New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-18
New Order-in Council
Includes Her
Colonies.
NEEDS SHIPROOM
FOR NECESSARIES
Ban Covers Autos and
Musical Instruments
Hits Trade with U. S.


Order in Council. which. will totally
prohibit importation into the United
Kingdom of a large number Of articles
which came under the general heading
Of luxuries. viii be issued by the Brit
ish government at an early date.
Among the things which will be
placed under the ban will be automo-
biles for private use, musical instru-
ments, cutlery of all kinds, hardware,
yarns, chinaware. fancy goods and
soaps. The order will apply equally 10
all countries, including the British
domnions and colonies.
This forecast Of the coming Order in
Council was given to-day by Walter
Runciman. President of the Board OF
Trade. Mr.. Runcimsn admitted that
articles in addition to those named
would be placed on the list Of pro-
hibited imports.
lie agreed that the decree would
have considerable effect on exports
from the United States, but pointed
out that it applied to all countries
alike. and declared it was absolutely
necessary 20 limit the shipment Of
bulky luxuries in order to provide
room on ships for neccssaries.
Shiproom Is Needed
"The issuance OF this order said
Mr.. Runciman, "is forced on the coun-
try. not as a matter of policy, but en-
tirely because Of shortage in ton
mage. We want exports from the
United States. We want your wheat,
cotton and meat, and we need other
things which We cannot get # the
space aboard vessels Is taken up win
luxuries.
Everything possible is being done to
relieve the shortage in ships Every
ship flying the British flag is now con-
trolled BY the government Immense
numbers of them have been requlsi-
toned. Others are subject 10 direction
bv way Of licenses No vessel IS per
mittcd 20 embark on any voyage with
out n license
Mr.. Runciman said the Importation
Of some fresh fruits probably would
be prohibited later. but he pointed out
that this would affect the United States
only slightly.
Referring 20 the general industrial
situation in the Brisn Isles. Mr. Runcl-
man said there had never been greater
activity in the larger industries, that
wages were higher than ever before
and that the percentage Of unemploy-
ment had never been so small IN the
history Of the country.
Activity in All Industries.
Tn all the larger industries" Mr..
Runciman continued. "there has never
been greater activity, but the bulk of
the output. Of course. is for war pur-
poses. Tho only trades relatively quiet
are the building. linen and some or the
luxury producing trades, but even IN
these there is little unemployment, the
working people either having secured
other employment or gone into the
army. Tn amount of short time IL
comparatively small
The proportion Of unemployment in
the trades unions at the present IS
about one-half of per cent. In nor
nal times it is about . per cent. The
same condition prevails in the nom
union trades.
"Those who have joined the forces
have been replaced by young petsohs'
men beyond the military age and large
numbers Of women. Longer hours are
being worked in nearly all the trades,
and il is estimated that this overtime
represents an increase of Al per cent
in the number Of persons employed.
"a few firms have had TO shut down,
but among the active firms only I per
cent Of their machinery was idle dur
ing December. This is a better record
than for peace times.
Big Increase in Wages.