The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-18 00:00:00

OUR TRADE WITH FRANCE.

The extent of our trade with France during the
eight months from the Ist of September last, when
the new treaty came into full operation, to the 30th
of April, has just been:stated in official documents
prepared at the Custom-house and presented to
Parliament. The figures are satisfactory, and show
that our industry has gained a new field, which
must have had a most opportune influence in par-
tially counteracting the effects of the Morrill Tariff
in America, Economists will, of course, adhere to
their principle that commercial treaties are inexpe-
dient, and at the best can supply but a clumsy means
of approaching those results which a strict adherence
to a free trade policy on our part would inevitably
have compelled in their integrity; bat we may con-
gratulate ourselves that great good. has been
achieved, although not the greatest that was prac-
ticable, and that this good, by being artifically
accelerated, has reached us at a moment when the
state of affairs in America has rendered it of double
importance. It appears that in the eight months
specified in the return, our total exports to France
amounted to £13,796,269, showing an increase of
40 per cent. on those of the corresponding eight
months of the previous year, and of 123 per cent.
on those of the same period of 1860. This is a very
striking advance, but the changes become more re-
markable when we distinguish the exports of purely
British produce and manufactures from those which
consisted of foreign and colonial merchandise. Of
the total of £13,796,269, 56 per cent. was represented
by our own goods, and it is found that while the ex-
portation of these to France has been exactly doubled
during the eight months of the treaty, those of
foreign and colonial merchandise, in the distribution
of which we act merely as speculators or agents, in-
creased only 2 per cent. Between 1860 and 1861
the distinction had been the other way, and, while
the ezportation of our home products had then in-
creased 31 per cent., those of foreign and colonial
had increased 100 per cent. Among the chief arti-
cles of home production in our improved trade are
woollens, which now figure for an aggregate of
£1,710,486 against £367,453 last year. Iron, which
has increased from £308,046 to £739,515. Cotton
piece goods, which have increased from £129,086
to £621,507, and cotton yarn, which stands at
£204,484 against_X__3B,ls3.‘B,..h,' •
hardware from
£103,558 to £172,734 ; and silk manufactures from
£45,040 to £82,337. Coal, contrary to expectation,
shows a fractional decrease, from £400,860 to
£397,266; and it is noticeable, as an indication of
the shifting and immediate action of neighbouring
markets to the wants of the moment, that, although
in the eight months from September to April last
we drew considerable quantities of wheat and flour
from France, we also shipped to that country Eng-
lish wheat to the value of £791,936, in addition to
American and other foreign wheat and flour,
amounting to £612,865. Among the foreign and
colonial produce we send to France are many of the
chief staples for manufacturing purposes, and the
depression of general trade will account for the ab-P
sence of any increase under these heads. Raw silk,
indeed, which we bring mainly from China, has
declined from £2,627,665 to £2,256,658, and wool,
principally Australian, has declined from £595,762
to £510,190. Of cotton the value sent in the last
eight months has been £293,988, against £219,633
in 1861.