Evening star., 1901-08-30
NOW MORE NElGHBORLY
NEARBY COUNTRIES INCREASING
THEIR TRADE WITH US.
Comparative Figures Relative to the
Exports and Imports of
Jamaica.

countries adjacent to the United States,
and especially those of the West Indian
group, to trade with the United States Is
Illustrated by some figures just received
by the treasury bureau Of statistics regard
ing the commerce of Jamaica. These are
contained In a British colonial report on
Jamaica for 1S99-19OO- They show that
of the exports OF jamaica, 81 per cent
were sent to the United States in 1895. while
In 1900 the share sent to the United States
was 63.6 per cent. To the united kingdom
the share in 1895 was 27.6 per cent and in
1900. 1872 per cent. The report says: THE
value Of the exports from Jamaica which
go to the United States continues to in
crease in total value and In proportion to
the whole amount of the trade. The ex-
ports to the united kingdom diminish stead
lily. This tendency Is largely due to the
development of the fruit trade, which has
hitherto been almost exclusively with the
United States"
The increase in exports to the United
States has been accompanied by an increase
In the percentage Of Jamaican imports
which come from the United States. In
1896 the percentage Of jamaican imports
taken from the United States was 41.S per
cent, and in 1900, 43 per cent; while the
proportion from the united kingdom, which
in 1896 was 4S.1 per cent, was in 1900, 472
per cent. In neither imports nor exports
does the trade with Canada show any tn
crease. OF the exports, 1.6 per cent went
to Canada in 1895 and the same proportion
In 1900; while of the imports, I.5 per cent
were taken from Canada In 1896. and IL
per cent in 1900
The following statement from the re-
port shows the movements in the more
important articles of jamaican imports
and exports, and especially the share OF
that trade with the United States:
Products in Which We Lead.
'.The products named were shipped:
o1r, 10 ha JYpJto tod foto
and to the united kingdom, in the proper
ton of to 1. Fruit, almost exclusively to
the United States. and rum to the united
kingdom. OF the coffee, seven-eighths to
the United States, Germany and the united
kingdom, in the order named. LOgwood.
to seven countries, nearly two-thirds going
to the United States and Russia, the united
kingdom taking fifth place Pimento about
five-eighths to the United States and united
kingdom, In the order named; the remain
der principally to France and Germany.
Lesser products of some Importance, which
have increased more in proportion than
any Of the main staples, are cocoa, cocoa
nuts and ginger. OF the cocoa, nine-tenths
Is shipped to France, the united kingdom
and the United States. Cocoanuts, almost
exclusively to the United States. Most Of
the ginger to the united kingdom and
United States, in the proportion Of about
two to one
Taking each of the four classes under
which imports are now arranged, live ami
mails, food, drink and narcotics were val
ued at f676,3S3, as against f674,OA in 1899
Among animals, 1t Is interesting to note In
connection with bee keeping, a rising in
dustry, which the Jamaica Agricultural
Society has taken great pains to foster,
that bees to the value Of f2,664 were i'm
port ed ,as against fl ,0S2 in the previous year,
while there were no importations in 1898.
The placing of bees the free list two
years ago has evidently given a stimulus
to the industry.
sTIunport tiopa Of stock eSnacia1lv of
sheep have decreased considerably, owing
probably to the heavy duty now laid upon
them.
"Farinaceous foods, especially wheat and
other meal. also peas and beans, showed a
fair improvement over last year. while less
salt fish and more salt beef and pork was
imported, also smaller quantity Of alco-
holic liquors. Importations of manufac-
tured tobacco fell off from 12S,429 pounds
to 43, 900 pounds and from ELL ,239 to f2, $50
in value, while those Of tea slightly in
mutton in the importations Of luxuries and
an in crease in those of necessaries, not
locally produced or else not in sufficient
quantity.
Coal and Manufactured Goods.
RAW materials imported were valued
at f75 ,944, as against f63,2S8. an increase
of f12, ,65s Over 10000 Of this is due to
the increased importations Of coal, which
made up f6O,S69 out Of the total Of f75. .94.
Coal 1Or the past Two years mas Deen I'M
ported in greater quantity from the United
States than from the united kingdom, ow-
ing to the advantages both in cost and
freight offered by the former market. The
quantity bought from the United States
was 1880 tons in 1S99-19OO, as against
"a. 400 tons from Great Britain.
"Of the manufactured articles. textiles
were imported to the value of f417, ,454, as
against f4O.675 in 1s9S-99. The influx of
cotton goods from the United States
brought to notice by the collector general
as characteristi of the previous year
was increased In 1S99-19OO. Thus, cottons
from the states. including hosiery, were
valued at f4O,S29 In 1S9S-99, and f4SS79 in
1S99-19OO.
Metals imported were valued at f153, ,125,
against f23OO56 in 1S9S-99, the large de-
crease being chiefly due to the completion
and equipment Of the electric car system at
Kingston
Lumber imports diminished greatly, both
In quality and value, pitch pine and white
pine being valued together at f34 .S47, as
against f42,2O6 in 1S9S-99, indicating re-
stricted building operations.
"Oils, of which kerosene Is the chief in
creased in Imported value from f27 ,961 to
f35, ,45O."