The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-18
Step Forced by Lack of Ships Sufficient to Trans port Goods-Space Is Re quired for Necessities
DEGREE WILL HAVE
 MATERIAL EFFECT
 ON UNITED STATES
Private Automobiles, Musi-
 cal Instruments, Fancy Goods and Soaps Among Articles Put Under Ban

London, March 17.-A far-reaching order in council. which will totally prohibit importation into the United Kingdom of large number sf articles which come under the general heading of luxhrtes will be issued by the British government at an early date.
 Among the things which will be placed under the ban will be automobiles for prIvate use musical instruments, cut lery of all kinds, hardware, yarns, china ware fancy goods and soaps. The order will apply equally to all countries, in- cluding the British dominions and col- onies.
 This forecast of the coming order in council was given to the Associated Press today in an interview by Walter Runci- man. president of the board of trade. MT. Runciman admitted that articles in addition to those named would be placed on the list of prohibition imports, but in advance of the issuance of the order he declined to say what they are. He agreed that the decree would have con- siderable effect on exports from the Uni ted States but pointed out that it ap- piled to all countries alike and declared it was absolutely necessary to limit the shipment of bulky luxuries in order to provide room on ships for necessaries.
 FORCED ON COUNTRY
 But please remember said MT. Run ciman, that the issuance of this order is forced on the country-not as a mat ter of policy but entirely because of a shortage in tonnage. We want exports from the United States; we want your wheat, cotton and meat, and we need other things which we cannot get if the space aboard vessels is taken up with luxuries.
 '.Everything possible is being done to relieve the shortage in ships Every ship flying the British flag is now controlled by the government. Immense numbers of them have been requisitioned others are subject to direction by way of li- censes. Whether it will be necessary to reouisition more vessels, l cannot say: but for my own part I hope this will not be done.
 Mir Runciman said the importation of some fresh fruits probably would be pro- libited later, but he pointed out that this would affect the United States only. slightly Turning from the matter of iIn- ports to the general industrial situation in the British Isles, Mir. Runciman said there never had been greater activity in the larger industries, that wages were higher than ever before and that the percentage of unemployment. never had been so small ill the history of the coun- try.
 INDUSTRIES ACTIVE
 Tn all the larger industries" Mir Run ciman continued. there has never been greater activity, but the bulk of the output, of course, is for war purposes The only trades relatively quiet are the building, linen and some of the luxury producing trades, but even in these there is little unemployment. the working peo- pie either having secured other employ ment or gone into the army. Ihe amount of short time is comparatively small The proportion of unemployment in the trades unions at the present is about one-half of 1 per cent. In nor- nal times it is about per cent, and in time of peace it has scarcely ever fallen below 2 per cent. The same condition prevails in the nonunion trades.
 Those who have joined the forces have been replaced by young people, men be- yond the military age and large numbers of women Longer hours are being worked in nearly all the trades, and it Is estimated that this overtime represents an increase of 4ia per cent in the number of persons employed. A few firms have
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