The times., 1899-12-31
TRADE WITH THE TRANsvAAL.
An Interesting Publication Issued by
the Bureau of Statistics.


the Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau of Statistics has recently
published a pamphlet entitled Commercial
Africa in 1899 One of the principal arti-
cies in this publication is entitled The I'M
port Trade of the South African Republic, -
in which is set forth in tabulated state
ments what the Transvaal bought in the
markets Of the world during the fiscal year.
According to the article referred to. the
trade OF the year was divided a. follows.
Europe. 63.6 per cent: Cape Colony. 10.5
per cent: Natal. 9.5 per cent; Delasoa Bay.
8 per cent; Orange Free State, g. PEI cent
other countries. per cent. ". Stanley
Hollis. United States Consul at L0ureGco
Marques, estimates the prCddc,iCa of coal
In the Trausvaal for 1897 at 81, 900 tons.
According to statistics transmitted by Con-
sui Macrum, of Pretoria, the gold utput
in 1883 was about 1000 eco ounces.
The British Vice Consul 1T Johannesburg
gives the following details as to trade:
The import Of railway ma -erial in 1887
amounted to si,23t ia, an increase OF
81 155 S13 over the previous year. Ma
chnery was in 1897, as in 1895. the larges.
item in the imports. aggregaiiag in tle
former year S9131 t5I There is a large de-
crease in this line. however, owing 10 the
fact that the demand for machinery Is
shrinking. on account Of the almost entire
cessation of the development and equip
ment OF fresh mining properties. The mines
that are working are fully equipped and
the current year viii probably show fur
Their decrease.
The import Of beer in 1897 was S229. Psi
There has been no material iiucLuatioH ia
this item since 1895. The bulk of the beer
imported comes from Germany, London
and the United States. There are several
local bTeweTies. with a good and cheap
product The Importation Of liquors has
increased during the last three years,
amounting in 1897 to Sll6I, i13; oversee
imports in this line are chiefly from Great
Britain.
The leather goods imported in 1897 was
valued at 81 250 226, showing a decrease Oi
% per cent from 1886. Boots and shoes
are the largest items in this class. and they
are mostly of British manufacture.
Furniture was valued IA 1897 aJ 81 ,j4J,
576, or a decrease from the preceding year
Of u per cent. The figures for 1896 were
large, showing the prosperity enjoyed by
the State during that year, but house fur
nlshing Is now at a standstill and a large
reduction in this article OF import may be
expected during the current year. The
United Kingdom Germany, Austria, and
the United States are competitors in this
line.
The importation OF butter. including
butterine, ghee. and margarin, was Sl.5,-
l23. Imports Ia this line have steadily in
creased, and on account Of the ravages OF
the riudeUpest there now exists a good
market in South Africa for this article
Provisions and groceries included con-
densed milk to the value of 1852. 162 in
1897. and woolen blankets were valued al
1898. 800.
The Transvaal affords good market foI
ready made clothing as the population
generally, including the Beers, seem tC
prefer this kind OF garment. The natives
are also extensive purchasers of clothing.
The trade of the United Kingdom with
South Africa is increasing year by year
but that Of the United States is making
still greater progress. The excellence @!
American packing is appreciated. and in
some lines British goods are being dis
placed by American products. For in-
stance. household pumps edge tools in
cluding saws, shOvels, picks. lawn mowers
and carriages of American manufacture are
preferred" "
The Board OF Trade Journal London
October. 1898, gives the following figures
comparing the import trade In the Trans
vGal for the halr-yeaCs ending June 80
1897, and June 80. 1898 General imp in
1897. $25. 1875 .536; in 1898. $25 ~. 500 De
crease for 1898, s10,I52, 766, or about 2S per
cent.
The total value of imports Of the United
States in its trade with Africa during the
year ending June so 1899 amounted 10 Sl0,-
440 060; the total value OF exports of the
United States in its trade with Africa dur
ing the same period amounted to SiG999.