, and they are generally
managed by men who have full experience of West African trade, and who would be
likely to give every encouragement to any manufacturer who could put up a suitable line
for their market. The best advice I can give to British manufacturers is to introduce
their wares in the first instance to one of these buying branches.**

10. General Remarks. — It has been stated that British trade in this Colony suffers
because the British trader keeps up a more elaborate and ex]:»ensive establishment than his
foreign competitor, and because his headquarter branch in England invoices goods to him
at too high a rate in order to cut down his commission. I cannot find the least evidence
of this, and the best answer to it is that notwithstanding such supposed handicaps the
British trader more than maintains his ground, and places his goods on the market at
least as cheaply as his foreign competitor.

11. It has also been said that British trade suffers from the reluctance or tardiness of
principals in England to take the advice of their Agents in the Colony as to the supply
of new lines or the variation of old ones. While this may be true in individual instances,
there is not the least evidence that, on the whole, the British trading firm is wanting
either in foresight or in enterprise.

1 2. Taking the Import trade of the Colony as a whole there is not the least reason
for the British supplier to be dissatisfied with his position. He has held his ground in
all his staple commodities, and he has taken the lion's share of all important increases. Of
the strength and enterprise of his most formidable rival, the German, who incidentally is
the Colony's next best customer, he seems fully aware and appreciative. In this lies the
hope of the future. For every pound the German has gained in the last three years he
has gained seventeen, and there is every reason to believe that, in the future, he will
increase rather than lose his advantages.

"«'■

0. Mitchell,
Acting Comptroller of Customs.

• These samples may be seen by British manufacturers and shippers of British goods on applica-
tion to the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.C.

•• A list of the principal British firms in the Colony, and where possible the names and
addresses of thoir representatives in England may be obtained on application to the Commercial

Tnf.(allicnnr>n Branph nt t.Vn» Rnai*H nf T«i/1<i

Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade.

GrOLD Coast — continued.

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SIERRA LEONE.

j Colonial Skcretary's Office,

Sierra Leone.
.Sir. 9th July, 1912.

1 HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th June
requesting to be furnished with certain information in regard to the present position of
l^ritish trade in this Colony and the Protectorate, and the means by which that trade
may be developed in the future.

2. In compliance with your request, I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of
a report which has been prepared by the Collector of Customs, at my request, which,
together with the tables attached to it, will, I hope, furnish the information desired on the
various points mentioned in your letter.

I have, &c.,

E. EVELYN,

Acting Colonial Secretary.
The Assistant Secretary,

(Commercial Department),
Board of Trade.

Memorandum.

I submit the following statement on the .several points raised by the Board of Trade.

2. From Appendix A, showing the Direction of Import trade with this Colony for
the last three years, it will be seen that in the aggregate the United Kingdom enjoys an
enormous advantage.

3. In various articles, the manufacture of which is common to the United Kingdom
and to certain Continental Countries, the latter to a great extent command the market.
Appendix B gives a list of such articles with the countries from which they are consigned.
As the country of consignnjent is not necessarily the country of origin, it follows that it
is not always the country which competes in manufacture. This is illustrated by the
item " beads."

^ 4. Beads. — Samples and catalogues appear to indicate that beads suitable for the

West African Market can be obtained at considerably less cost from Austria,
through Germany, than from the United Kingdom. The large extent of their
trade in beads enables the Continental Shippers to grant better terms to West African
Traders than can possibly be conceded by British Manufacturers. Hamburg is the
principal port of shipment for goods from the whole of the Continent to this place and the
small cost of transit by the large waterways in Germany no doubt exercises a considerable
influence in determining the ultimate cost of many Continental manufactures. In the case
of beads, it is cheapness of production rather than the popularity of a showy but inferior
article which enables foreign made goods to hold the mariet.

5. With regard to Cutlery, Jewellery, Glassware and Perfumery, in all of which the
imixjrtations from Germany largely exceed those from the United Kingdom, there are for
these goods two distinct classes of customers, one consisting of Europeans and the
superior natives, the other, which is much the larger, wholly of natives. The former
derives its supply mainly from the United Kingdom, which provides goods of generally
better quality. The latter demands goods which are attractive in appearance and low in
price and in order to meet this demand quality must perforce be sacrificed. Particularly
is this so in the case of Perftimery. By reason of its extremely low cost the strong
spirit made in Germany enables the German Manufacturer to produce certain kinds of
perfume at a price with which a Manufacturer of the United Kingdom cannot possibly
compete. It is stated that none of the cheap classes of the above-named articles can be
manufactured in the United Kingdom at an equally low cost as in Germany and other
Continental Countries.

6. Matches. — As is well known, Norway and Sweden are very large sources of supply
of this article and these countries are responsible for the great bulk of importation which
is credited to Germany, the country of consignment.

SiERBA Leone — cont.

7. Figures showing the importation of Tobacco and certain Spirits have been inchided
in Appendix B — as it is thought, the information may possibly be of use. Tobacco
imported into Sierra Leone is entirely of American origin, the various countries shown in
the Table being countries of Consignment.

8. Commercial Travellers have probably not had much to do with the success or
otherwise of firms doing business in Sierra Leone. A few who on their first entrance to
the Colony were simply Travellers have remained as Local Agents of the Firms they
represented, others have appointed Local Agents. In their adopted positions they are
enabled to send to their head-quarters a continuous stream of reliable information regard-
ing local conditions and requirements. Each new agency established naturally extends
the ramifications of trade with West Africa. The Commercial Travellers who visit the
West Coast of Africa in many instances represent firms which already do business on the
Coast and seek to increase their connexion. The new agencies previously referred to
represent foreign firms, and in this respect the foreign manufacturer has been better
represented in the Colony of Sierra Leone than his British competitor.

9. I am not aware of the existence of any Government bounties which in any way
affect the trade of any foreign Country with this Colony.

10. Fnmce and (Germany are well represented in the Commercial life of the Colony
and it may be assumed that business is fairly equally distributed between firms of these
two countries and firms of the United Kingdom. The trade of one firm is almost exactly
similar to that of another. Similar goods are stocked and sold by each and it would be
commercially suicidal for any one firm to try to carry on business successfully while
confining itself to the exploitation of the manu&cturea of its own country to the exclusion
of those of other nationalities.

11. The Compagnie Fran<;aise de I'Afrique Occidentale, which is one of the leading
firms of the Colony, goes perhaps fmlher than any of its riv-als in encouraging the sale of
its nation's manufacture. Several times a year their own trading steamer brings to the
Colony a cargo of goods consigned to themselves and consisting almost entirely of goods
produced or manufactured in France.

12. Generally the opinion of local Merchants is that the catalogues and price lists of
goods of non- British (notably of German) origin are much more informative than tliose
emanating from the United Kingdom. No detail is omitted which may be of use to the
nwsible customer. It is even stated that when goods are ordered from a Continental price
list the purchaser knows beforehand exactly what he will receive and that this is seldom
possible when an indent is made from a British price list, oV^ng to insufficiency of detail.

A. P. ViRBT,

Collector of Customs.

APPENDIX A.

Tablk showing the Import Trade of the Colonv of Hierra Leone for the Three Years ending

3lBt December, 1911.

Country whence Imported.

Imports.

1909.

1910.

1911.

Unite<I Kingdom

British West African PooMSBions

British PosManons (Other)

France

Germany

Holland

Other European Countritj) . ...

United SUtes of America

Foreign West African PnsaeMions

Other Conntries

£
700,233
52,580
80

3.795
95,155
28,061

1,969
:«,235
48,116

9,357

874,943

30,654

2,956

134,029

44,12;')

2,529

4,589

47,530

20,482

950,815

36,043

11,221

142,169

57,393

1,609

10,705

27,825

29,414

Grand Total

974,581

1,162,470 ] 1,267AS1

Note. — The above figures include "specie."

SiEKKA Leone — cant.
APPENDIX B.

TabIjB showing the Countries whence certain articles were imported into the Colony of Sierra Leone

in the Three Years ending 31st December, 191.1.

1909.

1910.

191L

Quantity.

Value.

Quantity.

Value.

Quantity.

Value.

Beads. —

United Kingdom

—

416

—

484

—

527

British West African Possessions

—

France

—

Germany

—

5,800

—

8,753

—

8,220

Holland

—

75t;

—

931

—

814

Other European Countries

—

Foreign West African Possessions

—

102

Other Countries

—

140

—

Total

—

7,010

10,434

—

9,704

Cutlery : —

United Kingdom

—

879

—

1,510

—

■ 1,285

British West African Possessions

—

France

—

Germany

—

3,4.53

—

3,796

—

.3,189

Holland

—

384

—

1,029

—

1,627

Other European Countries

—

United States of America

—

Foreign West African Possessions

—

Other Countries

—

Total

4,789

6,386

—

6,152

Glassware : —

United Kingdom

—

764

—

661

—

542

British West African Possessions

—

France

—

129

—

l-lQ>«TY^ O Tl ir

60.^

535

1,070
332

vTcrXIIali^ •.* ••> .>> ■>■

Holland

138

205

—

Other European Countries

—

Foreign West African Possessions

—

Other Countries

—

Total

—

1,725

—

1,481

—

2,012

Jewellery : —

United Kingdom

—

-:-

474

—

399

British West African Possessions

—

British Possessions (Other)

...

—

Germany

...

178

1,289

—

2,936

Holland ..r- ...

—

253

Other European Countries

—

Foreign West African Possessions

—

Other Countries

—

Total

—

330

—

1,858

—

3,624

Mulches : —

United Kingdom

. • .

—

110

—

194

Germany

...

—

1,715

2,397

—

2,146

Holland

—

128

—

Other European Countries

—

Foreign West African Possessi
Other Countries

ous

T-

T^r^i <» 1

1,9.53

2,481

—

2,415

1 oiai

SiBRBA LbONE COnt.

Appendix B — cont.

1909.

1910.

1911.

Qnantity.

Valne.

Quantity.

Value.

1
Quantity.

Value.

Tobacco, Unman u fnctured : —

Lbs.

Lb«.

Lbs.

United Kingdom

1,487,742

40,519

1,842.236

50,601

1,785,297

48,487

British West African Poeseasions

—

152

Germany

62,720

1,706

28.213

925

116,347

3,192

Holland

—

7,428

"202

—

United States of America

403.200

12,397

20,272

438

68,805

1,809

Foreign West African Posseesions

4,480

686

5,011

147

Total

1,958442

54,715

1,898,987

52,207

1,975,483

53,6.36

Perjktmery:—

United Kingdom

—

2,786

—

2,797

—

3,298

British West African Pofleessions

— -

—

France

178

Germany

—

3,605

—

.5,704

—

4,788

Holland

—

743

—

1,983

—

1,640

Other Enropean Conntriea

—

United States of America

—

Foreign West African Pomoorions

—

Other ("onntries

—

Total

7,428

10,537

— .

9,869

SpiriU .—

Imp.
Galls.

Imp.

Brandy : —

Galls.

United Kingdom

909

757

918

796

1,458

1,174

British West African PotMMBioos

—

France

237

252

166

163

Germany

i;m

412

.3,396

783

:^,322

690

Holland

■_

—

171

Other Knropean Coontrin

—

Foreign West African PooBeMlonB

Totel

2,595

1.490

4,5:i6

1,655

4,966

2,0:^1

Genera . —

United Kingdom

6,879

1,919

9,210

2,296

7,496

2,535

British West African PoflMSBtona

—

Germany

67.114

10,430

94,695

14,685

92,072

22,654

Holland

69;216

11,121

12.3,879

17,826

161,9.59

23,974

Foreign West African PoMewiona

—

Other Conntries

—

174

—

Total

143,211

23.471

227,960

34,834

261.533

49,166

Rum : —

Unit*Ml Kingdom

61,579

4.778

60,.543

4.611

67,100

.5,093

British West African PoaaeMions

—

France

126

Germany

41,961

4,974

77,023

8,586

63,880

6,956

Holland

16,008

1.615

10,895

1,174

16,905

2,186

United States of America

108

—

Foreign West African Possessions

366

Other Conntries

2,468

136

1,728

119

3,141

222

Totol

122,2,')6

11,613

150,681

14,647

151,188

14,544

GAMBIA.

Receiver General's Office,

Bathurst, Gambia.
Sir, 2l8t August, 1912.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th June,
relating to the present position of British trade in Crown Colonies and Protectorates,
and the means by which that trade may be developed in future.

In reply, I beg to transmit herewith an extract from the Government Gazette Extra-
ordinary, of 23rd July last ("Appendix A), which contains a comparative statement of the
quantities and values of Imports from Great Brita,in and the principal Foreign Countries.

It will be seen from this return, that those articles of any importance in which the
importation from Foreign Countries exceeds that from Great Britain, are : —

(1) Wine,

(2) Sugar,

(3) Rice,

(4) Spirits.

1. The bulk of the wine imported would probably in any case be exported from
France, that being the country of its origin.

2. The sugar is of an inferior quality, but it is cheap.

3. The rice imported comes originally from the East Indies, and the quality is very
inferior.

The importation of rice from Germany during 1911 exceeds that from Great Britain
and France put together, and it is worthy of notice that the quantity imported from
Germany during the past three years has increased 300 per cent., while that from Great
Britain shows an increase of little more than 100 per cent, during the same period.

4. The excess in the importation of spirits from Germany is due to the fact that
cheap trade gin made in Germany is the principal spirit consumed.

The only imports into this Colony from Great Britain which exceed those from
Foreign Countries are : —

(1) Cotton Goods,

(2) Gunpowder.

Tlie importation of the latter commodity is a very small asset, from a commercial point
of view.

The former is by far the largest and most important importation into the Colony.

The figures on the extract transraitted herewith, show that the importation from
Great Britain is larger than the aggregate quantity derived from all other sources, but it
is a significant fact that while the importation during 1911 from Great Britain shows a
decrease of more than 10 per cent, from that of 1910, the importation from France has, on
the other hand, increased more than 60 per cent, during the same period ; and Imports
from both France and Germany show a constant increase during the past three years.

Roughly speaking the whole of the decrease in the importation of cotton goods from
Great Britain during the last year has been captured by France and Germany, and were
it to progress in the same proportion the cotton goods ti-ade with the Colony would, in
very few years, be entirely in the hands of the two latter countries.

Generally speaking the tendency to success of foreign competition is principally due
to the facts that : —

1. There is only one English firm in this Colony, and that the remaining European

firms are French. These latter are really branches of French houses which
have their headquarters in France, from whom they receive the bulk of their
merchandise.

2. These firms employ, to a large extent, chartered boats which bring their imports

and take their exports at a cheaper rate of freight than could be obtained from
the one British line of steamers (Elder, Dempster & Co.) which runs from the
United Kingdom to this port, against whom there exists no competition,
whose service is not regular as to date of arrival, departure, &c., and whose
freights have recently been raised 10 per cent.

3. To the inferior goods at cheap prices to suit the purse and taste of the consumers,

who are mostly natives.

4. To the fact that the bulk of the staple product of this Colony (ground nut) is

taken by France, a factor which has no doubt probably facilitated commercial
relations between merchants here and in that country.

Gambia — conf.

I enclose a statement (Appendix B.) showing the proportions of certain articles
obtained from Great Britain in 1899 as compared with 1911.

I have, &c.,

CLINTON GREIG,

For Receiver General.
The Assistant Secretary,

(Commercial Department),
Board of Trade.

APPENDIX A.

Extract from Gambia Goverxmbnt Gazette.

Return of Principal Articlea of Imports, 1907-1911.

Artiole* and CoantriM.

(Jtuuitity.

Value.

WOT.

IMS.

1909.

1910.

1911.

1907. 1908.

1909.

1910.

1911.

Cotton Oftoda—

pkK«.

pkgs.

pkgs.
3,467

pkjf^

pkjre.

Great Britain ...

2,937

2,494

4,9.58

4,287

72.939

57,262 74.409

114,781

105,.540

Sierra I^eone

.^•i

53 20

France

413

592

220

743

1,171

7.746

9,661

2,749

11,263

18,527

Germany

221

:i34

1,026

1,516

4,057

5,790

Belgiam

—

•_

—

French Colonies

236

941

227

^-,

Portngneee ,.

—

.—

Spanish

Holland

...

— .

238

..^

119

Morocco

—

.356

152

Total

3,449

3,256

.3.81H

5,968

5,826

82,023

68,871

79,028

130,611

130324

Tofiacco —

lbs.

Great Britain ...

2()6,9H3

114,516

W),S87

15,897

32.746

5.878

3,709

2,905

778

'1,350

Sierra Leone

—

France

60.667

940

107,031

49,776

14.420

1,663

2,996

1,446

522

Oemuuiy

1.473

59,621

560

36,230

4.5,384

1,801

1,570

1,433

America

25;257

10,146

194,248

;a7,92i

160,684

613

5,795

3,133

4,937

French Colonies

•£H

'.t

20,706

—

610

—

Portognese „

128

—

Spanish „
Holland

—

158

—

Switzerland

—

Total

294,t;64

1H5,26()

40.3,720

.^39,976

253,260

8,248

5,937

12,433

6,964

8,2.50

KolaNuU—

lbs.

Sierra Leone

I,01.').474

905,(H5

798,578

1,112,565

1,287,290

39,942

39,724

45339

65,534

72,598

S^rit$—

galls.

Kails.

galls.

Great Britain ...

6,892

4,753

5,195

.3,164

4,247

1,576

1,215

1,410

1,223

1,637

Sierra Leone

—

France

1,523

2,700

2,820

4,469

4.648

630

812

862

1326

1,245

Germany

15.156

11.965

17,148

34351

48,y7<»

2,398

1,900

2,053

.3,766

.5,119

Holland

i;W2

7,606

6,598

5,783

2,285

212

1,267

809

731

236

America

229

213

3,721

739

2,625

454

276

French Colonies

—

Total

25,175

27334

35,484

48,506

62,775

4,872

5,247 |5,51H)

7,129

8,513

Wm»-

galls.

Great Britain ...

1,691

2,686

1,032

2,178

1,138

401

459 , 328

r»04

452

France

14,097

14.147

17398

16,906

22,447

1,513

1,278 1,738

1,851

2,761

Germany

123

101

231

French Colonies

2,555

3,115

—

1,727

—

199

2Xi

—

116

— .

Portngnese „

198

Holland

—

Total

18,514

20,065

18,723

21,081

23.703

2,1.56

2,(X)2 '2,114

2,527

3,267

MITT

Gambia — cont.
Appendix A. — cont.

Quantity

Value.

Articles and Countries.

1907.

1908.

1909.

1910.

1911.

1907.

1908.

1909.

1910.

1911.

Sugar—

Great Britain ...

France

Germany
French Colonies
Holland

cwts.

659
4,388

128

1
5

cwts.

253
5,025

170
44

cwts.

602
5,503

150

cwts.

632
7,883

232

cwts.

986
10,722

364

700

3,850

286

4,354

158

677

5,013

148

787

8,682

239

1,143

11,120

348

Total

5,181

5,492

6,255

8,747

12,072

4,655

4,838

5,838

9,708

12,611

G'unpou'der —
Great Britain ...

brls.
235

brls.

242

brls.
212

brls.
395

brls.
199

501

608

512

739

462

France

Germany
French Colonies

—

Total

236

259

262

404

199

502

648

604

757

462

Salt-
France

Portuguese

Colonies.
Germany
Spanish Colonies

tons.
2,622

tons.

1,526

101

tons.
2,326

tons.
1,420

tons.
1
1,546

2,211

1,250
128

1,954

1,642

2
1,545

Total

2,622

1,627

2,326

1,420

1,5.50

2,211

1,378

1,954

1,642

1,553

Jiice —

Great Britain ...
Sierra Leone

France

German}'
French Colonies
Portuguese „
Holland

cwts.
61,718
127
35,435
41,695
1

10
2,894

cwts.

28,141

204

35,739

14,311

cwts.

16,599

269

32,270

19,311

cwts.
27.686
147
49,956
23,304
6

cwts.
36,161
162
22,827
60,515

6,178

32,899

17,233

20,304

1,370

12,890

105

17,668

7,101

8,242

132

14,002

9,340

13,969

21,802

10,235

18,790

100

10,584

29.726

3,259

Total

141,880

78,395

68,449

101,099

125,843

71,889

37,764

31,716

46,087

62,459

APPENDIX B.

Beiurn of Articles the Importation of which from Great Britain has during the past 12 years

decreased in proportion of total importation.

Proportions obtained from Great

. ,. , Britain of the total Importations.

Articles. ^

Flour

Cotton Goods
Woollen Goods ...

Cutlery

Machinery
Boots and Shoes

Candles

Umbrellas

Beads

Apparel, Wearing

1899.

1911,

60 per cent.

per cent

92 „

)»

90 „

95 „

75 „

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

Import and Export Office,

Singapore.
Sfa, 9th September, 1912,

In reply to your letter of the 6th June, I now have pleasure in forwarding you a
Report on British and Foreign competition in the Straits Settlements on the lines set
forth therein.

I have, &c,,

A. Stdabt,
Ret/istrar of Imports and Exports.
The Assistant Secretary,

(Commercial Department),

lioard of Trade.

British and Foreign Trade in the Straits Settlements.

In submitting ii rejKjrt «Jii the principal articles of tnide where the values of
foreign imports into this Colony exceetl those of British origin it seems necessary to give
some preliminary explanation.

The Colony imports g<iod.s not only for local consumption amongst a ^)opulation
which, including Labuan and Christmas and Cocoa Islands, mnnbers about 71o,000, as
well as for the requirements of shipping, but the ports of Singapore and Penang are
distributing de[x*>ts c«jllecting agricultural and mineral produce from surrounding places
which is sent chieHy to Europe and America, and distributing the manufactures of
western countries throughout the numerous places of South-east Asia.

The ports being free no customs exist, and considering the large numlxjr of Chinese
and Native traders, the trade returns cannot claim the same full and accurate statistics
which Colonies with custom houses and a large European population are in a position
to provide.

Thus, it is probable that a certaiti amount of goods of American and Continental
origin are credited to the Unite<l Kingdom, being shipped from British ports, and as the
first kiiown jMjit of shipment is taken as indicating tne country of origin, goods shipi)ed
at Antwerp are sometimes of German and Dutch manufacture, while Switzerland having
no place in the returns, the goods of that country are credited generally to France
or Italy.

The tendency to ship goods through London by Continental merchants has been a
dwindling one since these were required to be marked with the country of origin, and
the great increase in the means of direct communication having also helped to discourage
indirect shipments, I do not think this is now a serious factor.

The imports from the United States shipped from home ports and declared here as
from LiverpfKjl and London are few and not of much account, and would not detract
from the deductions on the broad results.

Some of the classes of manufactured goods given in the trade returns are very
comprehensive, and although the whole may show preponderating British or Foreign
values, I have, where necessary, commented in the Appendix on the more important items
that are included in the class, especially in hardware and cutlery, and ap])arel, hosiery,
millinery, haberdashery antl draj>ery.

Another point is the overlapping that must take place where an article may quite
correctly be described under two or even more classes, according to the purpose for which
it is to be used. This I have endeavoured to meet by showing the totals of two or
more kindre<l classes where such is likely to occur, or commenting on the matter in
more detail.

A. Hair Materials. — The raw materials including gums, spices, sago, tapioca, tin and
tin ore, canes, shells and produce generally are collected and shippe<l without being locally
ojnsumed t<j any extent, except in one or two cases, and may therefore more projKjrly be
treated as exjxjrts which lie outside the scope of this report.

The class represented in value in 1911 over 46 per cent, of the total imports.
2n;7 E -2

Straits Skttlkments— (wnimwed.

Included in it are coal, linseed oil, turpentine, pig iron, pig lead, and copper slabs, in
each of which British values predominate.

Lubricating oil, liquid fuel, benzine and petroleum ai-e now mostly the products of
the United States, Sumatra and Dutch Borneo.

B. Foods, Drinks, Live Animals and Narcotics. — The class live animals, foodstuiFs,
drinks and narcotics excluding spices, tapioca, and sago, valued £15| millions in 1911 or
over 34 per cent, of the total imports of which roughly not more than 5 per cent, or
6 jjer cent, is Eui'opean.

Over 70 per cent, of these total imports were re-exported. Approximately, the
United Kingdom furnishes 4 per cent, of the class, British Possessions over 40 per cent.,
and the balance is foreign.

In all cases, except the few articles she is known to produce, I have taken the Colony
of Hongkong, which is a mere distributor of Chinese and Japanese goods, as a foreign
country, as the enormous imports from that place increase British Possessions' percentage
by about 10.

Imports of Asiatic produce included in (B) in which British values chiefly
representing India and Australia exceed the foreign, are : — Horses, sheep and goats,
currystuffs, isinglass, sharks' fins, ghee, crushed cattle food, dhall, gram and other grains,
wheat flour, opium, sago, corriander seeds, bran, and onions and garlic, and of European
produce imported chiefly from the United Kingdom and Australia are : — Biscuits, butter,
confectionery, drugs and medicines, fresh fruits, whisky, porter and stout, provisions
tinned and bottled and fresh and salted, excluding milk, hams and bacons, fresh meat,
cigarettes and tobacco.

Asiatic foreign import values exceed British in cattle, swine, beche-de-mer, birds' nests,
chocolate, medicines, tish, dry and salted and fresh, dried fruits, beans and peas, rice
husked and unhusked, lard, native liquor, provisions dry salted and in jars, cigars, raw
sago, salt, sugar, tea, tobacco, vegetables, and mineral waters, and European and American
values of goods exceed British in milk, spirits, except whisky and wines, and beer excluding
porter and stout.

In treating of these articles of Asiatic origin in which the largest imports are from
foreign countries, it will, I think, be sufficient to show the total values for the three years
and the value of British imports, and indicate in order the principal sources of supply
(see Table I.).

Table L
Statement shoxAing in thousands the Quantities where stated and \'alues in Pounds

Sterling of Live Animals, Articles of Food, Drinks and Narcotics where

Foreign Imports exceed those from British Sources.

(Hongkong treated as a foreign country.)

Articles.

Cattle

Swine

Bcohe-de-mer ,

Birds' nests ...

Chocolate and oocoa .

Drags and medicines.,

Year.

Unit I
of i
Quan-
tity.

Total.

I United Kingdom
and British

Possessions.

Quantities and

values
in thousands.

Quantities and

values
in thousands.

1909
1910
1911

No.

Cwts.

Owts.

Quan-
tities.
26
35
30

82
100
109

10
16

£
133

189
18.5

166
205
231

Quan-
tities.
6
11
12

15
15
20

71
56
64

40
26

236
252

.305

44
65
85

Other Principal Sources of Supply in
order of importance.

Siam.

7
9

S3
38
46

Dutch Indies, Siam, French Indo-China and
China.

Dutch Indies, Philippines and Sulu.

Dutch Indies.

Hongkong and China.

United Kingdom
Continent
United States

1909.

1910.

1911.

1,000 *'i

26
3-5
3

SO
S
3

35
i
3-5

Straits Settlements — continued.
Table I. — continued.

ArticliM.

▼««»

Unit
of

Total.

United Kingdom
and Britisli
Pooocpeiona.

Other Principal Sources of Supply in

**'• Qoan-

Quantities and

Talnes
in thooianda.

Qnantitiee and

valnes
in thounnds.

order of importance.

Fish, dry and aaltod ...

1909 Cwtfc

1910

1911

Qnan-

titiee.

1,1«4

1.229

1.283

<
1,029
1,114
1,169

QiiAn-

titter.

210

204

i 22S

138 Siam, French Indo-Ohina, Dutch Indies,

111 and HonglcoDg and China.

11*2

Fkh, tnmh

1909
1910
1911

30
34
40

4
17
19

Dutch Indies.

FruiU ...

1909
1910
1911

138
ITS
194

"—

41
68
62

Hongkong and China.

Beans and |WM

1909 1 Owtr
1911

519
S09
46S

101
W
106

46
73
79

20
38
34

Hongkong and China.

Itios. KimkirH and nn*
bnaked.

1909 CwU.

1910

1911

1S.699
IS,066
111,088

4Jl4
4.6J3
6,760

4,094
6.167
7,464

1,884
2.046
8,016

Siam and French Indo-China.

KatiT* liquor

1909 iQallona

1910 i „
1911

so«

101

^^^

—

Hongkong and China, Jaya.

•

Spirit* (exoladiBf
whiaky and naiiv*
Uqoor).

1909
1910
1911

OallMM

696
491
417

167

IS
41

19
93

Brandy from Fiance, gin from Holland.

yflnm ...

1909
1910
1911

Oallona

6«

76
M

46
41

7
94
96

19
16
IS

France and Continent of Europe.

BMfaad ale (excln Jisf
poctar aad atoot).

1M9
1910
1911

OalloM

712
77«

103

120

111
964
994

39 1 Germany and other Continental countries,
97 Japan.
34 1

Milk. OopdiMad and
Btarilted.

1909
1910
1911

OaMi

S6T

218
940
964

19
SS

4
19
91

IfaUr, including Switterland, Germany,
Holland, Xonray.

Ml
4*4

479

—

78
86

1,000 «'i.

United
Kingdom.

United' Oer-
States, i many.

n., Other Con

*•■• tinenUl

«*""♦• Oonntriea.

ProrWoM, iry and
Mlttd. and in tliM,
bottle* and jaia,
(•xeladinr MMuit*.
■ilk Md batter).

1M9
ItlO
I9II

66
63

16
99

19
19
18

7
9
9

14
29

Hoafkong aad China principal sonioes of
supply.

Mlaanl waten

1909 1

1910

1911

•

•
10

1
2

J^»n and the Continent,

Salt

1909 Cwt&
1911

1,317

799

1,082

68
88
62

106
■ 100

8
6

Egypt, Arabia, India and Siam.

fhlfV ^

1909 Cwti.
1910

1.26S
1.902
1.289

779
774
881

ISO

176

60
89
47

JaTa (Honglcong hare included in British
Posjiiiionj).

Ts.

1909 Owti.

1910 „
1>"

64
64

189
194
949

6
7
8

China and Hongkong, Japan.

Tobaooo

1909 Oirta.

1910

1911

138
140
144

629
660
66S

18
21
18

109
101

China and Honglcong. Java and Sumatra.

^""^

1909 1

1910

1911

174
179
223

—

24
92

JaTa and China.

Bran

1909 Cwti.

1910

1911 1 „

1,166
1.067
1,298

908
181
247

494

476
691

126

Siam, French Indo-Chint.

WkMt floor ...

1909
1910
1911

Owti.

640
668

713

380
S21
392

140
226
403

86
129
208

Hongkong and United States. A ixirtion of
the Honglumg supplies not here included
in British Possessions, estimated in 1911
at 8,000 owts., was from Australia, the
balance from America.

Lard

1909 Owti.

1910

1911

69
69

124

131
172

—

Hongkong and China. French Indo-China
and small imports from United States of
America.

Straits Settlements — cuntinued.

G. Mannjachired and Partly Manufarttired Goods. — It may be interesting to show
the value in thousands of pounds sterling of imports of all classes of (joods from Europe
and America, excluding only the raw materials, coal and petroleum, in 1891, 1901, 1911,
and also in 1909 and 1910.

Almost without exception goods from Europe and America have undergone some
process of manufacture howevei' slight, though classed as foodstuffs and drinks, &c.,
in the trade returns here.

1891.

1901.

1909.

I'JIO.

1911.

1,000 je's.

From United Kingdom

„ Continent of Europe ...

„ United States '

2,387

965

2,839

1,562

3,657

1,543

317

4,469

1,887

399

4,654

2,010

359

United Kingdom excess over Continental
and United States imports.

1,410

1,185

1,797

2,183

2,285

The Continental countries detailed

show as :

bllows in

thousand'

< of nounc

s sterlintr

for the last three years : —

Austria-Hungary

Belgium

Denmark

France

Germany

Italy

Netherlands...

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Norway

1909.

1910.

1911.

1,000 £'8.

133

187

186

523

252

223

154
279
9
224
632
310
241
7

181

285

223

718

317

225

The goods imported classed as manufactured and partly manufactured (excluding
all foodstuffs, liquors and raw materials) valued ii6,7 18,000 in 1909, £8,157,000 in 1910,
and in 1911 ;E8,623,000 or about 20 per cent, of the total imports in that year.

The following shows the ajiproximate totals of the class according to sources of
supply :—

1909.

1910.

1911.

1,000 £'s.

From

United Kingdom ...
British Possessions
Hongkong.

Total British ...

excluding
including

£
3,133

822

Per cent,
or 46-6
or 12-2

£
3,769
963

Per ceijt. i
or 46-2
or 11-8

3,890
1,055

Pt
or
or

r cent.
45-1
12-2

»»

3,955
2,763

or
or

58-8
41-1

4,732
3,425

or
or

58 '
42

4,945
3,678

or
or

57-3

Foreign Countries
Hongkong.

British excess ...

42-7

1.192

17-7

1,307

1,267

14-6

It is to be kept in view that under Foreign Countries and British Possessit>ns
come articles, some of them of purely and others largely of Asiatic origin.

British import values of goods predominate in the following articles : —

Textiles. — Canvas, cotton piece goods, yarns, sewing thread, cotton handkerchiefs,

coir rope, manilla rope, jute gunnies, hats and caps, silk thread, woollen cloth, woollen

blankets, twine, unenumerated textiles.

Straits Settlements — conHmied.

Metals : — Arms, electrical machinery, engines, boilers and parts, other machinery
unenumerated, sewing machines, anchors and chains, brassware, cycles, motor cars and
accessories, iron bar and nail rod, comigatetl iron, ironware, sheet lead, lead ware, steel
manufactures, tin plates, tinware, tools, instruments and implements, wire rope, yellow
metal sheathing, zincware, manufactured metals unenumerated, gas materials, telegraph
and telephone materials, tramway and railway materials.

Miscellaneous : — Detonattirs and fuse, dynamite, gunpowder, books and maps, bricks
and tiles, candles, cement, chemicals, coke, toys, games and fancy goods, glass bottles,
boots and shoes, saddlery, oilman's sundries, paints, photographic materials, soap and
soda, stationery and tar.

Foreign import values predominate in the following articles chiefly for the reasons
given, but for particulars, see Appendix : —

Hosiery and haberdashery with small wares (lower prices, greater adaptation, want
of ent^^rprise or effort), towels (lower prices), cotton blankets (lower prices, greater
adaptation), W(X)llen8 of sorts, excluding woollen cloth (greater adaptation), cooking
ntensils (lower prices, greater adaptation), hardware (lower prices, greater adaptation),
hoop iron (lower prices), wire nails (want of enterprise or effort), zinc sheathing
(lower prices and want of effort), beads (want of enterprise or effort), cabinetware
and woodenware (greater adaptation), clocks and watches (lower prices), earthenware and
crockery (lower prices), glass and glassware, excluding bottles (lower prices), india-rubber
goods (lower prices), synthetic indigo and aniline dyes (want of enterprise or effort),
lamps and lampware (lower prices, greater adaptation), musical instruments (lower prices,
want of enterprise or effort), paper (lower prices, greater adaptation), perfumery (lower
prices, greater adaptation), roofing and building materials (want of enterprise or effort),
cinematograph materials (want of enterprise or effort), and the Asiatic predominating
foreign articles — silk piece goods, umbrellas, copjwrware, bamboo and rattan ware,
jinrickshas, Japanware, fireworks, joss sticks and joss paper, matches, mats and mattings,
these being more adapted to local requirements.

Straits Settlem"ents — continued.

t3
fi
cS

&
!z!

-< OB

Ci-I PS

o t>

^ o
bccc
fl

■■S w

2 o

C
S

H
H

-a

05
O

fin

!Z5
CS

I— I

ft.

OS
be 5

«« 1 1 I

1 1 1

*? 1

1 II

i-i 1 1 1

1 1 1

1 i 1

1 1 1

"-5

^0» M

T**

1 1 1

« M CT

i 1 1

•* CO-*

ii f 1 1

Ca 1 IN

1 1 1

Hongkong

and

China.

^ CO CO m

»-< 1 *-«

22§

» eq 1

1 1 1

-1« I*- 00

§1 1 1 1

•* 1 eo

1 1 1

United

States

America.

=« I 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 !

«-* ^

•* -^ iO

Oi la

ii 1 1 1

1 1 1

t* 00 OS

1 1 1

c,j -«-

1 1 1

ip to

1 1 1

IC lO

■ 1 ■

ii 1 1 1

1 1 1

C4{ o 00 ec

IN «
I ■ ■

ec •* t-

to ■* lO
^ « (N

IM '^\

CO t- CO

a S

g-c 1 1 1

1^^

i 1 1

1 1 1

m * ^

1 1 1

eit « ec CO

CO OS U3

CO CO CO

t* <N (N

(-1 .— 1

1 1 1

^ CO

«.S 1 1 1
S'+3 1 1 1
0-43

2S§ 1 1 i

1 1 1

«4( •*«< GSi O

III 111

1 1 1

11 1 1 II 1

P— ( ^H ^^

1 1 1

§1 1 1 1

1 1 1

I 1 1

s
•a
1

th ep

iO CC t>

lO M CS

^ CO C<l

rt « o

00 OS IT-

OO '-O

S'l 1 1 1

1 1 1

-f in CO

1 1 1

M -* CO

o ^ <o

N « r-l

tO
lO CO ■*

1 1 1

a
1

^ N tX t~

III CO iO «D

CO lO t*

o co^

CO CO CO

1 1 ■

I22S

■ 1 1

IN CO ^

to t> o

0 J?

§r 1 1 1

1 1 1

lO »o ■*

CO lO to

1 1 1

1 1 '

SS?

■ 1 1

! 1 1

1 1 1

CO .?;

C4j 00 « eo

»ft »o ^

i 1 1

1 1 1

tp la

1 1 1

1 1 I

C< -*« -* CO CD

n in
§•1111

1 1 1

1 1 !

1 1 1

^ N t- CO

« ec CO

(O IM CS

CO lo in

t^ -^ •*

CO lO »o

CO ta

CS -»t* f-<

1 1 1

CO 00 t-

^ rt (N

•

II 1 1 1

1 1 1

00 t* O

to m to

1 1 1

-^ b^

>*< l>- N

00 -^f »p

1 1 1

CM) '*«£!«

^ »« CO O

CC •* U3

CO »0 rH

C^ N CO

N ^ .-H

(N -* ^ CO t^ tM

CO ■* 50 ( O (-- CO

1 -^-^

^ »0 CO

-t* »0 CO

O OJ OS

00 o »o

O 00 CO
t- QOO

ii 1 1 1

1 1 1

CO CO o

-w ■* o

« W (N

1 1 1

« lO -«**

M* lO 1-t
CO CO t"

ts. CO CO

1 1 1

Unit

of
Quan-
tity.

2 ^ -.

fc -

C5 Oi 35
ri r- 1 1— <

Oi o •-•

0> C3 o>

ssn

§2::;

C5 Ci 0>

Oi O —i

Oi Oi o
r-H ^ r-(

OS O ^

OS 5 Ol

OS O "-1
OS OS OS

as o -H

0> 05 C5

C! O ^

OS o S

rl »-l rH

OS O --H
o •— — <

CS CI OS

1 1
111

P-4

O
«

■a

1
u

•

a
S

i
■s

1 1

1 1 1

i I

1 1

1 1-

1 1 1

1 1

1 1 1

1 1

1 1 1

III ill

1 1

I I

1 1 1

*2S

III ill

I I

S8S

I I I

I ! I

I I

sss

1 1

«2 =

I i I 1 1 i

1 1

I i

I I

1 1

1 1 1

fc-M

I II

I I I

I I

S2R

I I

I I I

>0-"

Straits Settlements — contimted.
Ill III I I I I III III I I I

I I

I I I

I I

ei« o «••»-

I I I

I I

I I I

I I

I I I

I I

I I-

1 I

mSm

1 1 I

1 1 1

ill 1 1 1

1 1

1 1 1

1 1

I II

1 1

1 1 1

l- =

ft 9k »

« w 3

1 1

1 1 1

!2 =

» 9* 0k

I I

I i I

I I

I I I

I I I I I III
I I

I f

I I

>0 (Q Vd

I I

III I U

I I

2 = : I I

I I

I I I

I I

) I

III III

I I I

I i

I I

« -t-^ •« to 9k

II III

I I

I I i

I i I

I i

I I

\ I

I I

I I I

I I

r:S|

1 1 1

!2 =

t 0» A

20 —

^ A 0>

I I

3
a.

2
s

lis

I
E

1 I

{■0

• •3

J' J

a
S s

D 9

•o a

s »

of?

-§l

.ag

awn

Straits iJETTLEMEUTS — continued.

.'J

.«

t— 1

1— 1

sg"

>-)

•9^

French
Indo-China,

=« 1 1 I

1 1 I

1 1 1

-*•*<:■*<

ii 1 1 1

1 1 1

«« 1 1 1

^gs

1 1 1

U 1 1 1

-f t£^ c<»

(N CC 0

1 1 1

III III

•« 1 1 r

1 1 1

^-1 ^ 10

^ eo «*

CO CO CO

S-^ 1 1 1
as

1 1 1

eil U» (M CO

■^ -^ <D
<M -^ (O

1 1 1

CO 1(5 10

00 -■*< 00
ri 1?^ iM

CO 0 00
<o t^ ■*

CO -»« to

ill II

'c?si

1 1 1

oo (N M
t* CO b-

1 1 1

Hongkong

and

China.

"^ ^ .-« ^

CD <M (N

Ci 00 Oi
^ 74 <M

«o ^ M

:c 00 00
IM C-l (N

CO CO 00

0 0 CO

t- eo to

-N C^ IN

-* »o 1-
« b^ 00

a X

S-l II 1

■* t^ -^

t> CO 00

I-) (N «

1 1 1

1 i 1

(N rH (M

1 1 1

1 i 1

United

States

America.

=« 1 1 1

1 1 1

III

N 10

1 1 1

g-J 1 1 1

1 1 r

1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 11

Other
Continental
Countries.

=« 1 1!

CO t^ r^

1 1 1

111 1 1 1

0 s

g-J 1 1 1

in cc CO

1 I 1

1 1 1

e^ CO <» CO

M* 13 -f

1 1 1

11 1

1 1 1

a 00

§•1111

cc ec c^

1 1 1

=«. 1 1 1

1 1 1

10 w 00 III

1 1 1

§■^111

1 1 1

»o

(N ^ CO

1 1 1

=« 1 1 1

1-t ■-* ec

CO tM CO

o> t^

1 1-"

1 1 1

CO -*- -f

1 1 1

ii 1 11

F-H iO -'f

III III

1 1 1

,m|m,

1 1 1

I 1 1

^a
■3 1'

54J -<** 0 CO

(N 0 m

'<t« CO ^

CO t- in

1 1 1

»o

r ■

ii II 1

cC ■* f^

1 1 1

1 1 I

1 1 1

H a

^ »0 50 to

CO »0 CO
50 00 !M
N CO-*

«> i-H 10
^ N (N

-* 0» 00

00 0 CO
N CO CO

CO -+< TO
^ W (M

CO CO oo

0 0 CO

f-H »0 (M

00 QO to

CO t- '^

!C 0 r-

>o « Cl

«o t* oc

g-l 1 1 1

to CO «x> III
cc <x> eo III

(N CO '^ 1

1 1 1

CO CO QO
CO 00 I-

1 1 1

Unit
of

Quan-
tity.

3 "

OS 0 --

§ 5 5

OS 0 ^
0 1— « •— 1

05 OS 0>

Oi 0 ^
01 OS ff.

01 0 ^

0 ■-' rH

OS c: OS

§2d

OS OS OS

OS 0* CI

§2=:

OS 01 OS

0- 0 r^

Oi 01 OS

OS C: OS

§2=:

OS OS OS

1 .— . .— .

1
s

•
IN

l°2

lis.

§=■2 5
.3 a 0

£
a

a
a
<u
a

■o

a
ta

0
»—*

"t-J

OS*

APPENDIX 1.

(A.) Gbkbbal Rbmarks. — It will generally be found that the Continental articled which
compete in the markets of the United Kingdom with British, are the same class as meet with saccess
in this market, only the qaalities are, where possible, inferior to suit Eastern requirements and the
pocketa of the comparatively poorer populations of Asiatic countries.

In leading staples, foreign competition is nut of much iiccount, but in the numerous miscellaneous
articles which are capable of novelty in design and finish, and where quality is not of the first
consideration, the Continent especially leads.

Perhaps it is not to be expected of British manufacturers to produce a class of goods of such
inferior makes as to endanirer the commercial reputation of their leading productions, but it is this
clan, showy, attractive and cheap more than enduring, that meets native requirements. Even in the
more prosperous ranks of the Chinese and native populations it is often considered foolish to purchase
■ay expensive glaasMrare, belta, crockery, or cooking utensils which are to be roughly handled and
carelessly preserved, when there can be purchased several new, equally useful articles of the same
kind, for the amount that would have to be paid for one. ,

Tet the tendency to buy a superior article is becoming obvious and some of the lowest grades
■n DOW left annotice<l, thin being especially seen in body and neck wear.

Japanese productions, excf pt in towela, glass and brushware, as well as caps and a few makes of
singlets, all at prices unapproachable by Enro]>ean manufacturers, are not in favour, and sell only to
the poorest classss to whom price is everything.

I baTe never heard it disputed that all classes of natives and Chinese much prefer British goods,
and are even willing to pay a little more for these, but the Continent and Japan send goods to
this market with Ensrlish ItHterings and marks, the country uf production being conspicuous by its
absence, which frequently misleads the buyer though well known to the dealer who has purchased
from the importing firms.

These dealers are anxious to have goods appear of British make, and the foreign manufacturers
meet them as Cur as possible.

I am of opinion, and this is shared in by others who have knowledge and experience in the
naarket, that all goods which are capable of being sold singly and which would not lose in utiKty or
appearance should have on them in English the country of production whether British or foreign.

I was ezceedini^ly surprised to find that there is still complaint at the conservative attitude
adopted by many British manufacturers who decline to alter their designs, colourings and sizes
at the request of importers here, stoutly maintaining that experience has shown the goods they
have produce<l for so many years are the most suitable for the peoples of whose habits and tastes
they know little.

The large British firms here with well established lines who are also exporters of produce, do not
n-quire to shew the same anxiety to provide new attractions for the bazaar as the small import firms,
and I partly attribute the extension of Continental trade to the number of small importers, mostly
foreign, bat cannot say that foreign goods would be favoured by them if British goods equally
attractive as regards design and price were available. In fact they must supply market demands,
and they will go where the prices are lowest.

Some of the large British firms here look askance at Continental goods, and will not take these up
if they can get British agencies, and, likewise, one or two of the larger foreign houses prefer to stock
foreign goods. Japanese merchants, however, confine their custom to their own country's manu-
faeturea, and at intervals Japanese goods, hitherto not imported, are sent down to see how they will
be receired.

British manufacturers are not represented at all in certain goods, and some of these I will
comment on later. In other cases they seem to make no effort to compete, sometimes because
manufacturers will not at first make a stand and incur some loss in warding off a foreign article
which has been cu^ down to secure the market, prices being gradually raised after the elimination
of the British competition, but more generally the reason is they will not manufacture the low
grades desired.

Credit is a question of some importance, and Continental firms are less strict in extending the
periods of payment and delivery, resulting in heavy losses in times of stress. The larger British
houses give from two to three months credit, while it is not uncommon for foreign firms to extend
credits for much longer periods.

By nearly every mail foreign price lists, accompanied where possible by a wide range of samples,
showing prices c.i.f., are received by firms here, so that importers can see at a glance the actual goods
and cost laid down in Singapore — so great a convenience that it undoubtedly leads to trade.

The great commercial waterways of northern Europe no doubt facilitate and cheapen the export
trade, placing the British manufacturers nf the Midlands and places far removed from the principal
seaports at a distinct disadvantage in competing for the export trade, especially in the heavier and
more bulky classes of goods.

3W77 F2

Straits Settlkments — continued.

(B.) Detailed Observations. — The following commentB refer to goods sold in the native
market and not to those retailed in the large European stores and shops which are mainly British
productions : —

1. Apparel, Hosiery, Millinery, Drapery and Haberdashery are classes of much importance,
aggregating a value of over half a million pounds sterling.

German productions are largely singlets, socks, belts and numerous smallwares. The German
singlet has always monopolised the market, except in the very cheapest description, which are
Japanese. There is nothing to touch them in the quality and finish at a like price. In fact, the
whole structure from beginning to end is attractive at a price averaging 9s. to 12s. a dozen. The
British imports are for the restricted European market and are not seen in the bazaar, though some
of this class finds its waj- into Penang for export, chiefly to Rangoon.

Japanese supplies, direct and through Hongkong, appeal only to the poorest class of native, but
there has recently appeared quite a well-finished article which gives some promise of success.

Socks are chiefly German and cheaper than British, Japan cutting in with fancy designs at prices
as low as 2.s. bd. a dozen.

There is, however, at present in this business a growing demand for cheap cashmere and thin
woollen socks of British make.

Belts represent a large trade as every native and Chinese wear these, the tendency now being to
imjiort from the Continent the elastic webbing and buckles for local make up, and as the mother
country has had the business in elastic belts and Germany in woven web there seems no apparent
reason for this growing trade being lost to the United Kingdom since it has proved itself able to meet
all competition in the finished article.

A movement is observable to use braces instead of belts, and these of fancy designs are coming
from the Continent.

Another new demand by the Chinese is for collars, which are supplied from the United Kingdom,
but Germany is moving to try for the trade at lower rates.

Buttons of acceptable fancy designs are low-priced German or Austrian ; metal, bone and linen
for making up purposes being generally British. French pearl buttons are giving place to Japanese,
who manufacture these from trocas shells.

Needles in cases are generally of British and German makes, but packets, of which there are
enormous sales, are entirely from the Continent.

Drapery of a miscellaneous description is of British manufacture.

There is no trade to speak of in ready-made clothing outside Chinese coats and trousers via
Hongkong, which is a dwindling import.

Although hats and caps form a class in the total of which British goods predominate in value,
over 1)0 per cent, of the imports of soft felts are of Italian make, meeting with a little competition
from Japan with descriptions in English. British manufacturers have largely lost the trade owing
to the refusal to engage in cutting rates for a time.

Turkish Fez caps are from Austria. All other hats, including helmets, straws and caps, are from
the United Kingdom, except pith sun topees, which are from Calcutta ; and Japan has captured the
market in cheap imitation Panamas.

In all these articles enumerated above, price and get-up are the two factors, but principally price,
that militate against British goods.

2. Towels and Napery. — This is a comparatively new class heading, formerly having been
included under 1.

Japan monopolises the market in towels, producing these at one-third the price of European
makes, and though the quality is poorer this is not so marked as to explain anything like the great
difference in cost.

Napery is from the United Kingdom, being a special line appealing only to the richer classes.

3. Cotton Blankets. — The days of the old wick blankets, which were entirely British, have gone,
and coloured articles chiefly of Dutch manufacture are in favour, selling at 18s. id. to 21s. per corge
of 20 pieces, but it is probable that customs regulations in the once free port of Macassar and the
Celebes have given a fillip to the Dutch article which can afEord to sell cheaper here in consequence
of the profitable trade done there.

English rugs or shawls with fringes are now coming into vogue, displacing blankets, and
manufacturers should study this market.

4 and 5. Hardware, Cooking Utensils, Tools, Instruments and Impleinents, Ironware, and
Steel. — Angles, tees, girders, iron rollers, joists, beams, stanchions, pillars and structural works, &c.,
are included under ironware or steel, and it is necessary to show, according to countries of supply,
the European classes which are likely to overlap : —

United
Kingdom.

Germany.

Belgium.

Austria.

Nether-
land:?.

United
France. States of
America.

Articles.

1,000 &'b.

1909.

Hardware

Cooking utensils

Tools, instrument* and implements .

Ironware

Steel

37 •

—

170

•8

—

3-5
2

Straits Settlements — continued.

Articica

kSS..^— y-

I Vofkor ' I United

Belgium. I Austria. I .f!^ ' France. ' States of
t I America.

1,000 £'a.

1910.

Hardware

Cooking ntensils

TooU, instnuneiitB and implements .

Ironware

Steel

Hardwww

CocUBir ntonril*

TooU, inftmmenta and implements .

Ironware

Steel

TotaU— 1909 ...

1910 ...

1911 ...

1-5

3-6

—

1911.

238

S96
S91

1-5

—

84-5

1-6

1-5

12
12

7-6
28
19

Pocket kiiivpB an- Ull per cent. German, fancy handled and easy opening designs finding favour.

lijizurx are almj <>erman, bnt the trade in this article is losing ground owing to the Chinese
growing their hair in Knropean fashion.

Tapping and pruning knives, saws, files and edge tools are fairly divided between British and
Continental makes.

Sciasors are bronght from America in good finish and apparently fair material at from 'is. to
4a. 6d. a dozen, bnt hair clippers is a Continental trade and this is growing.

Shovels and changkol or hoe heeds are British. In axe heads, however, American are preferred,
being a superior article, and German makers imitate " Yankee " axe heads.

Bnishware of the best is English, bnt Germany and Austria are most in evidence, though Japan
is now ousting these, and more British are also coming in.

Padlocks of white iron and brass and the best brass locks are generally British. Imitation
German brass locks with English lettering and marks such as " Royal Letters Patent, &c." as well as
cheap iron are largely sold, but the latter class of padlocks are losing ground, American coming in
with much better qualities at lower than English prices.

Enamelufare, much of which comes under cooking utensils, of the lightest descriptions are
Austrian, German and Dutch, British productions being generally confined to heavy cooking pots
with white enamel. The great trade is in saucepans, bowls, fry pans, dinner sets, jugs and basins, &c.
of thin metal, bright coloured enamel, frequently Uowered and chequered, which it is stated require
poisonous chemiods in their prefinration, against which there may be restrictions in the United
kingdom. The United Kingdom dtjes not touch this class of trade.

Bail pots or saucepans with round wire handles of thin metal for native use is almost entirely
foreign, comparing with the heavy cast-iron pots of Wolverhampton and West Bromwich unfavourably
as regards quality bui much cheaper. Probably British makers do not care to cater for the class.

Continental rice bowls — rouiih thin semi-circular cast-iron pans with two handles — cost siices
2 to fi inches, c.i.f., about £10 '.U. 2d. per cask of ."iO piiH-es, and 8 to 12 inches £7 3«. bd. or 20 per cent,
cheaper than (English founders are prepared to quote.

Ironware. The heavy goods enumerated are nearly all British with a little from Belgium and
Germany.

Under this head come bedsteads which are of Birmingham make exclusively, but, the Federation
having just raised prices more than the increased cost of the raw material or increaised wages seem
to warrant, trial orders are now being given to Continental manufacturers.

Lawn mowers, weighing machines and copying presses are English or American, and galvanised
buckets entirely British.

l>arbed wire is cheaper from Belgium and .\nstria, and now America is making a bid for the
trade, of which an important featun^ is ])acking, the bulkier reels being the better for native tastes.

Hafes of Austrian make are pouring into the market. These are got up with fancy tops, single
doors, straight bar handles, novel locks and wooden stands and are much cheaper though not so good
as British safes. They are said to be both fire and burglar proof, bnt though the evidence of this is
wanting, appearance carries all before it for native demands.

6. Hoop Iron is another Belgian article, the thin hoops for packing cases are quoted at home at
£7 to £7 2s. per ton while British — a superior metal and of more substantial finish — was £8 5*. on
same date. Belgian bar iron was quoted £5 Ihs. to £6 and Scotch bar £7 15s. to £8.

7. Wire Nails. — Although some wire nails are credited to the United Kingdom I am informed
these are nearly all American. Belgian, German and Austrian wire nails sizes 0 to 7 costing 8m. to
is. .V. at the rat<> of 112 lbs. per keg are now losing ground before American nails of a distinctly
superior quality though slightly dearer.

In these goods kegs have fallen to 1)0 IIjh. weight in answer to unscrupulous demands. England
has never entered the market, which was originally American.

8. Zinc Sheathinff is entirely a Belgian trade, the cost of standard qtiality at time of writing being
kbont £30 per ton.

9. Beads. — This with spangles and gold and silver thread is a fancy trade such as the Continent
■•oms to defy competition in.

4(5

Stkaits Setilem knts — continued.

10. Gabinetware. — There is a large business done locally in teak and hard woods, Shanghai
wirvers being employed, so that it is principally iittings and mirrors that describe the class, except in
the case of Austria, which sends the well known bentwood furniture highly popular and largely
selling among all classes.

Mirrors are principally from Holland and pictures and mouldings from Germany.
Ice chests and refrigerators are imported from America.

11. Clocks and Watches. — Clocks for offices and warehouses are either American, Japanese or
German, while over 90 per cent, of the watches are Swiss, all at prices that cannot be touched by
British makers.

12. Earthenware and Crockery. — The cheapest and roughest class of crockery comes from
China (cups, saucers, bowls and plates), besides large quantities of bathing jars in blue enamel and
fancy outer designs and eai-then pots and jars at low prices.

European cups, saucers and plates are low-priced German, but plates from England are now
being imported in larger quantities in response to the demand for slightly superior qualities.

A quarter of the total United Kingdom import values was earthenware drain pipe.s, &c., of which
not much is received from the Continent.

13. Glass and Olasswa.re. — Bottles for aerated waters and druggists, &c., are from the United
Kingdom almost entirely, the value in 1911 reaching over £13,000, compared with a little over
£1,000 value from the Continent, but Japan sends water bottles and decanters to the value of
nearly £12,000.

Window glass is of Belgian make, also lamp chimneys, which represent a considerable business,
while Germany sends cheap glass lamps, probably often declared as glassware. The Continental
trade is beiijg cut into by Japan, which sells goods comparing favourably with the cheapest German
makes as low as Id. a dozen for half -pint tumblers, and others in proportion.

The fancy class of vases and flower holders are mainly Austrian.

The same reason, viz., price, curtails sales of English glassware, which is bought only by the
European and richest, class of Chinese.

14. India Rubber Goods comprise not only tyres for cars, carriages and rickshas, but rubber
soled shoes which sell largely here, and heel pads as well as toys, piping and rubber belting, &c.

There is a local factory producing all kinds of rubber goods and exporting some to Europe.

Some tyres, nearly all shoes, and toys are Continental, the great trade being in Austrian shoes of
grey cloth and hard rubber soles, which however are going out in favour of white and grey canvas,
soft and hard rubber soled shoes of British make.

Japan sends tyres for jinrickshas and also tyres for cycles and cars, manufactured there by a
British company.

15. Lamps and Laminvare. — The Continent, especially Germany, has always controlled the
market in this class of goods. The prices are low and the designs fancy, while the quality of the
better classes of hanging lamps with central draught are on the whole good. Brass hanging lamps,
except those of one English maker, are nearly all German, and the prices much cheaper, but it is
gratifying to see British manufacturers are now making a bold attempt to push brass and iron
lamps of qualities a little better than the foreign and not much different in price.

Glass lamps are also German, sold at such prices as British manufacturers would not care
to touch.

16. Leatherware (excluding Boots and Shoes, Saddlery and Haimess). — While boots and shoes are
entirely British, it appears strange that polished leather for uppers, imported on behalf of Chinese
shoemakers, who do a large business, is entirely from the Continent, American efforts to compete not
meeting with success, but Australian material is coming in. American hoods for carriages are on
the increase.

17. Musical Instruments and Accessories. — This is a business where the United Kingdom import
figures include Continental and American goods.

Except in pianos British manufacturers do not count.

The trade in gramophones and records — an enormous business — is done with German and
American makers, while accordions, musical boxes and mouth organs are of Continental origin.

America also sends organs.

The United Kingdom has never done the trade, which even in the home market is, I believe,
largely foreign.

18. Perfumery and Cosmetics. — The best class of perfumery and cosmetics is French and British,
but the cheaper kinds are Continental and Japanese. Continued attention has to be paid to get up,
and complaints are made that those engaged in the trade in the United Kingdom are slow to give
effect to suggestions from this end, which they are compelled to do after they see they are not getting
their proportionate share of the market — a very large one in this place.

19. Paper and Paperware and Stationery. — Paper and paperware is a class that in European
imports is doubtless not always carefully discriminated from stationery.

The value of imports in both classes shows from Europe and America as follows : —

Years.

United
Kingdom.

Germany. Belgium.

Holland.

Austria.

France.

1,000 £'b.

United
States of
America.

1909

8.5

1-3

1910 .

5-S

2-.T

1911

11.

1-7

2-6

From China, coarse packing paper comes in large quantities, paper artificial flowers, &c.
English foolscap and writing paper and envelopes, as well as packing paper, rule the market,
followed by cheap Austrian.

Straits Settlements — continued.

This is a class of goods in which the very inferior qnalitieB are not favotired.

Printing paper is largely Austrian in all but the best qualities, and strawhoard Japanese,
but English printing paper is becoming more largely nsed.

The cheapest pencils are Japanese, the best American, while Germany has the largest sales in this
and paper bindings.

School stationery, including exercise books, pencils and slates, are practically all Austrian and
Crerman ; ink, however, of a well-known British make is much preferred to the cheap Belgian
imports.

The well printed ofBce ledgers and journals are practically all British, as well as the best class of
pocket-books, diaries, &c.

20. Roofing and Building Materials. — This is a comparatively new class, and several kinds of
preparations of asbestos, sawdust, and other materials are used to prepare the various kinds that go
under different fancy names ; the trade seems to be on the increase.

Rbharks on Competition in certain Goods.

Motor Cars and Cycles. — Up to the end of 1911 the United Kingdom had much the largest share
of the motor car business, but makers have apparently not made a special study of the requirements
of the majority using cars, with the result that the Unite<l States is now sending cars of several makes,
one eepecially (Ford), which is fast gaining favour owing to its cheapness and lightness, which means
greater economy. A five-seated car of this sort is retailed at £195 8s. t'x/., and a three-seated at El?."),
the weight being only a little over one-half a British car of the same seating capacity weighing a ton
and costing £40U and £350 respectively.

Replacements are easy in the case of American cars, a crank shaft for instance being got for £3,
a British article costing three or four times more.

The American car is rongber and machined np only where required in the bearings, while the
British car is largely hand done, heavy and substantial. «

What is required here and in the Federated Malay States is a car of light structure, low priced,
and parts easy to replace at reasonable cost.

Motor cycles are nearly all British, and ordinary cycles entirely so, no others being looked at

Iron and Steel Ooods of Heavy Material. — Regarding the trade in steel and iron of the heavier
description there is exhibited a tendency to purchase from Belgium mild steel sections in larger
quantities becaose these are cheaper and delivery has lately been quicker than from the United
Kingdom, where the delay owing to the unsettled state of affairs between capital and labour has
militated against despatch. It is found in constructional metal, however, which has to be, worked up
here, that Continental iron is more brittle and less easy to manipulate.

The difference in freights, if any, is now slight.

Photo and Citiematograph Materials. — The trade in photographic materials is British, except in
Inferior monnts sent from Germany which British manufacturers will not touch as the class of article
would not be looked at in Europe.

Cheap rough cameras of Chinese make at less than a third European prices have been seen in the
market, but do not promise any increase.

Cinematograph films, kc, are French only, no efforts apparently being made to do a British trade.

Cotton OojdK. — Sarongs, slendangs, and kaina are a large business, and it is alleged that in these
and also in muslin prints British mannfactorers will not pay sufficient attention to suggestions
from this side.

There are classes of Dutch cambrics and black Italians that English manu&cturers and dyers
cannot touch, but Manchester goods more than hold their own over the whole class.

ChemicaU. — While disinfectants are British, acids such as acetic used for rubber coagulation,
snlphuric acid and acids for dyeing are from the Continent and Japan, Australia also coming in.

Huhber Cups. — There has sprung np a business in cups of metal, glass and porcelain for the
collection of the latex of the Para rubber tree, and Japan is rapidly taking front rank in porcelain and
gUas cops, beautifully finished, without that roughness inside which characterises the same class of
British porcelain, and in much superior packing, while the price is nearly 10 per cent, lower.

Woollens. — The United Kingdom keeps a hold on this trade but Germany leads in a class of cheap
fancy tweeds of mixed materials or nnions, and also sends a large quantity of Berlin wool, shawls, &c.

The finest cloths are English, chiefly Bradford and West of England.

The whole trade is expanding ax the following figures, which include woollens and mixed goods
(except blankets, which are entirely British), shew: —

Yeu*.

I90»
1910
1»I1

United
Kingdom.

17
45
SS

Oermany.

1,000 «'■.

13
33

Other parts of
the Continent.

7
IS

BRITISH GUIANA.

Customs Department,

Georgetown, DEMEUAnA.
Sir, _ 9th August, 1912.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledire receipt of your letter of the 6th June relative
to the present position of British Trade in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, and
the means by which that trade may be developed in the future.

2. In the letter above mentioned you desired me to furnish you with certain
information with regard to the trade of the Colony with a view to the vitaUzation of
inter-empire trade.

3. I beg to enclose a statement (Appendix I) shewing the imports of the principal
classes of articles imported into the Colony during the last three trade years, larger
quantities of which are received from foreign sources than from British sources, together
with the quantities received from each principal country of origin.

Manufactures, other than Textiles.

4. With regard to the list of manufactured goods contained in the attached
statement, I beg to point out that it is not as complete as I would have liked, and for the
following reason. There are numerous grades of articles, chiefly textiles, which are
mainly secured from foreign sources, and which have no distinctive head in our statistical
accounts, being classed under a comprehensive head such as " Linen, Cotton, and Woollen
Goods," and consequently no data are available to shew the quantity or value of such
goods imported from (a) British territory, and (6) foreign countries. 1 shall first deal
with the manufactured articles in the list attached, and shall return to the question of
textiles later. The manufactured articles in the list which are mainly obtained from non-
British sources are as follows : blue, cement, matches, shooks, medicinal preparations
(unofficial), motor cars, lamps and lanterns, paper and paper manufactures, machinery
and wire for electric lighting, and sewing machines.

5. The imports of blue into this Colony are unimportant, but Germany furnishes
about 70 per cent, of the total quantity imported. The United States and Denmark
collectively supply larger quantities of cement than the United Kingdom. The two
former countries have been making headway in supplying cement, the article furnished
by them being less expensive than the cement made in the mother country. The
countries of origin of imported matches are chiefly Norway and Sweden, where suitable
woods and cheap labour place these countries in a pre-eminently favom*able position for the
economic production of matches. There are two match factories in the Colony which are
highly protected, the Customs duty on imported matches being 111 per cent, greater than
the excise duty on the locally produced article, but the foreign match can be landed here
so cheaply, that even with substantial protection the local factories cannot do more than
appropriate a portion of the local trade in matches, and neither of the factories does any
export trade.

6. Shooks, principally of oak for making rum casks, are chiefly got from the
United States, where supplies of suitable woods are more abundant than in the United
Kingdom or any other part of the British Empire conveniently situated geographically to
this Colony. The cost in the United States is rising rapidly and other sources of supply
are badly wanted.

7. The United States supply the Colony with the major portion of patent and
proprietary medicinal preparations.

8. The lamps and lanterns which come from the United States are of a cheap class
made to sell among the lower classes. Donkey carts are a common means of transport
with the masses and by regulation all such carts must carry a light between sunset and
sunrise, and a lantern made in the United States called the " Dietz " is in great demand,
because of its cheapness. The United Kingdom furnishes most of the finer classes of
writing, printing and account book papers, but there is a class of straw paper largely used
by small shopkeepers, which has during the past financial year (ended March 31st, 1912)
been coming entirely from Holland. I enclose a sample oi the paper which is of the
cheapest kind obtainable.*

• See note on next page.

British Guiana — cont.

9. Greater quantities of niachinerij and icire for electric lighting come from the
United States than from tlie United Kingdom. The Electric Light Company in
Georgetown was created and is maintained by Canadian capital, and it is possible that
purchases of their electric light plant are made in the States as a matter of convenience,
especially as there is a \'aried and cheap supply of such articles to select from in that
country. It may be, however, that some of such articles are of Canadian origin, but,
being consigned through New York, may be credited in the Customs Statistics to the
United States. It is very difficult, and in fact impossible, to get absolutely correct
information at all times with respect to countries of origin, and the statistics of this Colony
from the commencement of the financial year 1912-13 are being kept according to the
countries of consignment. Supplies of sewing machines come mainly from the United
States, Germany has also been making headway lately, the machines supplied by the
Germans being cheaper than either the American or British makes.

10. A greater number of motor cars are imported from the United States than from
British sources, but the American cars are considerably cheaper on the average than the
British cars, which are generally too heavy for a flat country like this. The two principal
makes imjwrted here are manufactured in Detroit, U.S.A., and as the companies making
these are wealthy and well organized it will not be an easy matter to successfully compete
with them in the matter of cheap cars in the West Indian markets.

Te-xtiles, Etc.

11. 1 enclose samples* of certain classes of textiles which are procured from foreign
countries, but the annual import quantities and values of the various classe.-* are not obtainable
for the reason given above. The samples of cotton trousering forwarded are of American
manufacture, and this article is being imported from the United States in larger quantities
IV . ;ir. whilst its importation from the United Kingdom has dwindled to a negligible
1^ . l)ecauBe the Auiericairj article can be purchased at less cost. Germany too has
been successful in securing orders from this market for this class of goods, and although
t! 'rs are small it helps to accentuate the fact that British manufacturers are losing
•^.- is far a« such trouserings are concerned. Khaki drills are chiefly importefl from the
tlnited States on account of their cheapness. It may be of interest to note that the
imjKjrtations of " linen, cotton and woollen goods " from the Uniteci Sttites of America
during the years 1909-10 and 1910-11 were $60,707 and $39,144 respectively. Such
goods were made up almost exclusively of khaki and other drills and cotton trouserings.
Several classes of manufactured go«MJK of German origin find their way \ntn this market
to the prejudice of similar goods manufactured in the United Kingdom. Of these goods
haberdashery, toys, glass beads, enamelled wares, glass ornaments and drinking glasses
are the principal items, but as they are not separately enumerated in the statistics of the
department the quantities and values of inn)"jrts from each country cannot Ix; furnished.
I enclose a few samples* of cloths imported by local firms from foreign sources.
The sample marked " A2" is unbleached cotton twill of Ameriain make. The importer
states that although the selling price is the same as that of a similar British make the
American article is in vastly greater demand, and has almost entirely displaced the British
production. Samples " B ' and " C " are cloths exclusively manufactured in and
obtained from the United States. Sample " B " is known as " dungaree," and is
sold locally at 16 cents per vard. Sample " C " is a cheap print sold at 5 cents per
yard ; it is claimed that this print is a fast colour, and that British manu&cturers are
unable to produce a similar article (fast colour) at the price.

12. A study of the situation in general leads me to the conclusion that the factor of
price has a most important bearing u[K»n suijersession of British trade in certain classes
of goods, and it would seem that it is generally in the cheai)est grades of articles that
foreign countries are able to extend business to the detriment of British manufactures.
There is a p<^)pular impression amongst many j)eople that British manufacturers are averse
to manufacturing articles of an extremely cheap and tawdry nature, but apart from this
they may be reluctant to turn out articles that can only have perhaps a sale limited to
particular parts of the tropics, but at the same time there is money to be made in this
way, otherwise German and American business men would cease to produce a line of
goods that proved non-productive.

13. The following points have also a Ijearing upon the matter which forms the
subject of this report.

* These mmples may be Men hj British manafactarera and shippers on application at the
Commercial Int«lligenoe Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Baainghall Street, London, E.G.

29277 a

British Guiana — cont.

Commercial Travellers.

14. It cannot be said as a rule that British commercial travellers handle their
43Amples to the utmost advantage in this market. Travellers frequently represent upwards
of six houses each, and consequently carry a numerous variety of samples, with many of
which they are not infrequently entirely unacquainted. On the other hand, travellers
from the United States specialise, so to speak, and each traveller carries with him the
lines with which he is thoroughly conversant. It naturally follows that such intimate
knowledge, well applied, helps to secure orders which might otherwise be lost.

Freight and Exchange Rates.

15. Freight rates naturally have a direct effect upon the selling price of imported
goods. Britain's only competitor in this Colony in certain classes of manufactured goods
which has an advantage in rates of freight is the United States. From enquiries made
amongst importers it would appear that freight on most goods from the United States
averages twelve cents per foot as against twenty-one cents per foot from the United
Kingdom. Reducing these rates to a basis of value as far as it is possible to do so, it is
reckoned that the Americans have an advantage in freight rates equal to an average of about
one per cent, of the value of the goods. The rates of exchange are also in favour of
the United States, bills being obtained on New York at a half per cent, discount, whilst
a bill on London is at a premium of one and a half per cent.

Packages and Packing op Goods.

16. American manufacturers, I am told, seldom or never make any charge for
packages or for packing of goods, and the absence of these charges it would appear
further reduces the landed cost of goods from that country. It may be, however, that
the American manufacturer includes the expense of packing in the wholesale cost of
the goods.

Price Lists and Catalogues.

17. Complaints are made that the majority of British houses do not pay sufficient
attention to detail, and to keeping their catalogues and price lists up-to-date, the
Americans and Germans being ahead of them in these respects. Most British firms are
said to supply the same catalogues year after year with very few if any additions thereto,
whereas the American and German firms are always issuing new and up-to-date lists
profusely illustrated with drawings, photographs, &c., and containing minute descriptions
of even the smallest articles.

Finish and Appearance of Goods.

18. Another matter in which the British manufacturer is said to show to disadvan-
tage with the foreign firms, especially the American and German, is in the manner in
which certain articles are prepared for sale. Such things as trunks, canisters, travelling
bags, toilet requisites, perfumes, soaps and even tools are as a rule very attractively got
up and packed by American and German houses, so that, given two articles of the same
kind and selling price, the smart and attractive appearance of the foreign-made one will
usually result in its being taken in preference to the article of British manufacture.

General.

19. In conclusion I may say that I consider British trade would be assisted by the
sending of fewer catalogues, and more commercial travellers. I quite realise the value of
the catalogue as an advertising medium, particularly in certain lines of business, and no
doubt it yields profitiible results, otherwise British manufacturers would not continue the
distribution of catalogues, but as a method of creating openings for British trade I
think it is overdone, and a smart traveller with a good knowledge of his business, and
all other things being equal, will do more to extend British trade in a week than
advertising by catalogue will do in twelve months.

20. American and German manufacturers will go to quite a lot of trouble to suit
their customer's tastes, and this obliging disposition not infrequently secui'es for them a
certain amount of trade which otherwise might have remained with British traders.

British Guiana — coni.

21. As previously pointed out in this report, it is mostly in the cheaper classes of
certain kinds of goods that Britain is losing ground. Where quality is a prime con-
ttideration she can still hold her own, but in nearly all the Crown Colonies and
Protectorates situated within the tropical belt the large majority of the population has no
great amount of wealth for disbursement, and cheap articles of clothing and household
utility naturally find a ready sale amongst them, so that the British manufacturer cannot
afford to despise the production of articles of cheap and low-grade quality, even although

rhe may feel disinclined to engage in such a trade.

22. I enclose a Ust of articles (Appendix II.) which are entirely (or nearly so)

Erocured from foreign countries, and which I did not include in the statement asked for
J you. The articles enumerated in the list are mostly agricultural products, and the
reason that they are mostly secured from non- British sources requires, I think, no
explanation.

I have, etc.,

J. M. REID,
The Assistant Secretary, Comptroller of Cwitoms.

(Commercial Department),
Board of Trade.

APPENDIX I.
Statejiest showing the PRIirclPAL Abticle.s imported into the Colony for Home Consumption
darins; each of the last three trade years, and which are chiefly imported from Non-British
aonrces.

AxtiolM and

1909-1910.

1910-1911.

1911-

L913.

OoutriM.

QnuitltUii

Talaw.

Quantities.

Valoea.

Qnantitiea.

Values.

Blue-

Uoited Kingdom

Gemuuiy

Holland

Other Countries ..

Lbs.

8,012
77,000

5,000
21,000

66
669

47
176

Lbs.

19,620

40,000

15,000

168

354

124

Lbs.

29,120

106,048

15,000

9,500

236

980

120

Total

111,012

958

74,620

646

159,668

1,419

Bran and Pollard —

United Kingdom

Britinh Fo— OMiona

United States

45,700

179496

6:)o

46,168
91,496

137
326

62,888
68,960

215
262

ToUl

224.952

792^

137,664

463

131,848

477

Brmd and Biscuita,nol fancy, in Una —

United Kingdom

British PosseflHions

United Stetes

Other Coantriet

10,027

17,658

41,181

403

478
991
i

9,575
14;«9
42,350

255

411

1.123

18,472
12,969
39,184

462
341 .
859

Total

68,870

l,872i

66,324

1,789

70,625

1,662

BuUer—

United Kingdom

British PosaesBions

France

Denmark

Holland

Other Coontries

7,4.50

37,(H)4

418,428

39,205

19,193

3,489

451

2,442

17,308

2.873

1.211

214

59,3.i2
32,532
297,680
52,299
13,487
7,463

2,869

2,045

12,911

3,671

.S84

445

45,473

20,371

314,963

85,384

i3,o:^^

2,970

2,517

1,299

14,566

5,582

603

174

Total

.')24,769

24,499

462,793

22,825

482,194

24,741

BuU^ SubatituUs—

United Kingdom

British Poflsessions

United StiUes

Holland

224

32,628
61,920
11,800

712

1,385

237

2,500
90,200
11,410

2,068
281

200

2,000

88,508

28,;to6

1,796

551

Total

106.572

2,340

104,110

2,411

119,044

2,395

tmt

Ot 3

British Guiana — cont.
Appendix I. — cotit.

Articles and

1909-1910.

1910-1911.

1911-1912.

Conntries.

Qnantities.

Values.

Quantities.

Values.

Quantities.

Values.

Cement —

United Kingdom

United Slates

Denmark

Other Countries

Barrels.

8,199

3.fi62

100

1,400

2,757

1,083

615

Barrels.

6,873

1,301

332

1,736

2,948

421

709

Barrels.
3,721
2,575
2,160

868

1,731
878
924
336

Total

13,261

4,495

10,242

4,142

9,.324

3,869

Cheese —

United Kingdom

British Possessions

United States

Holland

Other Countries

Lbs.

13,170

37,152

4,001

192,728

532

1,256

144

5,825

Lbs.

17,333

33,140

2,694
161,376

3,128

684
1,078

104
4,978

102

Lbs.
18,230
46,188
11,533
159,490
2,389

839
1,640

438

4,941

Total

247,080

7,758

217.671

6,946

237,830

7,931

Hains —

United Kingdom

British Possessions

United States

Other Countries

45,892

1,191

214,026

2,033

7,041

39,343

204,955
12

2,079

6,779

46,712

232,870

2,186

8,394

Total

261,109

9,114

244,310 8,858|

279,582

10,580

Lard and Lard Compounds —

United Kingdom

United States

1,070
320,654

8,163

5,083
312,523

150
7,999

480
337,378

16
7,514 ■

Total

321,724

8,195

317,606

8,149

337,858

7,530

Matches —

United Kingdom

Norway

Sweden

Other Countries

Gross of

boxe s.

51,806

3,905

2,160

4,231
299
151

Gross of

boxes.

900

10,860

4,690

180

1,054

278

Gross of

boxes.

1,140

16,560

13,580

2,160

1,699

1,038

176

Total

57,904

4,684

16,630

1,417

33,440

3,002

Meats {Canned) —

United Kingdom

British Possessions

United States

Other Countries

Lbs.
29,045
12,649
58,620
1,199

1,361

365

1,843

Lbs.
29,685

2,445
50,922

],.')56

1,288

2,096

117

Lbs.

36,547

1,128

87,148

673

1,694
27

3,568
37

Total

101,513

3,652

84,608

3,599

125,496

5,326

Oats—

United Kingdom

British Possessions

United States

Holland

Russia

Other Countries

738,392
402,776
699,328
3,690,860
264,000
25,084

3,384
1,876
2,673
16,412
1,329
.117

403,852
424,576
668,512
2,590,352
593.280 \
59,840 ,

1,698
1,485
2,274
10,991
2,470
238

649,152
1,009,840
1,873,936
1,354,180

423,364

2,795
4,131
7,193
5,727
2,019

Total

5,820,440

25,791

4,740,412

19,156

5,310,472

21.865

Shooks —

United Kingdom

United States

Packs.
531
328

592
470

Packs.
757
925

724
1,043

Packs.

1,295 1.004
3,524 3,627

Total

859

1,062

1,682

1,767

4,819

4,631

Medicinal Preparations, containing
spirits {not Official) —

United Kingdom

British Possessions

United States

Other Conntries ..

Gallons.

991

178

2,390

Gallons.

122

1,219

315

2,573

Gallons.

112

105

1,024

232

128
2,389

Total

1,157

2,636

1,396

2,967

1,243

2,756

British Guiana — cont.
Appendix I. — cont.

Article* and

19O9-1910.

1910-1

Pii.

1911-1912.

CoantriaL

Quantities.

Values.

Quantities.

Values.

Valnw.

Motor Cars —

1 United Kingdom

British Possessions

United States

No.

4,.')42
553

No.
5
2
5

938
662
727

No.
17

£
5,533

5,341

Total

5,095

2,.327

10,874

Lamps and Lanterns —

United Kingdom

United States

Other Conntries

■~

1,035

1.159

229

822

1,170

102

—

674
750

106

Total

2,423

—

2,094

—

1,530

Paper and Pajttr ManufofJure —

United Kingdom

Britinh FosBeesions

Holland

France

Germany

Other Coantries

1,459
338

1,07C
189
303

2,658
388

871
324
320

2,613
212

3,989
919
435
317

Total

—

3,3«;:)

—

4,561

—

8,485

Fniif and Vegetables {Fresh}—

United Kingdom -

British FoaBeaBion«

United SUte«

Spain

Other C'onntriea

233

1,324

2H6
155

—

110
328
1.163
323
195

—

178

262

1,597

220

Total

—

2,037

—

2.119

—

2,275

Mdehinery and Wire for ■ Electric
Lighting —

Unitttl Kingdom

British FooMamona

United States

Other Con ntriea

—

»;29

12
1.384

1,250
1,192

—

3,655

4^88
46

Total

—

2,025

—

2,442

—

8,689

Sew'-,. met —

1 ivingdom

United States

Germany

Other Coantries

973

1,446

276

No.
258
631
103

569

1,309

201

No.

401

622

353

687

1,340

556

Total

—

2,695

992

2,079

1,384

2,601

APPENDIX n.

List of Articles) Imported Almost Exolubivbly prom Non-Britibh Sourcbs.

Arrowroot.

Be« Coltnre, supplies for.
Beef, pickled.
Brimstone and Snlphnr.
Coffee, raw.
Com or Maize.
Commeal.
Cotoleue.

Crnshefl and ground feed.
Ciin-ants.
Garlic.
Males.

Oils, Cotton Seed.
., Lard.

OilH, Petroleum.

Opium.

Pitch.

Pork, pickled.

Quicksilver.

Sago.

Sheep.

Spirits, Brandy.

„ Gin.
Staves and Headings.
Stearine.
Tobacco, in Leaf.
Wine, in balk.

54
BERMUDA.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Bermuda.
Sib, 14th February, 1913.

I AM directed by the Governor of Bermuda to transmit to you herewith, for the
information of the Board of Trade, the accompanying Report, with a Statistical Table, on
the trade of Bermuda with especial reference to the position of British trade.

I have, &c.,

R. POPHAM LOBB,

Colonial Secretary.
The Assistant Secretary,

Commercial Department,

Board of Trade.

REPORT ON BRITISH TRADE WITH BERMUDA.

Table A gives the total value of the imports into Bermuda for ten years (1902
to 1911).

The principal sources from which the imports were derived were the United States,
the United Kingdom, Canada, other British Colonies and other Foreign countries, in the
order named.

The high figures during the four years 1902, 1903, 1904 and 1905 were due to
exceptional and temporary causes, viz. : — the presence of the Boer prisoners of war, with
two additional regiments in garrison and the large Imperial expenditure on the improve-
ments to the Dockyard.

The average annual value of the imports from each of the above sources during the
ten-year period 1902-11 was as follows : —

United States 261,044

United Kingdom

Canada

Other British Possessions

Other Countries

• ••■ ••• •••

158,056

73,948

9,271

3,036

Table B compares the annual value of the total imports from British and Foreign
sources for the same period and shows the annual diflference between them.

The average annual value of the total imports from British sources was ^241,275
and of those from Foreign sources £264,080 ; the average annual difference in favour of
Foreign sources being £22,805.

In seeking a standard of comparison for the growth of British and Foreign trade with
Bermuda in recent years, it is more satisfactory to take the figures for the year 1899,
when the temporary causes mentioned in paragraph 3 had not begun to affect the
imports.

These figures w^ere as follows : —

Imports in 2899 and 1911.

From
United Kingdom.

From British Possessions.

From United States of America and other
Foreign Conntries.

1899...
1911...

£
104,408

153,867

40,558
(Canada, £33,119)

92 322
(Canada? £84,129)

249,640
(United States, £246,447)

299 351
(United States, £297,681)

It will be seen that the trade with the United Kingdom increased by 47 per cent.,
that with Canada by 154 ])er cent., and that with Foreign Countries by about 20 per cent.

The most important fact brought out by this comparison is the large growth in the
imports from Canada. These consist largely of articles such as flour, hay, and other
agricultural products, which twenty years ago were imported principally from the United
States.

Table C gives the quantities and value of the principal imports into Bermuda
from the United Kingdom, British Pos.sessions, the United States of America and all
Countries, for each of the years 1910 and 1911.

Bermuda — coni.

In the following Table these imports are placed under the heading of the source
from which they are principally imported : —

United Kingdom.

British Possessions.

United States.

Clothing.

Batter.

Beef-quarters.

Confectionery.

Bran.

Building materials.

Cotton goods.

Box material.

Cement.

Fancy goods.

Cheese.

Carriages.

Fruit and Meats (canned).

Fish (preserved).

Coffee and cocoa.

Hardware.

Flour.

Com.

Jewellery.

Hay.

Drugs.

Linen goods.

Jewellery.

Electrical goods.

Oilmen's stores.

OatB.

Fertilizer.

Oils and paints.

Potatoes.

Furniture.

Silk goods.

Tea.

Groceries.

Tea.

Leather, manufactured.

Woollen goods.

Metal, manufactured.

Bicycles.

Machinery.

Cigarettes.

Oil, Kerosene.

Malt liquor.

Paper.

Whiskey.

Meats (smoked and

Wine.

•

salted).
Poultry and meats.
Sugar.
Cigars.
Eggs.
Horses.

Oxen and cows.
Tobacco.

Before dealing in iletail with the rejisons fur the success of foreign competition, it is
desintble to consider the general factors which affect the trade of Bermuda.

The first of these is the steamship communications with other ports, which at present
are : — New York, a weekly service by two lines of steamers ; Canada, a service by
steamers for the West Indies, arriving at Bermuda fortnightly ; England, a service by
a freight .steamer of the Cayo Line, leaving London every six weeks tor Gulf Ports and
touching at l^rmuda.

The steamerH from Xew York bring all American imports, a portion of the Canadian,
and about half of the English ; the Canadian Steamers bring the greater part of the
imports from Canada ; and the English Steamers bring alx)Ut one half of the imports
from London.

Secondly, the freight charges on American and Canadian goods are reasonable, but
those on English goods, whether shipped vid New York or by direct steamer, are high,
those by the latter being kept up by the high cost of the alternative route. This, as will
be pointed tmt later, affects British trade adversely in the case of some at least of the
articles which are now imported principally from the United States.

Thinlly, the large floating population of American Tourists and Winter residents,
aveniging in all alxnit 26,000 annually, affects British trade favourably by increasing the
market for English clothing and other g»x)ds. /

The imports from Canada mentioned in that Table will also continue to increase,
especially if the proposed new weekly steamship service between Canada, Bermuda and
Jamaica materialises. If, as is pnjbable, a market can be found in Canada for Bermuda's
agricultural produce which requires chill-room accommodation, that service •will result in
a substantial increase in the imports of other articles from Canada instead of from the
United States.

An important factor in the maintenance of the trade with Great Britain is the fact
that the Colony is frequently visited by English commercial travellers, who appear to
achieve considerable success, especially in the following lines : — Soap, Toilet articles,
Spirits, and Provisions (canned).

Imports from the United States which are greater in quantity and value than

similar goods of British Origin.

A Ust of these imports is included in the Table given earlier in this report, and the
quantities and values during the two latest years for which details are available are
shown in Table C.

.Bermuda — cont.

To deal with them in detail : —

Beef (Quarters), valued at £11.981 in 1911. — Although the United States is not
the cheapest market it is at present the only possible source from which meat may be
im])orted, owing to the lack of chill-room accommodation in other steamship connections. '

Building Material, valued at £2,819 in 1911. — This includes ready-made doors,
blinds, and sash of American pine. The United States is the cheapest source of supply
for the class of goods required.

Cement, valued at £1,343 in 1911. — At present the United States is the cheapest
source. But the uncertain and infrequent sailings and liigh freight of the direct steam-
ship communication with London diverts this trade from the United Kingdom to a
considerable extent.

Carriages, valued at £2,772 in 1911. — The bulk of the carriages imported are used
for the conveyance of American tourists, and the type of carriage preferred by the trade is
of American manufacture. High rates of freight preclude any British trade in this
article.

Coffee and Cocoa, valued at £2,485 in 1911. — The grade of cofEee which satisfies the
local market is South American coffee, which can be imported cheaper from the United
States. The same reason appHes to cocoa.

Corn, valued at £5,927 in 1911. — This is Indian com for poultry and cattle. The
United States is the only source of supply.

Drugs, valued at £5,556 in 1911. — These are chiefly American patent medicines,
which are extensively advertised and find a large sale among the poorer classes of the
population.

Electrical Goods, valued at £7,270 in 1911. — There is only one electrical concern in
the Colony. The fact that the Superintendent of this Company, until recently, was an
Ainerican, accounts largely for the imports of these goods from the United States. There
seems to be no reason why British firms should not obtain the principal show in this
trade. The motive power used by the Company is producer gas, of which they have 3
units, 1 American and 2 English. The latter I am informed are greatly superior to, and
cost considerably less than, the American.

Fertilizer, \ahied at £6,389 in 1911. — The fact that all the agricultural produce of
Bermuda is exported to New York, with the resulting trade connections, accounts for the
trade in this article with the United States. High freights would prevent the importation
from Great Britain of any large quantity.

Furniture, valued at £9,273 in 1911. — The furniture imported from the United
States is of uncured wood, badly constructed and of poor design. It is also expensive as
compared with the cost in England of the style of furniture in demand among a similar
class of people. The freight rate per cubic foot from England, which is very high on
articles which bulk so largely as furniture, prevents any trade. It is suggested that
English furniture which could be shipped in " Knock-down" form might find a good sale.

Groceries, valued at £6,624 in 1911. — Owing to quick shipping connections, the
United States will probably always retain the greater part of this trade, especially in
articles which are perishable.

Leather, Manufactured, valued at £12,680 in 1911. — This consists principally of
Boots and Shoes, and Harness. The grades of shoes imported are inferior to and much
cheaper than English goods, but are imported to meet^ the local demand for a smart-
looking, cheap shoe. Tne same remark applies to Harness.

Metal, Manufactured, valued at £3,356 in 1911. — This includes Stoves, Kitchen
ware, and numerous other articles. The class is too mixed to enable any opinion to be
formed as to the causes, other than propinquity, of the preponderance of these imports
from the United States.

Machinery, valued at £4,982 in 1911. — Steam engines and boilers, motor boat
engines of a cheap grade, ice and electric light machines. High freight from England
and cheapness in the United States are the determining factors in this case.

Oi7, kerosene, valued at £5,095 in 1911. — The United States is the natural source
bt supply.

Paper, valued at £1,867 in 1911. — This is nearly all used in newspaper work. The
importers state that they cannot obtain a similar grade in England.

Meats, Smoked and Salted, valued at £13,950 in 1911. — These are Ham, Bacon and
smoked and salted Beef. As compared with English products they are much inferior,
but still of fair quality, and can be imported and sold here at a cheaper rate.

Poultry and Meats, valued at £3,422 in 1911.— The necessary chill-room accommoda-
tion for importing these, exists only in the case of the Steamers running between
Bermuda and New York.

Bkrml'da — coni.

Soap atid Starch, valued at £'2,563 in 1911. — The trade in this article is divided
nearlv equally between the United Kingdom antl the United States.

'Suijar, valued at £6,497 in 191J. (United Kingdom, £2,349; West Indies,
£3,1.^2.) — The sugar from the United States is granulated sugar. It is not cheaper than
English sugar, but can be imix)rted at more frequent intervals and in smaller quantities
by the small retailer.

Cigars, valued at £994 in 1911 . — Imported to meet raiuirements of American tourists.

Eggs, valued at £2,662 in 1911. — New York is the natural source of supply for the
quantity required in excess of the local production.

/f arses, valued at £5,870 in 1911.— The risks of the sea voyage prohibit the
importation of these from any other port but New York.

Oxen and Coirs, va.hied'^ nt £24,859 in 1911.— Up to the present date (191-2) the
United States has been the only source of supply of cattle, but recently the principal
importers have arranged for shipments direct from the Argentine.

Tobacco, valued at £2,224 in 1911. — This consists chiefly of cheap grades of tobacca
consumed by the labouring classes, of a kind not produced in' the United Kingdom.

It will be seen froni the foregoing remarks on particular imports that the main
causes which afiEect the trade of lienuiulu are its geograptiical position, in cU)se proximity
to the markets of the United States, and the comparatively limited and infrequent steam-
ship communication with other coimtries. No consitlemble development of British trade
can be expected until a direct fast service with England^has been re-established, leaving
for Bermuda at least once a month regularly, or oftener. *

In one case, that of furniture (the annual, value imjx.rfed Ijeing about £10,000), it is
suggested that British manullicturers may increase their trade with HermmLv by providing
a class of furniture strongly made, simple in form and of well-seasoned material, which
may be ship|»ed " Knocked down " for re-assembling here, so as to reduce the freight
charges.

TABLE A.

TOTAL IMPORTS, AllI) IMPORTS FROM PBIBTCIPAL SOURCK8, 1902-1911.

Tcv.

Unlttd
Kiogdoa.

OuaOM.

Other
PoMiiriotM.

United

Other
Conniries.

Total.

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

£
195.675
204,171
233,405
179.050
116,99:5
121,831
10:i,581
113,946
158,043
1.53.867

t
.52,131
65,693
86,171
81,146
55,451
72,388
75,055
83,885
83,429
84,129

13,523

9,457

12,684

12.409

9.757

6,317

5,923

6,799

7,648

8,193

£
321.4«7
289,371
2H.'i,054
264,797
218,702
215,794
206,587
233,982
266,981
297.681

.3,:146
3,008
5,096
5,820
2,773
4,266
1,376
■2.(i:i6
073
1,670

£
586,162
571,700
6;«,410
.543,222
403,676
420,596
392,522
440,648
517,074
.545,540

AnnDal Avengv

158.056 73,948

9,271

261,044

3,036

505,:}55

TABLE B.

COMPARISON BKTWEEN IMPORTS FROM BRITISH AKO FORKIGN S0URCK8, 1902-1911.

Difference.

T«»r.

Fran Britiih
SouroM.

From Foreign

BotUOM.

In faToor of British.

In favour of Foreign,

1902 ■

261,329

^^2^,^^^

—

63,504

1903 .

279,321

292,379

—

13,058

19W

332.260

:5(X),15<J

32.110

—

1905 .

272,605

270,617

1.988

—

1906 .

182,201

221,475

—

:«.274

I'.tf'T .

200.536

22t>,060

—

19,524

^.Ht.^

184,559

•207,963

—

23,404

\9if.> .

204,6.30

236,018

—

31,388

1910 .

249,120

267,954

—

18,834

191 J

246489

299,.351

—

.53,162

Annaal Avenge ...

241,275

264,080

22,80:.

■ 58
Bekmuda — cont.
TABLE C.

Statement showing the

Total

j5 . (Quantity and Value of the Principal Articles Imported

into Bermuda in each of the years 1910 and 1911— distinguishing Imix)rts from
the United Kingdom, British Possessions and the United States.

lit 10.

lUU.

Principal Artiole8;Imported.

RriHaVi

RriHfth

United

Posses-
sions.

United

All

United

PosKes-
sions.

United

Kinf^dom.

States.

Countries.

King-dom.

States.

Countries.

Tj r ) Tons
Beef < V

285

215

—

16,279

—

11,981

„. , / No.
Bicycles i ^

386

113

514

314

183

497

1,461

569

2,117

l,9.".l

—

880

2,.S31

Brau £

—

2,839

2,904

5,743

—

5,633

2,381

8,014

Bread £

1,161

591

1,981

3,733

1,617

605

1,881

4.103

Building Materials £

l.;i62

211

4,848

6,421

235

585

2,819

3,639

Box Materials ... £

—

3,261

3,274

—

6,473

1,479

7,952

T, .. f Tons
Bntter i o

103

142

151

2,ei7

11,861

2,042

16,520

2,035

8,282

6,115

16,432

Cement £

Included

under "B

uilding ]V

aterials"

714

—

1,343

2.057

Carriages £

1,560

1,584

—

2,772

„, I Cwts.
Cheese \ ^.

1,200

100

1,303

600

640

1,253

3,975

379

4.402

1,973

2,307

4,352

Clothing £

26,295

528

9,418

36,241

33,614

366

9,160

43,140

Coffee and Cocoa { '^°^^

335

1,404

20
1,748

4
462

—

38
2,485

2,947

Corn { ^""'^'f

—

37,042

—

37,956

—

5,219

5.219

—

5,927

Confectionery ... £

1,644

1,510

3,244

1,976

2,147

4,182

Cotton Goods ... £

11,781

7,530

19,371

11,007

7,366

18,412

Drugs £

1,903

199

3,701

5,803

1,524

355

5,556

7,435

Eggs { ^°^7

7,787

38,842

46,641

184

5,126

47,002

.52,312

459

2,408

2,869

290

2,662

2,959

Electrical Goods £

1,686

—

5,952

7,638

828

—

7,270

8,098

Fertilizer £

1,690

5,801

7,533

1,588

180

6,389

8,157

Fish — Preserved £

925

5,906

1,032

7,863

1,305

5,711

1,504

8,520

Fancy Goods ... £

4,760

121

2,378

7,259

4,722

113

1,813

6,648

Flour { ^^'''f

;',34

17,778

4,105

22,217

552

17,113

4,312

21,977

271

16.589

4,020

20,880

428

16,978

4,083

21,489

Fruit and Meats —

Canned £

8,743

632

6,776

16,151

9,413

826

7,289

17,528

Furniture £

1,310

492

7,231

9,033

1,033

526

9,273

10,832

Groceries £

2,844

549

5,398

8,791

2,125

772

6,624

9,521

Hardware ... £

4,567

438

3,497

8,502

3,441

917

3,794

8,152

Hay £

—

3,936

511

4,447

—

4,063

276

4,339

Jewellery £

5,192

2,406

6,860

14,458

3,790

3,230

5,096

12,116

Live Stock

f No.

—

100

170

—

182

233

Horses

I £

—

1,982

2,585

4,567

—

990

5,870

6,860

Oxpn unfl Oows

f No.

—

349

1,048

1,397

—

.39

1,569

1,608

V.AiV/11 uUvi, \^\J »i D

i £

—

4,450

17,068

21,518

—

473

24,859

25,332

Linen Goods ... £

4,536

—

739

5,275

3,587

1,441

5,028

Leather Manufac-

tures £

2,006

193

14,001

16,200

1,866

151

12,680

14,697

Malt Liquor ... | Ho^^l^ea^s

4,299

—

4,330

5,230

—

5,286

12,673

—

981

13,681

13,028

—

1,708

14,736

Metal Manufac-

tures £

480

1,627

2,127

354

3,356

3,710

Machinery ... £

5,295

—

6,891

12,186

643

4,982

5,675

Oil, Kerosene ... j <^^'^°|^

—

330,648

—

246,250

—

5,594

—

5,095

Oats jBushds

—

100,460

36,121

136,581

—

168,428

38,125

206,553

—

7,881

2,810

10,691

—

9,879

3,312

13,191

Oilmen's Stores... £

2,587

513

3,119

3,451

Oils and Paints... £

1,828

197

1,325

3,350

3,684

189

1,7.56

5,629

Paper £

203

829

1,663

2,695

278

855

1,867

3,000

Meats, Smoked and ( Tons
Salted \ £

290

295

not statei;

470

isf}

16,561

17,214

413

245

13,950

14,608

Potatoes £

4,674

2,238

6,955

771

5,268

3,744

9,783

Poultry and Meats,

unenumerated... £

—

3,694

3,711

—

3,422

^oap and Starch ...

1,470

1,865

3,341

2,415

2,563

5,024

59
Bermuda — cont.
TABLE C—cont.

ported.

laio.

laii.

Prinoipftl Aniolw Im

RriHah

British
PosaeB-
sions.

United

Poceei>-
siona.

United

All

United

States.

Conutries.

Kingdom.

States.

Conntries.

8b«»

Tons

154

657

85f>

108

293

392

793

.130

2,025

9,626

12,335

2.349

.3,152

6,497

11,998

8Uk Goods

2,352

—

165

2.517

1..532

204

Tea

Tons

794

961

1,164

2,919

811

920

739

2,470

Tobacco

Tons

555

170

2,466

3,191

839

154

2,224

3.217

Cigan

No.

149,765

15*<,700

390,926

722,341

:W2.471

180,510

214,750

888,481

689

985

2,249

407

646

994

2,960

Cigmrettea

Cwts.

140

196

—

120

2,973

857

3,986

2,333

—

1,393

3,726

Whiskey

Oallons

7.094

392

248

7.734

7,416

472

543

8,431

2,487

142

120

2,749

2,304

162

267

2,733

Wine

2,255

174

2.432

3.584

—

226

3,810

Woollen Oooda ...

10,322

1,929

12.284

•

7,823

1,672

9,559

4¥

Btintftry I-

' x u.

'Hi.

up*. 1913-14.

EXAMISATJK.S Fai

Lknd Service.
Maou&I,

Board of Trade— (■■•/.
Cesv
V

u. iiii
ti

I I fit 11..

rades ; Paper, Prinlini,',
ilbQr, CtiBTi)^', and Indiu-

V. ■■•■ aiidCon-

s. \f.M.

IJ^kitill 111.11I1>11 <->!. LLUl

l.iL't;lll:i'

()•/.

,. Ui :—

l^AS.-ii;s(;i'u Sii;.\.\!siiirs.
Record Publications : —

I ^ALKNDAtta.

Cit.-i It.r.Tj;. EdwaudIH, Vol. .\ IV. 1.374-

l.'i».

Fix Vol. III. Edward II. 1319-

1327. 15s.

Milan. State Papora and Manuscripts existing

Iti. i ill the Archives and Collections of. Vol. I.

Id. I I5«.

V.'- '~ -lEKS. Papal Letters, Vol. IX.

15«.

'•'■ " '■■ ■ •\KD ni. :—

I ■;?. 15.1.

' . •... -vi . . ....,, -i.,ro. lbs.

LI. Lists ,^.\ii I.mjkxes.

wviv Tiiriex of Chancery Pkockkdinos
ntvisioM, 1613-1714. Vol. I.

13s.

|)TI,AND. RECISTEK OK

I.U.. Ji.ii.l .^t.ijt.-.s. Vol. V. 1676-1678. 15».
Xiocnl <r'»^'.Tnment Board: —

'. Hiiiidings luiJ certain
witli Buikliugs. 6f/.

•Id.
UiEAiNS. MiuulvK

" ■' iutoil

of.

.■. ..» i"mi 1.. .,/.!/.. ■!. 7 i'lper

2».

■ RALTH AND MeDICAL Svh-

Ujt..

'.t.rtoa« t-

i;iuii;s

it ile> to

iliiriiii?

.Map of.

'F Mn.K. both of

iilorod in

9./.

- ill

.11.1

^ of

yd.

Hi] ('..ilKloli. 3

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'■ iiiuUboulc ol. lOs

■Mir-

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1».

Ui;il to

I0O7 to
.V.

I Text of OIljt'VlioUN to tllo

'uiniu L'wuud on Jan. 9,
M.

StrttiitiTv ni,i,i;, ill

•h.. Fir.f

.ticiiUuj; I.

lav

'~y.

1 ",iU7,

fcr

I'ee

(id.

voIk.

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I r

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REPORTS

Bl^TTTSH IHADE

BRITISH WEST AEEICA,
STEAIT6 feETTLEMEKTS, BBITISIl GUIANA.

AND BEBMUDA,

FURNISHED TO THE BOARD OF TRADE BY THE

HONORARY CORRESPONDENTS OF THEIR COMMERCIAL

INTELLIGENCE BRANCH IN THOSE COLONIES.

|Jrc6cntcb to both j^jouscs of t-1aili;nncnt by Cominanb of |)is J^lrtjcsti).

1^,'

%.^'^

^L'^'-^j"--

'*^, "^fc^A**^^^^ $^'

./::'/ r

.^/^K{*

t-i::3ijincii2i£)4

LONDON

I' I

KniNBunGH; it

rjtii < ijjc ami Atiitiati

w.c.

I) BY

-olN, i/rix, Baco:s ."iiuEET, L:.
1913.

s» ^

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
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UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

Gt. Brit.

Board

trade

3506

British

trade

certain

colonies

191?

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Full text of "British trade in certain colonies. Reports on British trade in British West Africa, Straits Settlements, British Guiana, and Bermuda, furnished to the Board of trade by the honorary correspondents of their commercial intelligence branch in those colonies"

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