The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-05-14 00:00:00

THL` BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS.

Judging by the "Accounts relating to Trade and
Navigation" for the month of April, our commercial
and industrial interests continue to be in a fairly
satisfactory condition. It is true that the value of
our exports last month was a trifle less than that of
the April exports last year; but the returns for the
four months of the year which have elapsed, show
that the value of exports, as well as that of imports,
has increased in comparison with the figures of last
year. Last month's imports were valued at £31,149,925,
against £26,066,754 in April, 1886, the increase in
favour of the present year being thus no less than
1'5063,171. During the first four months of this year
the imports were valued at £123,423,071, an in-
crease of £10,622,472 on the value of our imports
during the corresponding period of 1886. Our ex.
ports last month, as we have intimated, were of some-
what less value than those of April, 1886, this year
the value being £16,411,662 against £16,417,804 last
year, or a difference of £6,142. On the other hand,
the exports during the last four months were of
greater value by nearly 2,000,000 sterling than those
for the corresponding four months of last year, the
amount having increased from £68,524,664 in 1886
to £70,477,613 this year. The difference of £1,952,919
is sufficiently substantial to justify the beli.ef that the
small decrease on the April exports has no serious
significance.
When we examine the details of the returns we
find evidence of industrial revival which is eminently
satisfactory. Last month our imports of raw ma•
terials for textile manufactures were valued at no less
than £9,227,749, which was close upon double the
value of this class of imports in April, 1886, the
exact increase this year having been £4,561,030. It
is possible that some accidental circumstance may
have accounted for some part of this increase. The
direction of the wind may have had something to do
with the arrival of cargoes; but there can be no doubt
that this particular branch of trade shows an upward
tendency of a very encouraging character, for there
is an increase on these imports for the four months
of £7,314,217. This year we have imported raw
materials for textile manufactures of the value of
£34,584,967 against £27,270,720 in the corresponding
four months of last year; but, on the other hand,
the imports of "raw materials for sundry industries
and manufactures" have fallen in value from
£9,364,660 to £8,990,272, or a decrease of £374,388.
Our imports of manufactured articles have increased
in value, during the same period, from £18,406,262
to £18,841,970, or a difference of £435,708. There
is also an increase in the value of oils imported, the
amount having grown from £1,857,574 to £1,995,832.
Our food supply is also responsible for a considerable
increase over last year, the imports of those articles
of food and drink on which no Customs duty is
charged hevirsw isbcreased in value from £33,009,833
to £37,130,581. Lis increase practically represents
the increased importation of corn; but, although
the value of corn imported during the last
four months is more than four millions
sterling in excess of that for the correspond-
ing period of last year, it is still considerably mot/
than a million sterling below the returns for the first
four months of 1885. It is noteworthy that while two
items of increase this year represents nearly eleven
millions and a half sterling, there is a comparative
decrease in value shown in relation to no fewer than
seven of the 11 classes into which the imports are
divided. The following are the items of decrease
which we have not mentioned: Living animals, for
food. £265,494; dutiable articles of food and drink,
£11,098 ; tobacco, £181,122 ; metals, £86,855 ;
chemicals, dyestuffs, and tanning substances,
£410,395; and mi.cellaneous articles, £57,134.

The exports are classified undernine heads, and the
returns for the last four months show an increase
under every head but two. These returns justify the
belief in an industrial revival, for there is evidently
a greater demand abroad for our manufactures than
there was last year. rA value of yarns and textile
fabrics exported during tl-e first four months of the
year has increased from £34,933,876 to £36,179,136
In addition to this rise of £1,245,260 we find also the
following items of increase: Metals and articles
manufactured therefrom (except machinery), £305,319;
machinery and millwork, £304,682; apparel and
articles of personal use, £42,007; chemicals and
chemical and medicinal preparations, £20,328 ; living
animals, £22,042; and raw materials, .£213,102. The
items of decrease are: Articles of food and drink,
£111,967; and "all other articles, either manufac-
tured or partly manufactured," £207,824.