TRADE OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND. 5 342 025 REPORT r. ON THE BADE OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND For the Year 1917, THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE or His MAJESTY'S TRADE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT MONTREAL. Presented Jo Parliament by Command of His Ittajesty. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. 37 To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: IMPERIAL HOUSE, KINGBWAY, LONDON, W.C.2, and 28, ABINGDON STREET, LONDON, S.W.I; PETER STREET, MANCHESTER; 1, ST. ANDREW'S CRESCENT, CARDIJF; 23, FORTH STREET, EDINBURGH; or from E PONSONBY. LTK., 116, GRA^TON STREET^ Du IN. 1918. Cd. 9159] Price M. Net. DEPARTMENTAL NOTE. Trade Commissioners have been appointed by the Board of Trade since 1908 in each of the oversea Dominions Canada (covering also Newfoundland), South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand with ;i view to the development of inter-imperial trade. The service has been extended this year (1918). One additional Trade Commissioner has been appointed in Canada, at Toronto, and it is hoped shortly also to appoint a Commissioner at Winnipeg. An additional Trade Commissioner has been appointed in South Africa, while Trade Commissioners have been appointed in India, in the Straits Settlements* and in^ Trinidad. Further Trade Commissioners will be appointed in the self-governing Dominions, in India and in other parts of the British Empire at an early date. The principal duties of these Commissioners are to advise the Board of Trade promptly of all opportunities which may arise for the extension of British trade, and in particular with regard to contracts open, or likely to be open, to tender; to report, as occasion requires, on the nature and extent of foreign competition with British merchandise, on alterations in customs duties and regulations and in commercial legislation generally, on financial and trade conditions, and on similar matters of commercial interest; and to furnish periodically lists of probable buyers of British goods. Most of this information, except that relating to buyers of British goods, is utilised by the Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence) either for publication in the weekly "Board of Trade Journal,"* or for com- munication to firms whose names are inscribed in the Department's " Special Register, "t or for communication to Chambers of Commerce and certain Trade Associations likely to be particularly interested. The Commissioners also reply to all enquiries on commercial subjects which may be addressed to them by British manufacturers and mer- chants. It is in general desirable, however, that enquiries of this sort should be addressed in the first instance to the Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence) at No. 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.G. 2, as that office is often in possession of the information sought, and is, consequently, in a position to save the enquirer much delay. Trade Correspondents have also been appointed at various important centres in the Dominions with a view to supplying local trade informa- tion and replying to enquiries affecting local trade conditions. The addresses of H.M. Trade Commissioners in Canada and Newfoundland, to which enquiries of the nature above referred to may be sent, are as follows: * To be obtained through any bookseller or direct from H.M. Stationery Office, Imperial House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2, price Cxi. f This relates to information of a more or less confidential character. Details as to obtaining the advantages of the service can be obtained from the Comptroller-General of the Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence), 73 Basinghall Street, Loin ion, E.C.2. * CANADA- MONTREAL TORONTO NEWFOUNDLAND Mr. G. T. Milne, 367, Beaver Hall Square, Montreal. Telegraphic Address : " Britcom." Mr. F. W. Field, 257-260, Confederation Life Buildings, Toronto. Telegraphic Address: " Toroncom." Mr. G. T. Milne, 367, Beaver ILill Square, Montreal. Telegraphic Address: "Britcom." The following are the names and addresses of the Imperial Trade Correspondents in Canada and Newfoundland : CANADA- ALBERTA BRITISH COLUMBIA MANITOBA NEW BRUNSWICK NOVA SCOTIA... ONTARIO QUEBEC NEWFOUNDLAND Mr. J. F. Sweeting, Industrial Section, Natural Resources Department, Canadian Pacific Railway Offices, Calgary. Mr. P. G. Shallcross, c/o Messrs. Shallcross, Maoaulay & Co., Ltd., 144, Water Street, Vancouver. Mr. J. J. Shallcross, c/o Messrs. Shallcross, Macaulay & Co., Ltd., P.O. Drawer, 7-30, Victoria . Mr. W. J. Healy, Free Press Building, Winnipeg. Mr. W. E. Anderson, 162, Prince William Street, St. John. Mr. E. A. Saunders, Board of Trade. Halifax. H.M. Trade Commissioner at Toronto acts as Correspondent . H.M. Trade Commissioner at Montreal acts as Correspondent. Mr. G. B. Ramsey, 53, Dalhousie Street, Quebec. Mr. H. W. Le Messurier, C.M.G., Deputy Minister and Assistant Collector of Customs, St. John's. NOTE. Mr. Milne has been transferred from Melbourne to Montreal and arrived at his post in July, 19.18. Mr. Field has been appointed H.M. Trade Commissioner at Toronto, and took up his official duties on April 2nd, 1918. Department of Overseas Trade, (Development and Intelligence), 73, Basinghall St., E.C.2. (18207 14c.) Wt. 13906a 83. 4125 & 90. 9/18. D & S. G. 4. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page INTRODUCTION 5 I. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN CANADA : General Conditions ... ... ... 6 Crops ... I 7 Minerals ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Fisheries and Forests ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Immigration ... ... ... H Census of Manufactures 8 Commercial failures ... ... 11 Railways ... ... ... ... 12 Building ... ... 12 Shipbuilding ... ... ... ... ... 12 British and other investments '. ... ... ... 12 Legislation affecting trade matters ... 13 Trade of the Provinces ... ... ... ... ... 14 II. UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS INTO CANADA, STATISTICALLY TREATED : Imports from U.K., U.S.A., and Japan compared ... ... ... 16 Imports of selected articles from U.K. and U.S.A. compared ... 16 Cotton goods ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Woollen goods ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Foodstuffs 17 Settlers' effects, &c. 17 III. SUGGESTIONS FOR UNITED KINGDOM MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS TO CANADA 18 REPORTS FROM IMPERIAL TRADE CORRESPONDENTS : IV. CANADIAN PROVINCES New Brunswick 21 Quebec ... 25 Ontario ... 27 Manitoba 40 Alberta 42 British Columbia 45 V. TRADE OF NEWFOUNDLAND 46 APPENDIX STATISTICAL RETURNS : Value of Imports into Canada for consumption of Dutiable and Free Goods for the 2 years ending 31st March, 1914 and 1917 compared 48 REPORT OX THE TRADE OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND For the Year 1917 BY THE OFPICBR-IN-CHARGE OP H.M. TRADE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT MONTREAL. Introductory Remarks. The most important fact bearing upon the economic situation of Canada during- the year .1917 was the entry of the United States into the war. Before that event, it seemed as though the United Kingdom, engrossed in manufacturing supplies of war for her own needs and for her Allies, would be compelled gradually to withdraw from the export trade to Canada. j^aturally, in such case, Canada, both on account of proximity to the United States and of the ever increasing means of communication between the two countries, would seek to obtain from the neighbouring Republic that part of her requirements previously obtained from the United Kingdom, which the latter was not in a position to supply her. The entry of the United States into the war in April, 1917, changed the situation, but, while the pressure has thus been relieved to some extent, the United Kingdom manufacturers have not been in a position to resume their former activities and to supply the demands from overseas. On the other hand, the United States authorities have found it imperative to curtail the export of much raw material which came freely into Canada before the entry of the United States into the war. Meanwhile, Canada is receiving immense orders both from the United Kingdom and from the United States for munitions and equipment needed for war purposes, and will have to rely mainly upon the United States to supply her with the raw material necessary for their manufac- ture. There still remain many industries concerned with the manufac- ture of articles of personal or household necessity, and for these Canada will be dependent more and more on her own resources while the war continues. Statesmen and business leaders are now urging upon the manufacturers of Canada to look ahead and consider ways and means to organise for an intense production to meet requirements, when the war ceases, of the home and export. markets. It is impossible to say exactly what effect there will be on Canadian prosperity upon the cessation of the war, but Canadian manufacturers may be expected to bring all possible influence to bear for the increase of tariffs on goods which it is anticipated that Canada can produce. United Kingdom manufacturers, when the war ceases and labour is once more available for peaceful purposes, should have no fear that they will not be able to regain the businesses they have been compelled to relinquish during the war, provided they maintain their system of supplying goods above reproach at reasonable prices. So far as the Canadian market is concerned, there will probably be large purchasing power available to absorb United Kingdom productions of a kind suitable for this country. The prosperity of Canada will depend (a) on the happy development of its agricultural and natural resources ; 18207 A 3 (6) the extension of its home manufactures; and (c) the development of an export trade in goods, which the Dominion may be able to produce more cheaply and economically than its competitors. The agricultural development must be settled by the attraction to the country of the right kind of immigrants (this phase is already in course of adjustment by the arrival of numbers of experienced American farmers with capital), but as to the number of returned soldiers or of the farming class who may emigrate from the United Kingdom or the Continent of Europe after the war, opinions are too widely divided to arrive at any reasonable conclusion. The extension of Canadian manu- factures will depend very largely upon the introduction of foreign capital, and the amount available for this purpose will depend upon the situation Avhich will prevail in the money markets of the world when the genera] settling day arrives. The export trade which Canada has now secured, after the most laudable and energetic efforts, will depend for its continuance upon the competition met with from other countries. In a later section of this Report are set out the difficulties which TJnited Kingdom exporters, entering the Canadian market, are likely to encounter, with a repetition of the suggestions, which have been put forth from time to time in the light of previous and present experience, for their assistance. I._ ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN CANADA. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The statistics of imports and exports for the four years ending 31st March, 1914 to 1917, inclusive, are as follows: IMPORTS OF MERCHANDISE FOR HOME DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION. EXPORTS. Years ending 31st March. Dutiable Free Goods. Goods. Tot?,l. Total. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. 1914 410,258,744 208,198,400 618,457,144 431,588,439 1915 279,792,195 175,654,117 455,446,312 409,418,836 1916 289,366,527 218,450,632 507,817,159 741,610,638 1917 461,733,609 383,622,697 845,356.306 1,151,375,768 1 Imports into Canada from the United Kingdom, the United States and from other countries of merchandise for home consumption were as follows : Years From From From ending United United other Total. 31st March. Kingdom. States. Countries. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. 1914 ... ... ... 132,070,362 395,565,328 90,821,454 618,457,144 1915 ... 90,158,119 296,632,506 68,655,687 455,446,312 1916 ... ... ... 77,404,361 370,496,574 59,916,224 507,817,159 1917 107,096,584 664,219,653 74,040,069 845,356,306 Compared with the fiscal year 1916, the imports for consumption for the year ending 31 March, 1917, show an increase of 0(5 '4 per cent. ; imports from the United Kingdom an increase of 38'4 per cent., from the United States 79'3 per cent., and from all other countries 2 ">() per cent. Crops. The definitive report on the area, yield and value of the principal field crops of Canada for the year 1917, as issued by the Census and Statistics office, gives the following figures as compared with 1915 and 1916: Crops. Area. Yield per Acre. Total Average T j Yield. Price Per y , Bushel. Acres. Bushels. Bushels. Dollars. Dollars. Wheat 1915 . 1916 1917 15,109,415 15,369,709 14,755,850 26-05 17-10 15-75 393,542,600 262,781,000 233,742,850 0-91 1-31 1 -U4 356,816,900 344,096,400 453,038,600 Oats 1915 1916 1917 11,555,681 10,996,487 13,313,400 40-24 37-30 30-25 464,954,400 410,211,000 403,009,800 0-36 0-51 0-69 171,009,100 210,957,500 277,065,300 Barley 1915 1916 1917 1,718,432 1,802,996 2,392,200 31-51 23-72 23-00 54,017,100 42,770,000 55,057,750 0-52 0-82 1-08 27.985,800 35,024,000 59,654.400 Eye 1915 1916 1917 121,677 148,404 211,880 20-43 19-38 18-25 2,486,200 2,876,400 3,857,200 0-77 1-11 1 62 1,921,900 3,196,000 6,267,200 Flax seed-- 1915 1916 1917 463,359 657,781 919,500 13-19 12-56 6-50 6,114,000 8,259,800 5,934,900 1-51 2-04 2-65 9,210,400 16,889,900 15,737,000 The report for 1917 proceeds : ' The year was notable for the backwardness of the spring and coiisr quent lateness of seeding, which made it impossible for farmers to sow , much wheat as would otherwise have been put in, and which therefore accounts for an expansion in the areas devoted to later sown crops. Severe frosts in the Prairie Provinces at the end of May caused a serious set-back, and a long period of drought and excessive heat, broken only by rains just before harvest, caused the western grain yields to be below the average. On the other hand, the grading quality of the grain was excel- lent, and this, with the further rise in prices, offset considerably the low yield. In the Maritime Provinces, where the seeding was also late, early frosts during September did much damage. Quebec had a poor season from the same causes and from excessive rains and heat. In Ontario the general conditions were excellent, and the season was on.' of the best on record." The total value of the field crops (including root and fodder crops) in 1917 is officially estimated at fl, 144,636,450, as compared with 1886,494,900 in 1916, and $825,370,600 in 1915. The total value of 1917 is the highest on record. 18207 A 4 Minerals. The preliminary report of the Department of Mines estimates that the total value of the metal and mineral production of Canada in 1917 was $192,982,837, compared with a value of $177,201,534 in 1916 (or an increase of 8'9 per cent.), while compared with a value of $137,109,171 in 1915, the increase is 40*8 per cent. The tonnage output, however, in many important products was con- siderably less in 1917 than in 1916. Coal, gypsum, cement, gold, silver, copper and lead are all much lower as regards output ; but there have been increases in the quantities mined of zinc, cobalt, molybdenite and nickel. Fisheries and Forests. Higher prices for all their products have placed these industries on a greatly improved basis, and the wage earners have been enabled to contribute substantially by their personal expendi- ture to the improvement of internal trade. Immigration. The official figures for the five years ending 31st March, 1913 to 1917, inclusive, are as follows: Fiscal Years ended 31st March. NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS. BRITISH. U.S.A. ; OTHER COUNTRIES. TOTAI ,S. Number. Per- centage. Number. Per- l ^ , Per- i Number, i centage. centage. 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 150,542 142,622 43,276 8,r,64 8,282 37-5 37-5 29-8 17-8 11-0 139,009 107,530 59,779 36,937 61,389 34-5 27-9 41-2 76-2 81-5 112,881 134,726 41,734 2,936 5,703 28-0 34-6 29-0 6-0 7-5 402,432 384 878 144,789 48,537 75,374 During the 7 months ending October, 1917, the arrivals were : British 1,524 U.S.A ... ... 53,039 Other countries ... ... ... ... 3,122 or a total of ... ... ... 57,685 against 46,156 in the corresponding period of 1916. The outstanding feature in these returns is the large proportion of immigrants of the farmer and farm labourer class, and of mechanics arriving from the United States. The agricultural prosperity of the Dominion has largely influenced arrivals of these desirable farming settlers, who are seeking cheap land and high prices for their produce. Census of Manufactures in Canada during 1915. In the Report on Trade of Canada for the year 1916 there was included (on page 9) a preliminary estimate of the number of establishments known to be in operation at the end of the year 1915. The revised and final figures have since been published, and it would seem advisable to include them in this report as an indication of the competition which United Kingdom manufacturers have to face as against local industries. T^o final analysis was made with a view to ascertaining the value added in the process of manufacture. Groups and Kinds of Industries. Establish ments. Capital. Cost of Materials. No. Dollars. Dollars. Food products... 6,472 199,205,254 301,618,217 Textiles 2,671 126,490,509 81,421),429 Iron and Steel products 851 195,877,015 59,2 i7,67() Timber and lumber and re- 3,187 263,588,882 59,212,349 manufactures. Lea -her and its finished pro- 524 60,269,498 45,201,497 ducts. Paper and printing ... 1,306 138,544,780 29,324,906 Liquors and beverages 341 52 .281,857 10,129,252 Chemicals and allied products 255 52,248,588 24,930.308 Clay, glass, and stone pro- 772 96,376,573 10,971,641 ducts. Metals and metal products 1,173 174,621,994 45,931,080 other than steel. Tob.tcco and its manufac- 166 23,066,898 16,017,707 ture. Vehicles for land transporta- 464 125,965,499 40,547,113 tion. Vessels for water transporta- 103 12,331,341 3,035,857 tion. Miscellaneous industries 1,437 441,132,723 56,324,658 Hand trades 1,584 32,0 '9,855 18,254,178 Totals 21,306 1,994,103,272 802,135,862 Value of Products. Dollars. 388,815,362 144,686,605 120,422.420 123,396,686 71,036,644 74,038,398 34,859,927 45,410,486 27,244,813 90,943,278 28,987,250 73,878,212 8,419,648 134,268,231 40,729,180 A detailed statement of the various establishments included under the heading of " Textile Industries " is also appended. Kinds of Textile Industries. Establish- ments. Capital. Cost of Materials. Value of Products. Awnings, tents and sails Bags, cotton 30 10 3 Dollars. 1,914,623 3,847,566 360,174 Dollars. 1,387,028 6,002,797 181,198 Dollars. 1,883,221 7,252,145 284,459 5 2,852,270 963,929 1,463,544 Clothing, men's custom Clothing, men's factory Cl 'thing, women's custom Clothing, women's factory Cordage, rope and twine 1,048 120 853 100 6 20 4,649,489 14,648,993 4,839,352 9,537,666 4,585,567 28,261,052 3,217,191 12,173,928 3,452,183 10,526,094 2,867,286 10,640,317 7,022,009 22,768,468 7,524,5*15 18,564,782 4,238,651 20,512,909 Embroidery Flax, dressed ... Furnishing goods, men's Hats, caps, and furs Hosiery and knit goods Laces and braids 3 11 70 159 73 7 3 24,720 1,327,8; 9 6,288,350 6,714,461 18,108,735 350,046 422,943 11.613 496,275 5,352,29ii 4,084,021 9,153,990 185,858 122.192 36,927 1,116,002 9,058,173 7,559,257 16,096,800 380,464 268015 Mats and rugs Neckwear. Quilted goods Regalia and society emblems ... Shoddy 7 9 3 4 9 134,054 639,877 187,353 50,532 1,177,667 62,440 516,681 48,177 24,581 727,683 125,007 940,168 177,293 66,266 1,307,228 Continued on next page. Kinds of Textile Industries. Establish- ments. Capital. Cost of Materials. Value of Products. Continued from previous page. Silk and silk goods Textiles, dyeing and finishing... Thread 4 3 4 Dollars. 1,487,913 89,316 1 779,863 Dollars. 495,036 29,116 648,536 Dollars. 1.277,044 85,231 1,869,926 Waterproof clothing iVool carding and fulling Woollen goods Woollen yarns ... Wool pulling All other industries 8 21 52 14 3 9 724,421 82,723 8,479,492 2,181,899 188,177 553,336 309,466 44,439 5,315,648 1,916,088 157,700 315,642 582,039 81,634 x,745,868 2,405,796 289,182 643,532 Total textiles 2,671 126,490,509 81,429,429 144,080,605 Since the census was completed a considerable addition has been made to the aggregate of Canadian industrial concerns, especially in the Textile and Metal Products trades. The following table shows the value of the manufactures of the Dominion, by Provinces, the figures having been taken from the Census of manufactures for the years noted : MANUFACTURES OP CANADA, BY PROVINCES. PROVINCE. - 1900. 1905. 1910. 1915. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Alberta *1,964,987 5,116,782 18,788,825 30,592,833 British Columbia 19,447,778 38,288,378 65,204,236 73,624,431 Manitoba 12,927,439 28,155,732 53,673,609 61,594,184 New Brunswick 20,972,470 22,133,951 35,422,302 37,832,034 Nova Scotia 23,592,513 32,574,323 52,706,184 70,860,756 Ontario 241,533,486 367,850,002 579,810,225 727,923,274 Prince Edward Island 2,326,708 1,851,615 3,136,470 2,646,469 Quebec 158,287,994 219,861,648 350,901,656 387,900,585 Saskatchewan ... (Included in 2,520,172 6,332,132 14,162,574 Alberta.) Totals 481,053,375 718,352,603 1,165,975,639 1,407,137,140 * Including Saskatchewan. The value of the products of establishments employing less than five hands, except in the case of a few industries, was omitted from the Census of 1910. The products of such establishments in 1915 were valued at $25,589,915. The following table shows the distribution of manufactures according to Provinces in 1915 : PROVINCE. Establish- ments. Capital. Salaried Employees. Wage Earning Employees. Cost of Materials. No. Dollars. No. No. Dollars. Alberta 584 42,239,693 1,242 6,013 21,121,43!) British Columbia 1.007 158,636,983 2,376 18,678 42,284,883 Manitoba 840 95,845,845 2,427 17,241 38.513,514 New Brunswick 714 46,290,014 1,482 15,941 21,495,324 Nova Scotia 968 126,539,183 2,330 31,251 37,738,161 Ontario 9,287 956,883,423 27,763 216,142 415,285,954 Prince Edward Island... 291 1,906,564 224 2,110 1,520,327 Quebec 7,158 548,972,575 14,084 134,245 216,497,844 Saskatchewan ... 457 16,788,992 755 2,866 7,678,416 Totals 21,306 1,994,103,272 52,683 444,487 802,135,802 11 The 10 most important manufacturing centres in Canada, according to value of products in 1915 (the latest figures available), are as follows : Cities. Value of manufac- tured products, 1915. Inc. per cent. 1900-1915. Dollars. Per cent. Montreal ... 243,237,575 242-11 Toronto 219,143,728 263-01 Hamilton ... 66,063.339 285-83 Winnipeg ... 47,686,070 453-44 Vancouver 33,871,044 578-75 Ottawa 18,947,325 148-04 Quebec 18,933,227 48-15 London* ... 18,885,212 132-51 Kitchener 16,408,401 396-09 Halifax 15,119,527 118-25 The percentage increase in the value of products is naturally larger in the newer cities. The Statistical Department of the Canadian Government requested each manufacturer, in making his return for 19.15, to report on such products of his establishment as he had reason to believe were destined for war purposes, and the results are summarized in the following Table, which includes only such goods as were actually delivered during the calendar year 1915. War Trade in Manufactures, 1915. Group. Value of war trade. Food products Textile Iron and steel products Timber and lumber and their re-manufactures Leather and its finished products ... ... Paper and printing Liquors and beverages ... Chemicals and allied products ... Clay, glass and stone products ... Metals and metal products other than iron and steel. Tobacco and its manufactures ... Vehicles for land transportation Vessels for water transportation Miscellaneous industries Hand trades . Dollars. 5,789,354 23,319,659 34,500,967 3,491,792 13,159,261 63,853 19,358 8,519,735 82,168 9,837,013 127,686 16,955,562 2,471,489 12,555,128 2,524,346 Total 133,417,371 Commercial Failures. According to Dun's Review, Canadian insolvencies during the calendar years 1917 numbered only 1,097, for a total liability of $18,241,465, or the lowest number and amount for over ten years past. The figures are compared with those of recent years in the following table : 12 Galen- Manufacturers. Traders. Agents and Brokers. Totals. 3 I year. Num- ber. Liabilities. Num- ber. Liabilities. Num- ber. Liabilities. Num- ber. Liabilities. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. 1917 261 7,455,"94 777 8,417,239 59 2,369,132 1,097 18,241,46f> 1916 363 8,796,646 1,237 12,290,368 85 3,982,520 1,685 25,069,584 1915 655 13,877,414 1,888 21,696,890 118 5,588,017 2,661 41,162,321 Railways. War exigencies have prevented railway construction, which in normal times is a necessary factor in the progress and develop- ment of the Dominion. A considerable mileage of tire rails on the lesser used sections of various lines has been removed and shipped to France for the use of the Allies during the past year. Recommendations for the increase of passenger and freight rates were under discussion at the close of the year. Building. The Building trades have necessarily been affected by the high cost of material and the shortage of labour, with the result that very little new work in this respect has been undertaken in the cities. Shipbuilding. Under the stress of important Government orders, shipbuilding is making advances on the East and West Coasts, at Mon- treal, Quebec, and other towns on the St. Lawrence, and on the Great Lakes. British and other Investments in Canada. The closing of the New York market in April, 1917, against any outside investments except under Government sanction, threw Canada entirely upon her own resources for the financing of the war. With the consent of the United States Treasury, the Canadian Government obtained in July from American bankers a loan of $100,000,000 for two years, but, with this exception, the War Loans, amounting to $150,000,000-5 per cent, at 96, issued in March. $419, 000,000- 5 percent, at par, issued in November. and about $12,000,000 in War Savings Certificates, have been taken up by the Canadian people. Prior to the war, it is estimated that the United Kingdom had invested in Canada about $3,000,000,000, chiefly in Government, Municipal, Rail- way and Corporation Securities. The following comparative table, distin- guishing the relative proportions of British, United States, and Canadian capital invested in such Bonds during the years 1909-1917, shows the rapid growth of United States financial control from the outbreak of war until the early part of 1916, the practical cessation of British invest- ment during the war period, and latterly the important petition taken by Canada as a purchaser of her own securities. This state of affairs has only been rendered possible by the prosperity of the Dominion owing to the rise in prices of agricultural products and the high wages and profits arising from the vast orders for munitions and supplies required by the Allies in Europe, and latterly by the United States. 13 Years. Percentage proportion of Capital invested in Government, etc., Bonds. United Kingdom. TT , j Q, Dominion of United States. ^ , Canada. 1909 Per cent. 74-00 81-50 76-56 72-65 74-25 68-25 14-20 1-50 0-60 Per cent. 3-90 1-50 6-58 11-35 13-65 19-75 42-10 64-90 24-40 Per cent. 22-10 1700 16-86 16-00 12-10 12-00 43-70 33-60 75-00 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 Legislation Affecting Trade Matters. An amendment to the Business Profits War Tax Act, 1916 (Chapter 6), increased the tax early in 1917 to 50 per cent, on profits in excess of 15 per cent, per annum but not exceeding 20 per cent, per annum, and to 75 per ceni. on proms in excess of 20 per cent, per annum. The original Act had taxed profits ti over 7 per cent, per annum by 25 per cent. The Income War Tax Act (Chapter 28) imposed a tax of 4 per cent. "D. all incomes exceeding $2,000 in the case of unmarried persons and widows or widowers without children, and exceeding $-3,000 in the case of other persons. There is also a sliding scale applicable to incomes exceeding $6,000, increasing from an extra 2 per cent, to an extra 25 per cent., the latter applying to incomes of over $100,000 per annum. By an Order in Council dated 4th July, 1917, the following regulations have been made concerning the valuation for Customs duty purposes of goods imported into Canada : " During the period of the war, until otherwise ordered, Customs duties on imported goods subject to art ad valorem rate may be accepted by Collectors of Customs in Canada at the fair market value of the goods at the time of purchase in the country whence exported directly to Canada, with an addition to such value of not more than 25 per centum when imported within nine months from the date on which such goods have been contracted for or ordered to be shipped to Canada, notwithstanding any greater advance in the value of the goods prior to their exportation to Canada." By an amending Order in Council, dated 4th October, 1917, the following provisions were added : " Provided that in respect of rolled iron or steel, galvanized or not. ordered by the importer on specification within nine months from the date of contract, and imported since the 4th July, 1917, within nine months from the time specified for exportation, duty may be accepted on the fair market value of the goods at the date of contract, with an addition to such value of not more than 25 per centum." By a further Order in Council of 22nd December, 1917, and subsequent amendments, it was provided that " 1. No intoxicating liquors shall be imported or brought into Canada on or after the 24th day of December, one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, unless actually purchased for importation into Canada before that day, and actually shipped by the vendor or consignor on or before the 31st day of January, one thousand nine hundred and eighteen, and 14 unless evidence satisfactory to the Minister of Customs of the purchase ond shipment having been so made is submitted to the said Minister. 2. The provisions of this Regulation shall not apply to (a) wine for use in Divine Service; (6) to intoxicating liquor for medicinal purposes; or {c) to intoxicating liquor for manufacturing or commercial purposes other than for the manufacture or use thereof as a beverage; provided that in any such case a special license permitting the importation into Canada oi such wine or intoxicating liquor for such purpose has been granted by the Minister of Customs, based upon a formal written evidence of permission, granted by the competent provincial authority to the importer, to possess and use or deal in such wine or intoxicating liquor for such purpose, or, if the Government of the province to which such wine or intoxicating liquor is destined has made no provision for such formal procedure, upon other evidence of such purpose satisfactory to the said Minister. 3. For the purposes of these Regulations, any beverage or liquor con- taining more than two and one-half per centum of proof spirits shall be deemed to be an intoxicating liquor. 4. These Regulations shall continue in force during the continuance of the present war, and for twelve months thereafter." TRADE OF THE PROVINCES. New Brunswick. Mr. W. E. Anderson (the Imperial Trade Cor- respondent at St. John) reports that all classes of labour in this Province are well employed. The agricultural output for 1917 was disappointing, owing to unfavourable weather conditions and shortage of labour. Importers have reduced their orders for United Kingdom goods in accordance with the shortage of supply, and have had to turn to the United States for necessary requirements. Many lines of goods which were formerly supplied by Germany and Austria are now coming from Japan, whose travellers and representatives are actively studying and canvassing the market. Mr. Anderson lays stress on the necessity for British manufacturers to investigate carefully the designs and styles demanded by Canadian t;iste. and to adopt the suggestions of their local representatives. Quebec. Great prosperity is noticeable throughout the Province, due to the high prices ruling for farm and garden products, the immense sums disbursed in wages to munition workers, the satisfactory returns of the pulp and paper and lumber companies, and the rapid growth of a shipbuilding industry with its concomitant demand for engineering sup- plies and fittings. Owing to general conditions, the number of sea-going vessels arrived in the port of Montreal during the year shows a further decrease, but the value of merchandise handled, due largely to enhanced prices, continues to grow. Trade of the Port of Montreal. Years. Sea-going Vessels arrivals. Total Tonnage. Value of Merchandise Exported. Value of Merchandise Imported. \ 1917 ''.'. 579 1,984,233 Dollars. 534,876,677 Dollars. 214,885,029 1916 698 2,134,456 382,741,463 194,924,348 1915 w 815 2,261,274 156,685,953 115,919.977 1914 916 2,755,518 119,478.589 140,591,068 1913 820 2,690,535 99,398,102 154,485,087 In his annual report on the trade of Quebec City and district, Mr. G. B. Ramsey (the Imperial Trade Correspondent at Quebec) lays particular stress on the recent change in conditions governing the dry goods business. Before the entry of the United States into the war it appeared as though the Canadian demand for textiles, owing to the difficulty in obtaining supplies from the United Kingdom, would turn largely to the United States. The latter country now finds itself with such a slight margin of goods for sale that it shows no disposition to press for business. Canadian textile mills are now endeavouring, not without a considerable measure of success, to cope with the local demand. The larger dry goods houses stocked up freely during 191(>, and are now making big profits. < hving to the high prices obtained for agricultural produce, the farmers of the Province are better off than they have ever been before. The timber and pulp trades have also had an exceedingly profitable year. Regarding imported goods in which the United Kingdom can normally compete, Mr. Ramsey reports a satisfactory and profitable trade in groceries and hardware, hampere/1 only by the difficulty in obtaining supplies. In glassware, attention is called to the fact that pressed glass goods are purchased preferably from the United States, finish and colour being considered better than in the British goods. For coloured and finer glassware, British makers continue to produce the better article. Ontario.- The continued receipt of war orders has been the primary cause of the intense prosperity of Ontario during 1917, the industrial plants of that Province, with few exceptions, being- called upon to work to full capacity. A comprehensive report on the year's work by Mr. F W. Field (the Imperial Trade Correspondent at Toronto)* is included in Part IV. of this Report. Western Provinces. The encouraging results of the past year are inducing every possible effort by the agricultural community of the Prairie Provinces to increase the output of grain and livestock in 1918. Manitoba. Mr. W. J. Healy (the Imperial Trade Correspondent at Winnipeg) states in his report that, notwithstanding the heavy enlistment from amongst the farming population, the grain crops of the Prairie Provinces have exceeded all expectations. A decline has occurred in the general demand for luxuries, but the sale of staple lines in dry goods, hardware, etc., has kept well up to tht average, notwithstanding a considerable advance in prices. Alberta. Much the same conditions prevail as in Manitoba, and Mr. J. F. Sweeting (the Imperial Trade Correspondent at Calgary) reports widespread prosperity, a notable evidence of which is seen in the activity of the automobile trade, and the establishment of garages and machine shops at country points of any importance. The demand for farm machinery is also very large. British Columbia. This Province continues to improve its position financially, as will be seen from the widespread subscriptions to the last Government loan, referred to in the report of Mr. P. G. Shallcross (the Imperial Trade Correspondent at Vancouver). The shipbuilding industry at Vancouver is becoming of first-rate importance. For further particulars regarding the Reports of the Imperial Trade Correspondents, see Chapter IV., page 21 et seq. * Mr. Field was appointed H.M. Trade Correspondent at Toronto ia April. 11*18. 16 II. UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS INTO CANADA FOR THE YEAR 1917 COMPARED STATISTICALLY WITH THOSE OF PREVIOUS YEARS AND FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. In the Appendix to this Report will be found a Table of the Imports into Canada of Dutiable and Free Goods from various countries for the two years ending 31st March, 1914 (the last full pre-war year), and 1917. In the following table the relative value of imports of merchandise during the years ended 31st March, 1914, 1916, and 1917, from the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan are placed side by side for purposes of comparison : Years ending 31st March. Value of Imports of Merchandise into Canada from United Kingdom. United States. Japan. Dutiable. Free. Dutiable. Free. Dutiable. Free. Thousands of Dollars. 1914 102,376 29,694 249,483' 146,083 1,464 1,140 '1916 52,009 25,395 199,467 171,030 2,178 1,837 1917 75,505 31,592 332,039 332,180 6,094 2,028 Dry Goods. The following statement shows the changes in the value of imports for consumption from the United Kingdom and United States, respectively, during the 8 months ended 30th November, 1917, as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year: Changes in value of Imports for Consumption. (Increase +, Decrease ). ury VTOOUB. From the United Kingdom. From the United States. Million dollars. Million dollars. Manufactures of cotton ... +0-82 + 5-48 of flax and hemp +0-06 + 0-73 of silk .. 1-16 -f-0-96 of wool ... 3-52 0-50 Boots, shoes, &c. ... +0-03 +0-15 Fancy articles . . - 0-27 +0-13 Furs, and manufactures of 0-05 +0-48 Gloves and mitts ... +0-02 +0-07 Hats, caps, &c. 0-10 +0-26 Oilcloth +0-11 +0-30 Ribbons .. ... ... 0-24 + 0-10 17 Cotton Goods. The most noticeable feature in comparing the im- ports from the United States and the United Kingdom during the eight months ending November, 1916 and 1917, is the great lead assumed by the United States in those goods which the United Kingdom is, in normal times, able to supply. In the importation of made-up clothing for ladies' wear there has been a considerable increase in favour of -the United States. There is no doubt that American styles are preferred, and that quick changes of fashion are more easily met by the neighbouring country. The demand for ladies' clothing, of the most fanciful colours and shapes, and without much regard to price, is decidedly increasing, as, owing to general shortage of clerical labour, the women of Canada are participating largely in the general prosperity and are filling the places in banks, offices and stores formerly occupied by men. GrOOdS. In woollen goods, the decreased importations from the United Kingdom are unavoidable, but make a serious difference in the returns. United States imports have also decreased during the latter part of the year, as a consequence of the embargoes found necessary since America entered the war. Foodstuffs. The same conditions which have affected the export of woollen goods from the United Kingdom are apparent in the returns of the imports -of groceries (excluding tea) into Canada, the United King- dom's share during the period under 'review having fallen by nearly 30 per cent, in 1917 as compared with 1916. The India and Ceylon tea which formerly reached Canada via the United Kingdom is now coming direct via Pacific ports, and appears under the returns of imports from British India. Settlers' Effects, &C. The values of settlers' effects brought into the country show clearly the movement of well-to-do farmers and mechanics from the United States, while articles for the use of the Army and Navy (i.e., chiefly raw materials required for the manufacture of munitions) have reached the unprecedented total of $110,853,000 imported from the United States, during the eight months ended 30th November, 1917. 18 III. SUGGESTIONS FOR UNITED KINGDOM MANUFAC- TURERS AND EXPORTERS TO CANADA. At this period of the war the most striking fact to a resident in Canada is the increased purchasing- power of large sections of the Canadian people, principally those engaged in agricultural work, the operatives employed in munition and equipment factories, and the younger women who have taken the place of men formerly engaged in banks, offices and shops. The enhanced cost of living has, so far, had little appreciable effect upon the spending jKtwer of the classes referred to. When the Avar ceases and United Kingdom firms are once again in a position to manufacture and to ship for overseas requirements, it is neces- sary that those firms who wish to regain their Canadian trade which has been lost meanwhile, or has materially declined, and those firms wishing to enter the market in competition with the manufacturers of the United States and Japan, should be in a position to resume or to commence opera- tions with a clear understanding of the task which lies before them. It seems, therefore, advisable in this place to recapitulate what has been written in the previous reports of H.M. Trade Commissioners in Canada, to point out the difficulties and to suggest the best course of action to pursue. The United Kingdom manufacturer who is not already represented, in one way or another, in the Dominion will not find it worth his while, as a general rule, to send catalogues even to a well-chosen list of prospective buyers of his goods, or to advertise even in a series of tradepapers suggested by competent advertising agents. The personal touch is the distinguishing feature of the Canadian market. When catalogues are judiciously mailed for distribution and use by representatives on this side, who are in close touch with the right kind of buyers, they should be prepared by a person intimately conversant with the Canadian trade in the specific goods to be sold. The great fault of the catalogues which reach Canada from the United Kingdom is that 1hey contain so many goods not suitable for this market. The prospective buyer, observing so many articles entirely unsuited to his requirements, is apt to throw away the catalogue in disgust, and will not trouble to go through it from end to end, marking the goods in which he is interested. Advertising matter of this kind should be well got up and artistically illustrated, where illustration is needful. This is a great point with American manufacturers, whose catalogues appeal to the buyer on account of the excellence of their arrangement, the full details given, and their artistic beauty. Prices should always be stated in Canadian currency (dollars and cents) ; weights should be given in centals (100 Ibs., not 1 cwt.) and short tons (2,000 Ibs., not 2,240 Ibs.). One ruling rate of discount should prevail throughout the list, not varying discounts for different articles. When the catalogue fulfils these conditions, a further most important point, if the list is intended for frequent reference, is its size. Pur- chasing agents on this side are in favour of a standard size to fit their ordinary filing systems, say, 8 ins. by 11 ins., or 9 ins. by 12 ins., the former being preferred. Anything smaller than 8 ins. by 10 ins. should be carefully avoided, as these small sizes are apt to escape notice when the file is rapidly turned over. Bulky catalogues are strongly objected to. 19 For a United Kingdom manufacturer, who produces goods which he ^considers suitable for the Canadian market, it should be necessary in the first place to decide whether (a) he will pursue tlie individualistic method, or whether (6) he should combine forces with other manufacturers who produce similar but not competitive goods, undertake a joint survey of the prospects, and, if a favourable decision is arrived at, open a selling agency in Canada, under one control, to handle the goods of the combination. In the case (a) of a manufacturer whose goods are of suc.li a character iis to indicate an individual course of action on his part, lie may decide : (1) To sell through an export agent in the United Kingdom who already has Canadian connections. (2) To investigate the Canadian market personally (by a visit of one of the partners in the business) or by sending a travelling representative, in whom he has entire confidence, to report upon the prospects. If it is decided after careful investigation to deal directly with Canadian buyers, the general methods followed may be summed up as : (i) To send the firm's travellers from the United Kingdom at regular intervals to call upon buyers in Canada. (ii) To sell only to jobbing or wholesale houses in Canada, under direct orders from them by mail or cable (based on samples, &c.). {iii) To appoint a reliable Canadian commission agent for the whole of the Dominion, or agents for different provinces or districts, as circumstances may dictate. (The tendency in Canada is for commission agents to attempt to combine too many agencies. It is, perhaps, advisable to make it a condition, when appointing an agent, that he shall not handle the agency of a competing firm, either American or British. Only agents of fairly long residence in the country should be appointed, and they should be familiar with every aspect of the trade, from the manufacturing to the selling end. Liberal salaries or commissions are necessary, the normal scale of wages being much higher than in the United Kingdom. Travelling expenses, also, must be liberal, on account of the great distances between important cities. Local agents are generally most favourably situated to deal with Provincial Governments, Municipalities, Government- owned Railways, &c.). ^iv) To open a branch office or offices in Canada. This method is only possible for firms whose output and prospective business will justify the annual expense of main- taining an office solely for their own use. When the class of trade calls for extended credit, such an office is advisable. A representative should be installed and the organisation put into working order, to take advantage of the situation inime- diatelv on the cessation of the war. 20 In the event (6) of a decision to combine with other manufacturers, after the market has been thoroughly investigated, the obvious courses are (1) to appoint a reliable selling a.gent to handle the good's of the combination, or . (2) to open a branch office (a central selling agency), the expenses oi which shall be borne by the affiliated firms in such proportion as they may decide. The remarks already made as to the choice of agents or representatives apply equally in this case. In the Report of H.M. Trade Commissioner for the year 1913 many important points were brought to the attention of I'nited Kingdom exporters, and I cannot do better than repeat, for their information, those which have not already been touched upon in the foregoing pages, viz. : (1) The necessity for a closer study of the technicalities of the export trade, e.fj., freights, insurance, exchange, packing, and casing of goods. (2) The requirements necessary to obtain the advantages of the pre- ferential section of the Tariff. Knowledge of the leading features of the Intermediate Tariff in favour of France, Belgium, Italy, the Nether- lauds, and certain other foreign countries. Intimate acquaintance with the Customs Laws and Regulations as compiled from the Customs Act, Order in Council, and Memoranda issued by the Customs Department. (3) A better knowledge of the terms and credits customarily given on this market to Canadian buyers. (4) The importance of fixing such a " Selling cost price," whether " Ex warehouse," or " f.o.b., U.K. Port," as will adequately cover the agent's commission and other incidental expenses. In many instances also more attention should be paid to the price at which the articles are retailed. (5) The adequate supply of samples, with due care that such samples are suitable for the Canadian market, and that the samples asked for by the agent are forwarded. (6) Better knowledge of the geographical features of the Dominion, and the distance between the various towns, as well as of the time occupied and the expense incurred by the agent travelling between the different distributing centres. (7) The necessity for the British principal to read the letters of his agent carefully, answering the questions addressed to him, and paying greater attention to the advice tendered. When this is in the nature of criticism, to try to remove the cause, rather than to assume that the agent is at fault and impertinent in making complaints. British princi- pals are blamed for omitting to reply to criticisms, as well as to enquiries made for information about their goods. 21 REPORTS FROM IMPERIAL TRADE CORRESPONDENTS. IV. CANADIAN PROVINCES. NEW BRUNSWICK. (By Mr. W. E. Anderson, Imperial Trade Correspondent (it >SV. John.) Business conditions throughout New Brunswick continued good during 1917, due largely to war orders, which kept all classes of labour well employed, and ready money was always available. The difficulties experienced by manufacturers and the wholesale trade in getting deliveries of goods during 1916 have not been so great in the past year. Importers have reduced their demands for British goods in accordance with the limited supplies available, and are handling lines of United States manufacture in much larger volume. Various lines of goods, formerly manufactured in Germany and Austria, are now being imported from Japan, and are proving very satisfactory both from the point of quality and design, and in promptness in delivery. Local merchants anti- cipate great developments in trade with Japan, particularly in crockery- ware, china, hardware and novelties. Japanese manufacturers and exporters already have their native representatives covering this ter- ritory, selling goods and studying the requirements of the market most diligently. Agriculture. Agricultural returns in 1917 were not so good as in the previous year, owing to weather conditions and shortage of labour. The following statistics show the production of certain lines for the past two years : 1916. 1917. Crops Acres. Bushels. Acres. Bushels. Wheat 14,367 284,985 15,331 231,860 Oats 194,311 5,833,963 190.914 4,470,453 Potatoes 44,583 8,148,807 50,406 5,631,393 Turnips ... 9,135 4,189,203 9,079 3,818,167 Great difficulty was experienced in getting competent help on the farms. Young men physically fit joined the colours, and a very large number of those left were attracted to the cities by high wages being made in munition plants. The situation in this respect is even more serious this year. Every possible effort is being made by the Provincial Government and local Boards of Trade to stimulate greater production in the agricultural districts, but, owing to the labour situation, it is doubtful if the production for 1916 will be exceeded. Shipbuilding. Some advance has been made in this industry during the year, but local interests have confined the efforts of ship- builders to the construction of wooden ships of three and four thousand tons capacity. Two of these vessels are about ready for launching. Several additional yards are starting with the opening of spring weather, an-1 the indications are that this will develop into an important industry in the immediate future. 22 At one time the City of St. John, X.B., was the fourth largest ship- owning port in the British Empire, but they were all wooden ships, and jxissibly from this fact no effort has been made locally to undertake the construction of steel ships. On the Pacific coast the construction of steel ships is being extensively developed, but for this purpose it is necessary to import about seventy-five per cent, of the necessary material from the Atlantic seaboard. In order to construct wooden ships on the Atlantic i-oast a large part of the necessary timber from the Pacific coast has t<> be imported, New Brunswick's big timber growth of former years having loAg since been cut down. As a shipping port St. John has enjoyed a most unprecedented development. It is only a matter of twenty years since some of the New Brunswick members of the Dominion Government felt obliged to tender their resignations to the House of Commons as a protest against the renewal of subsidized trans- Atlantic mail contracts to steamers landing at a United States port. That winter the first trans- Atlantic steamers with mails and freight docked in St. John's harbour. Results have proved the soundness of their protest as, according to Government statistics for the fiscal year ending March, 1917, the total trade of the port reached well over the two hundred million dollar mark in value of cargo, giving n the position of the second largest shipping port in Canada Montreal taking first place. Lumber. There are seven and three-quarter million acres of Crown lands in New Brunswick, principally lumber lands. The classification or ten thousand square miles of this territory which was surveyed last year showed the following commercial species of lumber: Black spruce, white spruce, white pine, balsam, fir, white birch, poplar, yellow birch, hemlock, white cedar, and maple. The lumber cut on Crown land.> during the season 1916 aggregated 162,132,621 sup. feet of spruce and pine logs; 62,534,376 ft, fir; 10,522,370 ft. cedar; 1,836,006 ft. hemlock: 1,258,165 ft, hardwood; 2,927,146 ft, poplar; 508 cords of wood; 54,086 railway ties; 2,320 telegraph poles; producing a revenue of $444,247.02 for the Provincial Treasury, viz., of $ 354, 042. 52 from stumpage. and $90,204.50 from timber licenses. Coal. The development of the coal areas of this district is of com- paratively recent date. The coal (bituminous) lies in strata ranging in thickness from eighteen to thirty inches, and is covered with a top soil which is easily removed with a steam shovel. As the surface under operation is cleared, the steam shovel is then used to lift the coal. The operation is principally mechanical and consequently at low cost. In certain areas the coal dips to a depth of sixty feet, necessitating shafts. For the past year the output has been approximately 125,000 tons, but ;ts 7iew areas are being operated it is expected that the output will he greatly increased during the present year. Gypsum. War conditions have greatly interfered with production during the r>ast year, only 41,360 tons being quarried as against 72,000 ions for 1916. There are immense deposits of the material in thi> district. Fifty per cent, of the product is manufactured into calcinated plaster and finds a ready market in Canada . Oil and Gas. Considerable development is being made in the oil and natural gas deposits located in Westmorland County. Large addi- tional territory has been secured during the year, new wells are being driven, old ones have been deepened, and a progressive course of develop- ment is being pursued. In 1916 these wells produced 610,118 thousand feet of natural gas and 1,345 barrels of petroleum. Copper. Immense deposits of copper ore exist in this district, but the mining' of this mineral is not being developed lo any extent. One mine in operation is producing- fifty tons of ore per day, and new machinerj* is being installed to increase this to 100 tons. United States financial interests have recently taken over a copper mine in Charlotte County for the purpose of development. Iron Ore. Immense deposits of hanmitite are located in various sections of the Province, but the ore is stated to be of such low grade foi ordinary purposes that it is not profitable to develop them. Brick Clay. At Albert Mines a bed of soft red shale, about thirty feet thick, is exposed on the east side of the valley, near the station, on the Salisbury and Albert railway. This shale has good plasticity and excellent working qualities. Dry press test pieces show that it is admirably adapted for making face brick of a bright red colour. It could be used in the manufacture of wire-cut building brick, hollow- ware or fire-proofing, roofing tile, field drain tile, and dry-pressed face brick. There are several other deposits in the same locality. Stony Creek shales would be suitable for hollow- ware or roofing tile. There are deposits at Moncton and vicinity, some of which might be suitable for hollow-ware or sewer pipe. Shale, rich in oil, exists at Baltimore and Albert Mines. The raw materials for the manufacture of structural clay products appear to be abundantly distributed over the principal part of the area. Special brick of various shades of colour, also roofing tile and floor tile can be produced from tlie.se deposits. Nearly all the shales described are suitable for the manufacture of farm tile. The above may be of special interest in view oi' the fact that there is an opening in this district for a brick and tile manufacturing plant, as ninety per cent, of these products are now imported. During the year the estimated value of mineral products was one million dollars. Fisheries. Sea fish caught in New Brunswick waters in 1916-17 were valued in an uncured state at $3,754,443. Their market value was 15,608,399. . With the inland fisheries added, the total market value amounted to $5, 656,859. The quantities and value of the leading fish in an uncured state are as follows: Kinds of Fish. Quantity. Value. Salmon Lobster Cod ... ... cwt. ... cwt. cwt. 16,917 99,455 200,560 Dollars. 214,344 595,375 501,400 Haddock Hake and Cusk Pollock Herring Mackerel Shad ... cwt. ... cwt. ... cwt. ... cwt. ... cwt. cwt. 27,345 115,727 47,395 539,339 11,407 4,607 63,827 157,095 70,935 542.519 91,256 32,896 Alewives Sardines Smelts Tom-cods Oysters Clams ... cwt. ... bis. ... cwt. ... cwt. ... bis. ... bis. 55,770 315,810 55,025 13,588 8,294 28,132 55,770 789,525 495,296 20,381 49,764 34,733 m 24 Engaged in the sea fisheries of New Brunswick there are : 1 steam vessel, 398 sailing and gasoline vessels, 9,159 boats, 60,915 nets, 518 weirs, 236,506 lobster traps, 161 lobster canneries, 7 sardine and clam canneries, 223 freezers and 1,357 smoke-houses. The total value of the sea-fishery equipment of the Province is placed at $4,376,213; of the inland-fisheries plant, $111,388, with a grand total of $4,487,601. There were 20,521 people engaged directly in the sea fisheries of the Province in 1916-17, and 1,278 in the inland fisheries, a total of 21,799. The Booth Fisheries Sardine Company, of Chicago, which operates sardine plants at St. Andrews in the Province of New Brunswick, and at Eastport and Lubec in the State cf Maine, is negotiating with the civic authorities of the City of St. John for certain privileges to enable them to establish a sardine plant in the City of St. John. The proposed plant is estimated to cost between $75,000 and $100,000. Local parties are also negotiating for similar privileges as the in- creasing catches of sardine herring in the harbour of St. John and about the Bay of Fundy promise a successful future for the sardine-packing business. Suggestions for Development of British Trade.- In the course of gathering information for this Report, merchants in the various lines of trade were asked how, in their opinion, the British manufacturer could secure a greater portion of the trade offering in this district. The answer, in almost every instance, was that British manufacturers and exporters should have representatives calling on the trade and, where their lines permitted, showing samples, and more important studying the requirements of the local market. One large firm, whose buyers cover the European and American markers several times a year, made the following- remarks: 'British manufacturers have not to any great degree investigated New Bruns- wick or Canadian requirements or conditions. They have been in- different to the designs and styles demanded by our people. They have been slow to adopt suggestions touching improvements. . . . The neglect of these vital things has hindered the development of British trade in Canada and compelled us to buy largely in the United States market." Also a large firm, dealers in china and glassware, has the following to say : " British manufacturers are slow to take advantage of the preferential tariff on British goods, also they do not manufacture goods suitable for the Canadian trade. " Remedies suggested would be, that the manufacturers send repre- sentatives who are progressive and possess initiative, and who would collect samples of shapes and patterns suitable for the Canadian trade and take them to their principals, who should take some action instead of shelving the samples, and declining to produce the goods because they are something different from what they have been making. The Japanese commenced collecting samples in the autumn of 1914; the result is that large shipments made from these samples have been coming into Canada during 1916-17, and are giving satisfaction, being copied from the medium-class goods, hitherto supplied by Germany and Austria. This trade has already been secured by the Japanese, and they are now collect- ing-samples of table glass, especially tumblers, which we expect will be on the market next year." In discussing the question with the wholesale boot and shoe trade, one wholesale and retail dealer with several branch establishments, who at one time handled a considerable quantity of British manufactured goods, claimed that he had been forced to procure these goods in the United States. His reason was that while the British goods are of better wearing quality, they cannot compete with the American in style and finish. The following suggestions for the development of British trade are offered from local dealers in boots and shoes : That the manufacturers copy more closely the American arid Canadian lasts, and That manufacturers have their own representatives covering the territory, with samples, or as an alternative, have established houses either in Montreal or Toronto as central depots, where full lines of English samples would be carried and where local buyers would go to select lines required . The buying capacity of the Maritime Provinces is rapidly increasing, and local merchants have no hesitation in saying that they will give the British manufacturers the preference of their trade if they will take advantage of their opportunity. QUEBEC. (By Mr. G. B. Ramsey, Imperial Trade Correspondent at Quebec.} Financial Conditions. The report of the Quebec Clearing House, which covers the Bank clearings for this City, represents very well the banking condition throughout the District, and shows an increase of $21,341,300.00 over 1916 (equal to ll'lO per cent.). This is an increase of 33 per cent, over 1914. Bankers report that bills have been met satisfactorily in connection with all lines of business, and that the demand for money is even more active than it was a year ago. Dry Goods. Conditions, so far as imports are concerned, have materially changed in the past 12 months. Last year importers were having difficulty in placing orders in the United Kingdom, and were securing much of their supplies from the United States. Almost immediately after the United States entered the war, diffi- culty was experienced in obtaining American goods, and at present there is little, if any, more competition for orders by the United States exporters and manufacturers than there is by British exporters and manufacturers. The Canadian importers have been thrown very largely upon the resources of the Canadian producers in many lines, and the Canadian manufacturers are meeting the demand very much more fully than was considered at all possible a comparatively short time ago. The United States Government has bought large quantities of under- wear from Canadian importers for the use of their troops, paying the advanced prices, and re-importing the goods to the United States, a very profitable business for the Canadian houses. In addition to this, the prices ruling in the United States are so excessive that the importa- tion of underwear into Canada has fallen off very greatly. Prices have increased in many lines almost 50 per cent, over the prices paid for similar goods during the first half of 1916. Groceries. The principal importers of groceries in Quebec report a very satisfactory trade during the year 1917, notwithstanding the restrictions on imports. Prices increased over those of 1916, but not apparently as much as in the case of dry goods. The turnover of the 20 grocery trade in Quebec has, however, considerably increased over that of 1916, and payments are said to have been satisfactory, though possibly not quite as good as at the close of 1916. There has been some uneasiness in regard to the supply of sugar, but, as a matter of fact, there has been ample available for all require- ments, and the possibility of any shortage is past. Timber. The British Admiralty and the French Admiralty have taken, at very satisfactory prices, all the square timber which could he shipped, and the United States demand has provided a market for all the sawn lumber which is offered at advanced prices, consequently the timber trade, which is one of the most important in this City and District, reports a very satisfactory and profitable year. Agriculture. The farmers in this District are much better off than they have ever been, as a result of high prices which have prevailed for agricultural products. Production in all lines is good, with the exception of potatoes, which in a great many places in this District were a failure on account of the very heavy rainfalls; this shortage, however, was offset by the abundant hay crop, which has always been the main- stay of the farmers in the vicinity of this City. The market prices for the principal agricultural products in this District are quoted as follows at this date: Potatoes, per bag of 90 Ibs., $2.20; hay, per ton of 2,000 Ibs., pressed. $16.00; butter, per lb., '38 c. to 45 c. ; eggs, per doz., fresh, 80 c., storage, 42 c. to 48 c. ; poultry, per lb., dressed, 28 c. to 32 c. ; beef, cattle, live weight, per lb., 11 c. to 12 c. ; hogs, per lb., dressed, 24i c. to 25 c. ; oats, per 68 Ibs., $1.95. Pulp. The trade in pulp and pulp wood from this District continued to increase at a very rapid rate, and last season was much the most profitable one that manufacturers have ever had. Glass and Chinaware, &C. Conditions continue the same .is already reported in this trade, pressed glass goods being purchased in the United States, the finish and colour being said to be better than the British goods. In coloured glassware and finer glassware the British makers continue to produce a rather better article. Shipping. The inward arrivals for 1917 show 323 vessels of 661, -{-32 tons register, as compared with 278 vessels of 737,328 tons in 1916. The principal tonnage* of imports from the United Kingdom was 10,878 tons of salt, 7,663 tons general cargo, 268 tons earthenware, 177 tons drain pipes, 294 tons whiting, 719 tons brick. As one of the results of the war, keels for five wooden vessels \\ere laid down in this District last year, but up to the present only one of these has been launched. Boots and Shoes. Owing to the very greatly increased cost of leather and labour, the price of boots and shoes has advanced so much that retailers have not l>een placing orders. As a result, manufacturers have not been able to clear out their stocks, the market is glutted, and the men have been on short time for some months past, but, no doubt, this condition will right itself before very long. 27 Hardware. The trade in all lines of hardware, except house hard- wares, continues exceptionally good, but the same difficulty exists, as in the dry goods trade, in obtaining necessary lines from the United Kingdom and the United States. Asbestos. Much the greater part of the asbestos produced in the world conies from this Province, and fortunately the past year has been a record one both as to prices and output, the value of the total output for 1917 being estimated at $6,250,000. Paper. Paper is also an important product in Quebec, and during the past year both production and prices have advanced. During the early part of the year wood pulp was selling at double its pre-war price; prices fell somewhat in the latter part of the year, but the demand is still good and the accumulation of stocks will soon be worked oft. Building Trade. Building continued fairly brisk in Quebec during 1916, differing in this respect from most other Canadian cities. but in 1917 there has been a considerable decline and the year closed with a large number of houses to rent in the City. This is due to some extent to overbuilding, and also largely to the closing of the Ross Rifle Factory by the Canadian Government, which affected some 1.500 skilled artisans who had to seek positions in other cities. ONTARIO. (By Mr. F. W. Field, Imperial Trade Correspondent at Toronto.}* A year ago it way possible to record a marked improvement in the financial, industrial and general business conditions of Ontario. A still further improvement occurred during 1917, the people of the Pro- vince being more fully occupied and prosperous than in any year since 1911 at least, when an active period of development was at its height. The primary cause of this condition was the continued receipt of war orders. From the outbreak of war to the end of 1917, the value of munitions orders placed in Canada by the Imperial Munitions Board, Ottawa, was $1,000,000,000. Of tins sum, $925,000,000 had been placed to the end of September, 1917. Credits had been arranged hv the Dominion Government for further purchases valued at $75,000,000, for the remaining three months of the year. Among gther purchases made in Canada since the war commenced, are those by the following Departments, chiefly on behalf of the United Kingdom: Purchased by Orders for Amount. 1. Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa 2. Dept. of Trade, Ottawa ... 3. War Office Service, Montreal 4. British Purchasing Commission 5. British Purchasing Commission Hay, oats, flour Wheat, flour, blankets, etc. Manufactured goods, sugar, etc. Cheese Wheat Total Dollars. 100,000,000 23,000,000 58,000,000 40,000,000 f!00,000,000 321,000,000 * Mr. Field was appointed H.M. Trade Commissioner at Toronto in April, 1918. f First credits arranged by Dominion Government to that extent, in the autumn of 1917. 28 The total war orders placed in Canada to the end of the year may be estimated at 1,812,000,000. About |600,000,000 of these orders were placed during- the past year. The orders of the Imperial Muni- tions Board alone, last year to September 30th, were valued at 1263,000,000. These large purchases have had a marked effect upon conditions in Ontario. Ontario is also fortunate in having large areas of well-settled agricultural lands. The furnishing by this Province of various war sup- plies, at substantial prices in great quantities, has: (1) Kept all available labour fully employed at good wages. (2) Given a notable stimulus to wholesale and retail business. . (3) Enhanced the purchasing power of the people. (4) Helped to accumulate savings rapidly. (5) Kept the majority of factory plants of the Province working %t capacity. (6) Given the manufacturers and farmers one of the best markets they have enjoyed for many years. (7) Improved credit conditions. (8) Assisted in placing industrial concerns in a strong financial position. (9) Brought into existence a generally sound business position. A reflection of some of these conditions is found in the statistics of export trade, taken from the Returns of the Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, as follows: . Exports of the products of Canada. Years ended 31st March, 1915. 1916. 1917. Dollars. 51,700,000 19,700,000 42,700,000 74,400,000 134,700,000 85,500,f that metal) and particularly to Ontario which in 1916 produced 21,975,942 ounces valued at $14,429,623, or 85.6 per cent, of the total silver output of Canada in that year, amounting to 25,669,172 ounces and valued at $16,854,635. The price of silver in JN"ew York on. September 21st, 1917, was $1.08 per ounce, .and in London on the same day 55f. per ounce, prices which have been equalled in only three months of the past 33 years. The Cobalt camp of Ontario is the principal contributor to Canada's output of silver. Since 1904, the first year of the camp, 255,189,988 ounces of silver, valued at $135,748,876 had been mined up to the end: of 1916. The following table, compiled from official records, shows the silver production of the Cobalt camp year by year : Production of Silver of Cobalt Camp. YTear. > Quantity. Value. j 1904 Ounces. 206,875 Dollars. 111.887 1905 2,451,356 1 360,503 1906 5,401,766 3,667,551 1907 10,023,311 6,155,391 1908 19,437,875 9,133,378 1909 25,897,825 12,461,576 1910 30,645,181 15,478,047 1911 31,507,791 15,953,847 1912 30,243,859 17,408,935 1913 29,681,975 16,553,981 1914 25,162,841 12,765,461 1915 24,746,534 12,135,816 1916 19,782,799 12,562,503 Total 255,189,988 135,748,876 Treatment Of Cobalt Ores. The silver ores of Cobalt are com- plex, and originally there was no place in Eastern Canada to treat them, so that all the early shipments went to smelters in the Eastern United 18207 B 34 States, only the richer ores being shipped. The ores contained other valuable constituents besides silver, and soon a number of Canadian enterprises were started, of which the two largest are now operating on an extensive scale, producing not only refined silver, but refined arsenic, cobalt and nickel, either as metals or in other saleable forms. There has been import ant development in the treatment of the low- grade ores of the Cobalt camp. The silver-bearing veins are narrow, but as they were taken out and mining development became more extensive, it was found that there still remained a large tonnage of low-grade silver-bearing material that could not pay the high freight and smelter charges without previous treatment. The first concentrating mill started operations in 1907 and others quickly followed, till at the present time there are 15 operating mills. The tonnage of ore increased from 50,000 tons in 1907 to 635,000 tons in 1916. The average reduction iii weight due to concentration is from 45 to 1, and as the percentage of values recovered is about 80, the increased value per ton of the concen- trate is about 36 times that of the original ore. An important metal- lurgical advance has been made by the introduction of oil-flotation. In the opinion of a Government mining engineer it is not likely that this method of concentration will supersede the standard method already in use- in the camp, but in many cases it can be made a valuable addition to the existing plants and the extraction can be bettered with only a small additional cost. Oil Flotation. The principle of oil flotation may be briefly stated as follows: If to a finely-ground pulp in water certain oils are added in small quantities and then aerated, it is found that the oils have an affinity for the metallic particles which they do not have for the gangue. The foam made by the oil carries off the metallic particles, thus making a concentrate which, while not by any means perfect, is still quite valuable to the Cobalt camp, as silver is one of the nietals that will thus float. The oils mostly used in Cobalt are pine oil, creosote, and coal tar. Recently it has been found that the expensive pine oil, which has to be imported, can be replaced by hardwood creosote oil of Canadian produc- tion. The adoption of oil flotation will not only make available for treatment large tonnages of tailings now being produced by the mills, but many tailings-dumps will also be recreated at a profit. The tonnage of such old tailings-dumps will amount to about 2i million tons. If we assume that at least 4 ounces per ton can be saved at a gross cost of 2 ounces, we have a profit on this material alone of nearly $4,000,000 at the present price of silver. Oil flotation will also make lower grade material treatable at a profit, increasing the available tonnage and tlius lengthening the life of the Camp. Cyanidation has been introduced to a greater or less degree in several of the mills, so that considerable bullion is now produced instead of a concentrate which had to be shipped out of the district for further refining. The mills mentioned were all for the treatment of low grade ores, and in the meantime all the high-grade ores, including concentrates, were shipped to the smelters. Two companies, the Nipissing and the Buffalo Mining Companies, determined to treat their high-grade ore at the mines, in order that they might have only bullion to ship. With this end in view each erected^a high-grade mill. The method employed was a combination amalgamation and cyanide treatment, about 97 per cent, of the extraction being made by amalgamation. The tendency has thus been more and more towards the complete refining of the silver at the mine, so that now four of the lending companies ship their whole product 35 in the form of refined silver bullion, while some of the remaining com- panies ship much of their product as bullion. With these two high- grade mills in Cobalt, and with the Comiagas and Deloro Smelters operating in Southern Ontario, most of the Cobalt ores are now treated in Canada, as is shown by a statement covering the calendar year 1915 : Cobalt Mills, Amalgamation and Cyanide 39% Southern Ontario Smelters ... ... ... ... 45 / United States Smelters ... 16% 100% Gold. The Porcupine Lake Gold district of Ontario has also made good progress. Production started in 1910 with $35,000, and had increased by 1916 to $9,398,000, which is 92% of Ontario's gold produc- tion. Ontario now occupies first place as a gold-producing province of the Dominion, with a production of $10,339,000, which is 57% of the total production of Canada. There are now eight producing companies, of which four are already paying dividends. The three largest mines, the Dome, the Hollinger and the Mclntyre, are making the Porcupine District famous. The Hollinger mine has paid $7, 456, 000 in dividends to the end of 1916, and with the dividends of the Dome and Porcupine- Crown, a total of $9,162,000 has already been reached. The Mclntyre joined the list of dividend payers early in 1917, and has developed a good ore shoot on the 1,000 foot level. Other discoveries have also been made, and new districts are coming into prominence. In Munro township, 50 miles east of Porcupine and 10 miles east from the railway, the Croesus Gold Mine shipped two tons of ore that contained $35,500 in gold, and this, along with $40,000 to be recovered by milling, was produced by sinking a small shaft 110 feet deep. At a depth of 300 feet development continues to be satisfactory, and a mill is now being erected. At Kirklancl Lake, 35 miles further south-east, and 7 miles from Swastika, on the railway, several mines are developing, of which the Tough-Oakes, with its narrow rich gold veins, is already a dividend payer. At Boston Creek, 10 miles further south, rich gold ore has also been found, and already there is one small producer. Public Works, &C. There has been an almost complete cessation in construction of new public works. Only the most urgent and necessary have proceeded. In many cases work already commenced has been stopped, such, for example, as the Welland Canal enlargement. This is due to war conditions, and particularly the difficulty of raising funds for such works, war loans having the right of way in the money markets. Municipal expenditures have been reduced to a minimum, as municipali- ties have been unable to market their bonds. This position has had the effect of greatly lessening the demand for all kinds of machinery and materials. The effects of war conditions have been more pronounced in that direction than in previous years. The construction of several hotels, theatres, churches, pulp and paper mills, factories, and a large departmental store has been postponed. Among the larger enterprises in this Province, on which work is being continued, are the new Union Station and the Harbour improvements at Toronto, and the Ontario Hydro-Electric Commission power plant at Chippewa, Ontario. It is likely that the work on the Harbour improve- ments will be curtailed. Work in connection with the power plant mentioned is proceeding somewhat slowly. About 400 men were doing <>xc.nvation work last autumn. That will be the principal work in this connection during the spring of 1918 also. 36 Ontario Hydro-Electric Commission. As explained in pre- vious reports, the Ontario Hydro-Electric Commission is a department of the Ontario Government which transmits electric power throughout the Province to its customers, which include municipalities, street railways (tramways), and factories. The Commission, which formerly only transmitted electric power, now has 5 comparatively small plants in various parts of the Province, and is taking power also. from private plants and from a plant acquired last year at Niagara Falls. The horsepower developed at the 5 small plants is, approximately, 38,000, and at Niagara Falls (for the Commission's customers) 210,000. The Commission last year acquired the Ontario Power Company's plant at Niagara Falls, at a cost of, approximately, f 30,000, 000. The Com- mission issued |8,000,000 of bonds in payment for the company's stock, and assumed its bonded indebtedness. Of the 210,000 h^p. obtained at Niagara Falls, about 150,000 is distributed to customers in Ontario and 60,000 to customers in the United States, the latter distri- bution being contracts taken over by the Commission when it acquired the Ontario Power Company. The Commission has purchased various kinds of excavating machinery and materials, but probably will not be in the market for power plant until late in 1918, and possibly not then. The Hydro-Electric Commission is rapidly becoming one of the largest concerns of its kind on this continent. With probable extension and development after the war, it will undoubtedly be a very substantial buyer of power plant and accessories. Many of those closely associated with the enterprise predict that with the cheap power available a large and important group of chemical and allied manufacturing plants will be established in the Niagara peninsula. Already a number of such companies have built their plants in that section, having operated in certain cases for some years. A shortage of coal has been experienced in Ontario from time to time, particularly during the winter of 1916, and to a lesser extent during the winter of 1917. Ontario obtains its coal supply from the Pennsylvania fields of the United States. During the past autumn coal was imported by Canada only under the special license of the United States authorities. In view of this situation, exceptional interest has been taken in the development of electric power by the Ontario Hydro-Electric Commis- sion and in the export of electric power by Canada to manufacturers in the United States. Sir Henry L. Drayton, chairman of the Dominion Railway Board, was appointed by the Dominion Government in October as " controller of the production and distribution of electrical energy by companies generating or distributing electrical energy in the Province of Ontario." His duties, as defined in an Order-in-Council, are " to determine preferences and priorities in supply of such electrical energy, to the end that a sufficient supply shall be furnished to factories and users engaged, directly or indirectly, in munition work or work for any of the Allied Governments, and also for municipal and public utility requirements." He will also restrict the disposal of electrical energy to users other than those mentioned above until such preferences and priorities have first b)een met. In the event of a dispute between a power company and a customer coming within the preference class, the controller will fix the price at which electricity is to be supplied. Motor Vehicles. The number of motor vehicles in Ontario con- tinues to increase rapidly. There are 75,000 motor-cars in the Province, an increase of 25,000 during 1917. The total revenue derived "from the issue of automobile licences last year to September, 1917, was $900,000. The use of motor-cars is well distributed amongst the various classes of buyers. The smaller cars are largely used for business purposes; for example, by commercial travellers and for the delivery of small goods, as well as for pleasure purposes. In many of the larger private estab- lishments, the tendency to maintain more than one car is increasing. Motor-car dealers report haying had an excellent year's business in 1917, and regard the outlook for 1918 as* good, so long as they are able to obtain deliveries from the manufacturers. With the continuance of the war there is a distinct probability that United States and Canadian car factories and assembling plants will be unable to supply the ordinary demand for commercial and pleasure purposes on account of difficulty *n obtaining raw materials and the diversion of cars to war purposes. The increasing price of petrol has had little effect on the purchase or use of cars in Ontario during the past year. The driving of cars by ladies is increasing to a notable extent. Pood Control. In 1917, for the first time, the people of Ontario and of Canada generally were subject to the regulations of a Food Controller, who was appointed in the late spring. The aims of the Controller, as publicly stated, are as follows: (1) To have available as large a quantity as possible of suitable foods for the Allied armies. (2) To have available as large a quantity as possible of suitable foods for the civilian populations of Great Britain and the Allies. (3) To have sufficient and suitable food at reasonable prices for the civilian population of Canada. Among the Food Controller's activities during 1917 have been the following : (1) Regulation restricting the use of beef and bacon and requiring substitutes for white bread in public eating houses. (2) Campaign inaugurated to encourage the use of fish, for better transportation of fish, and to increase production. (3) A committee is dealing with the potato situation to ensure satisfactory distribution and to encourage consumption and to save bread. (4) Profits of millers have been limited to a maximum of 25 cents on the milling of sufficient wheat to make a barrel of flour of 196 Ibs. and the offals produced in connection with such milling. (5) Arrangements have been made for the milling in Canada of three standard grades of flour, representing the highest extraction of the wheat that will make a wholesome loaf. (6) Profits of wholesale dealers in fruit and vegetables are to be kept within a reasonable percentage. Retail Pood Prices. The rise in retail food prices continued during 1917. The following table, compiled from figures of the Depart- ment of Labour, Ottawa, shows the cost per week of a family budget of certain staple foods, fuel and lighting and rent, in terms of the averse 18207 C 38 retail prices in 60 cities in Canada. The figures are the average for the year 1910 and for January, 1914, and August, 1917. 1914 1917 1910 Jan. Aug. 21bs. ct. 37-6 ct. 46-4 ct. 62-6 1 16-8 20-9 28-8 1 18-0 20-6 30-6 34-4 36-2 55-6 1 24-5 24-8 40-4 2 40-6 37-2 62-2 Egg, fresh * 1 doz. 33-3 45-5 45-0 Milk ' ... 6 qts. 48-0 55-2 60-0 2 52-0 61-0 80-2 Butter creamery ... 1 31-9 35-9 44-9 1 18-5 21-3 33-5 1 17-5 19-6 30-1 Bread plain white . .. . .. ... ... 15 66-0 64-2 110-0 10 33-0 32-0 69-0 2 10-4 12-0 17-2 Sugar granulated ... . .. ... . .. 4 24-0 22-8 40-4 2 10-8 10-2 18-6 Tea black i 8-7 9-1 12-0 9-1 9-2 11-6 Coffee i 8-9 9-5 10-1 Potatoes ... ... ... ... ... 2 pks. 30-3 38-0 97-3 6-954 7-729 11-677 Starch laundry ... ... ... ... 3 Ib ct. 3-1 ct. 3-2 ct. 4-1 Goal anthracite ... ... ... ... i*g ton. 48-1 54-1 67-7 35-0 37-1 54-2 cord 38-8 42-9 f>3 2 29-4 32-1 39-1 1 gal. 24-4 23-9 25-8 Fuel and lighting $ ... 1-757 1-901 2-40 Rent $ 4*05 4 830 4-36 Grand total ... $ ... 12-792 14-493 18-478 In Ontario the cost per week of the family budget has increased as follows : Year. Weekly cost of family budget. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Aug. 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1917 111.66 12.00 12,91 13.11 13.30 13.57 13.69 16.24 18.59 39 Wholesale Prices. The advance in grain, especially wheat, was the chief feature of the movement in wholesale prices during the early part of the war, but metals and chemicals soon began to advance also, and rose sharply about the end of 1915. There was, however, a con- siderable fall in zinc as production had been greatly increased on account of the high prices in the spring. From June, 1915, to August, 1916, the prices of foods were comparatively steady, owing to the large crops of 1915, but cheese, butter, fish and meats constantly tended to move higher. The short crops of 1916, however, caused such a prospective shortage in foods that the advances in these lines were the feature of the prices movement during the latter part of 1916 and the first six months of 1917, although considerable advances appeared in nearly all groups. The following table, compiled from figures of the Department of Labour, Ottawa, shows the index number of wholesale prices in Canada by groups of commodities for the periods named. The index number 100 is based on the average price from the years 1890 to 1899: 1910. Jan., 1914 Aug., 1917 I Grains and Fodder ... ... ... 140-7 140-9 294-7 II Animals and Meats ... ... ... ... 163-6 194-2 289-2 Ill Dairy Products ... ... ... ... ... 135-7 179-9 225-2 IV Fish 145-1 153-9 190-4 V. Other Foods : (a) Fruits and Vegetables 111-5 112-7 125-2 112-9 258-1 225-7 VI Textiles 114-6 135-2 274-1 VII. Hides, Leather, Boots and Shoes VIII. Metals and Implements : (a) Metals ... ... ... ... ... 135-4 97-6 168-1 114-7 269-7 278-0 104-5 106-6 200-7 IX Fuel and Lighting ... ... ... ... 103-0 113-6 205-8 X. Building Materials : 158-5 183-5 221-3 109-2 114-4) 216-1 (c) Paints, Oils and Glass XI House Furnishings ... ... ... ... 145-5 110-6 140-2 128-8 259-6 198-4 XII Drugs and Chemical ... ... ... 109-5 111-1 262-8 XIII. Miscellaneous : 234-5 226-5 388-4 (&) Liquors and Tobacco 132-9 118-0 138-8 109-3 175-5 196-5 124-2 136-5 245-0 * Preliminary figures. Fuel Control. The importation, distribution, sale and delivery of coal in Ontario and Canada generally was regulated last year, for the first time, by a Fuel Controller appointed in September, 1917. The right to import coal into Canada or to engage in the business of selling coal as a broker, wholesaler or retailer is made subject to license by the Fuel Controller. The regulations provide the fixing of prices at which coal may be sold wholesale and retail. Coal operators in Canada, outside of Britis* Columbia and certain parts of Alberta, may be required to enter into agreements with the Fuel Controller, fixing the maximum prices to be charged for their output. The commissions or profits that may be derived in coal transactions by brokers, wholesalers and retailers are fixed at $0.30, $0.35, and $0.50 per net ton, respectively. In deter- mining the maximum prices to be charged by wholesalers or retailers the 18207 c 2 40 basis of the computation is to he actual delivered cost on the first or sixteenth of the current month, with the addition of the expenses in- curred and the permitted commission or profit. With certain exceptions, and subject to contracts existing- at the date of the regulations, no broker or dealer may sell or deliver to a consumer a quantity of coal which, added to the quantity already in the possession of the purchaser, would constitute more than an estimated supply suffi- cient, for the consumer's needs for two months, and certificate to that effect may be required at the time of purchase. No such limit will be imposed, however, during the period from April 1 to September 1 of each year, and an exception is made for railways, munitions plants, and certain institutions, as well as for coal for other purposes, when the quantity does not exceed 3 tons. In, case of emergency the Fuel Con- troller may requisition stocks of coal in excess of the supply permitted. Legislation. The Bulk Sales Act of Ontario became operative in the Province on October 1st, 1917. The Liquor prohibition measure of Ontario is in its second year of operation, and will continue for three years in all, the people then voting as to whether or not they desire it to continue. There is a possibility that during 1918 a Federal Bankruptcy law may be enacted. This would operate throughout Canada. The Military Service Act of Canada became law last year. Class 1 (single men and widowers without children, between the ages of 20 and 34) were required to register by November 10th. The Exemption Tribunals commenced their hearing of the claims for exemption on November 8th. The withdrawal of male labour for the army under this Act will naturally increase the shortage of skilled and unskilled labour. It is likely that female labour will be more extensively employed in Ontario than in the past. Outlook for 1918. The general business prospects in Ontario dur- ing 1918 are good, having regard to war conditions. Owing to substantial production in factory and on farm, the high prices received for all confmodities and the greater economy practised by the people, the purchasing power of the Province has been still more increased. While there was a tendency last year to indulge in luxuries inconsistent with times of war, that is likely to be checked both by voluntary action and by regulation. Wholesale and retail business in the necessities and staple lines will probably be excellent. The labour shortage is likely to be more Scute than in 1917, although the greater employment of women and of returned soldiers will mitigate this condition. Commercial failures have decreased in number during the past few years. Individuals generally, and business industries and financial corporations, are in a sound mone- tary position. The Province of Ontario is in excellent condition as a whole, and were it not. for the shadow of war the population would be in a position to transact a large volume of business under the best financial conditions. MANITOBA. (By Mr. W. J. Healy, Imperial Trade Correspondent at Winnipeg.) The total volume of trade throughout- Western Canada during 1917 has been equal to that done during 1916, if not greater. The whole- salers of Winnipeg and the other distributing points throughout the Prairie Provinces have had fliffic ulties to contend with in the delavs 41 they experienced iii getting" their orders filled and in the sharp advances in the prices in many lines by the manufacturers, but, on the whole, they have had a remarkably satisfactory year, not alone in the volume of business done, but in the steady improvement in collections throughout the West. The record made by the year 1916 for the smallest number of failures of retailers has been bettered by the past year. Hardware. The sale of staple lines has shown a marked increase. While the activity in building in some western cities and towns showed an improvement in 1917 over 1916, there was not a remarkable improve- ment in the demand for builders' hardware ; the sales were better, but not in proportion to the increase in building activity. Many of the retailers still had stocks on hand from the previous year. A steady demand for shelf hardware was in evidence all through the year, and the wholesalers report that the volume of business was in excess of that during 1916. Prices in all hardware lines rose rapidly during the first ten months of the year, but declines in some lines have occurred since the United States Government fixed the prices for various lines of metals. Iron pipe, \ inch, black, was $3.78 per 100 feet here on 31st December, 1916, and $6.08 on 31st December, 1917 ; galvanized pipe was $6.30 and $8.42; wire nails, per keg, $5.10 and $6.00; black steel sheets, 10 gauge, $5.70 and $8.25 (the latter price being a decline from $11 in October) ; bar iron, $3.60 and $5.60; galvanized iron, lOf oz., $7.75 and $11; tin plates, 20 x 28, I.C., per box, $18 and $30; pressed spikes, inch, $4.65 and $9.15; bright wire staples, per cwt., $5.10 and $6.25, respectively. Dry goods. Wholesale dry goods merchants have at no time during the year experienced difficulty in obtaining orders from the retail trade. The present situation in the country districts in regard to stocks of " piece goods " is, by all accounts, very satisfactory, but some retail dealers are reported to be overstocked with men's furnishings. Owing to late deliveries, wholesalers, in many cases, will have to carry rather heavy stocks of winter goods over until next fall, particularly winter goods of Canadian manufacture. Shipments from the United Kingdom, especially of cotton goods, have been arriving in steady volume, and the wholesalers expect to be w r ell able to take care of their spring orders. While the volume of dry goods handled during the year 1917 cannot be said to show any increase over the previous year, the cash turnover is considerably greater. Boots and Shoes. The boot and shoe jobbers had difficulty in obtaining shipments from the manufacturers early in the year to fill their spring orders, but this condition disappeared during the summer and the manufacturers were in a position to accept all orders. It is expected that the coming into operation of the Military Service Act will cause the jobbers some difficulty in obtaining orders during 1918, as the manufacturers will be filling Army orders. Speaking generally of all lines of merchandise, the indications are that the end of the year found the retail dealers throughout the Prairie Provinces fairly well stocked up. In not a few cases there has been rather a tendency to overbuy in order to provide against the contingency of a shortage of goods, and this feeling was encouraged by commercial travellers desirous of doing a large volume of business. So long as prices keep up, this will have no very ill effect, except that the overdue liability may increase, but as this is now at a minimum, the situation is regarded as satisfactory, with a prospect of a slight slackening in sales, and of collections better than ever. 43 Crops. The grain crop of the Prairie Provinces has exceeded all expectations. The wheat crop yielded close upon 215,000,000 bushels, of which total an exceptionally large proportion is of the higher grades ; both in quantity and in quality the wheat crop greatly exceeds that of any of the past ten years. The total acreage in wheat in 1917 was 13^800,000; in oats, 7,470,000; in barley, 1,400,000; and in flax, 090,000. The yield of oats was 195,000,000 bushels, of barley, 39,000,000 bushels, and of flax, 5,500,000 bushels. As the price of the wheat is fixed for the different grades, it is possible to arrive at a fairly accurate estimate of the whole wheat crop, of which some 75,000,000 bushels is still in the farmers' hands (inclusive of the 25,000,000 bushels required for seed). It is estimated that the total value of the 1917 wheat crop of Western Canada will be about f 460,000, 000. The amount realised on the wheat inspected up to the end of the year was $238,409,160, as against $161,389,955 to the end of 1916; on' the oats, $16,866,670, as against $22,135,625 ; barley, $6,204,473, as against $6,891,187; and flax, $8,045,034, as against $6,851,883. Livestock. The receipts of livestock at the Union Stockyards at Winnipeg up to 31st December, 1917, were 286,651 cattle, worth $25,854,188, as against 158,949, worth $10,654,375, during 1916; 372,168 hogs, worth $11,165,000 as against 317,821, worth $6,356,426 in 1916; 23,575 sheep, worth $11,165,040, as against 20,590, worth $6,356,420, in 1916; and 11,243 horses, worth $2,140,000, as against 8,684, worth $2,152,200, in 1916. Dairy products. The output of dairy products in Manitoba during 1917 was 7,526,356 pounds of creamery butter, 3,979,515 pounds of dairy butter, and 1,093,887 pounds of cheese, as against 6,574,510 pounds, 4,423,289 pounds, and 880,728 pounds, respectively, in 1916. The total value of these products is $4,352,262, an increase of $1,039,537 over 1916. The Manitoba Commissioner of Dairying notes this as being " most encouraging, notwithstanding the very heavy enlistment from the agri- cultural population." He adds: "During the year 1916, ninety car- loads of creamery butter, amounting to 2,000,000 pounds, have been exported from the Province. When we take into consideration that in the year 1907 fifty-five carloads were imported to supply the needs of our own market, the change is very gratifying, indicating a marked tendency towards mixed farming." The vigorous, persistent activity by every public and private agency of influence with a view to securing the greatest possible increase in all agricultural production has already had notable results, and much greater results in the coming year are looked for, especially in hog pro- duction, in which an increase of from 25 to 50 per cent, is confidently counted upon in the three Prairie Provinces. ALBERTA. (By Mr. J. F. Sweeting, Imperial Trade Correspondent at Calgary.) The wholesale trade has been larger than at any previous period, while collections have been good. The retail trade has been excellent, and cash business has greatly increased as a result of good grain crops and high prices both for grain and stock. The spirit of economy which should be brought about by war conditions has not attained any great hold in the Province yet, as there is no shortage of any necessary com- modity, and, though the prices are higher, earnings have considerably increased. This condition can be applied to all the three Prairie Provinces. 43 Manufacturing has been brisk in packing products, flour and breakfast foods, and other articles for war purposes. The motor-car trade has increased enormously, and with it has come the establishment of garages and machine shops at most of the country points. Most of these garage owners are also agents for cars. The farm machinery business has been conducted on a large scale, and conditions promise a considerable increase next year, providing machinery is available. As far as tractors are concerned, a middle size machine now seems to be coming into favour, such as a 12-24 kerosene tractor, costing about |2,500 at Calgary. Such a tractor is not too light for heavy soil nor too heavy for light soil. Building. Building construction has been heavy at country points and on farms, the amount spent upon dwelling houses, stores, barns, garages, and general improvements running into three or more million dollars. The cities have not shown as much progress as the country dis- tricts, which is explainable by the fact that nearly all western cities are over built so far as accommodation for business purposes is concerned. Enlargements and additions have been made to warehouses. Construc- tion has been commenced on the new 6,000 barrel per da}- flour mill in Calgary for the Alberta Flour Mills Ltd. Railway Construction. Railway construction has been practi- cally at a standstill, except in connection with the Edmonton, Dum-egan and British Columbia Railway, which has continued its operations into the Peace River country, and the Altagreat Waterways Railway to Fort McMurray. Agriculture. The Provincial Government estimate the production and value of products as follows: Crops. Acreage. Bushels. Value. 2,845,647 56,644,469 Dollars. 105,288,938 56,693 1,214,785 2,429,570 Oats 2,537,883 84,384,610 50,630,766 Barley 472,112 10,504,492 10,504,492 Flax 139,827 1,115,572 2,888,920 Rye 30,883 787,518 1,181,274 Other grain crops ... Hav 49,114 492,552 393,912 492,522 393,912 4,925,220 48,917 7,337,550 4,402,530 25,000,000 Wool clip... ... ... ... 2,086,6331bs. 1,181,682 Game and furs ... ... ... ... 2,000,000 175,000 Poultry and products 3,500,000 Total of all products ... $215,076,904 * Tons of 2,OCO Ibs. 44 The Dominion Government estimate the total area in the Province, available and suitable tor agricultural developments, at 105,000,000 acres. A very large amount of Fall ploughing has been done in all the Prairie Provinces for the 1918 crop, and, given climatic conditions, production should be considerably increased. Live stock handled through the Alberta Stock Yards, Calgary, during the year amounted to : Horses. Cattle. Hogs. Sheep. 25,694 92,578 127,948 25,231 All "these figures show increases over 1916. The estimated value is $10,767,558, based on per head, horses $150, cattle (including calves) $75, Hogs |32, and sheep $12. The estimated number and value of live stock in the Province is as follows : No. Value. 718,317 Dollars. 71,831,700 730,237 10,953,555 Sheep ... ... ... ... 276,966 2,215,328 325,861 19,531,660 363,583 3,635,830 187,538 7,501,520 Other Cattle ... Bulls 616,671 41,861 18,500,130 3,139,575 In the Province there are 7 cheese factories, 14 combined creameries and cheese factories, and 56 creameries. The output of butter in 1916 was 8,521,784 pounds, and of cheese 745,122 pounds. The figures for 1917 are not yet available but it is expected that they will show a considerable increase. Oil wells. No considerable development has taken place, but a good deal of investigation has been carried on, and a plant is being installed in the Turner Valley, at the Dingman Well, both for refining and utili- sation of by-products. The output of the Dingnian and other wells in that vicinity has been average throughout the year, and the product is freely sold in the Province. Natural Gas. There have been no new developments, and the pro- duction will be about the same as last year. Coal. Notwithstanding strikes in the various coal mines, the output will be larger than that of 1916, and now that there is a Fuel Commis- sioner in charge, owing to war conditions, the interruption in mining during the year 1918 is not likely to be serious. General Trade Conditions. Trade conditions have been good throughout the year 1917, and the prospects for 1918 are first-class. There is abundance of money among the population, and it is being spent freely. A great effort will be made in 1918 to increase production, both in grain and hogs. 45 BRITISH COLUMBIA. (My Mr. 1 J . J. Skallcross, Imperial Trade Correspondent at Vancouver.) In my Keport a year ago I stated that 1916 had seen considerable financial recovery, and this has continued throughout 1917. Vancouver City and district subscribed over $8,000,000 of Victory Bonds and the nuinb'er of subscribers was equal to about one in every live and a half of the population. The total of over |8, 000, 000 was made up substantially of subscriptions of comparatively small individual amounts. Vancouver has also felt the benefit of the contracts let by the Govern- ment for shipbuilding. The industry has, in turn, had its important and favourable effect upon the timber and other resources of the Province. There lias been a marked increase in the population, and houses are becoming increasingly difficult to rent and there is an upward tendency in rents. The following is a statement of the shipping at Vancouver Port; Tonnage in and out of Vancouver Port. 1916. 1917. In. Out. In. Out. 3,244,023 (1) Coas 3,536,694 wise. 3,313,422 3,709,670 1,907,815 (2) Deep 1,752,724 Sea. 1,929,231 1,599,777 Salmon Pack. Total Cases. 1916. 1917. Dollars. 995,065 Dollars. 1,557,485 Mineral Production. \ The following statement shows the value of mineral production in each of the years 1915, 1916 and 1917. (According to the Dominion Department of Mines, 1917.) 1915. 1916. 1917. Dollars. 28,689,425 Dollars. 39,969,962 Dollars. 36,161,528 Agriculture. The value of crops and livestock in 1917 was f-35,000,000, an increase of |2,125,308 over 1916. 46 V. TRADE OF NEWFOUNDLAND. (By Mr. H. W. Le Messurier, C.M.G., Imperial Trade Correspondent at St. John's.) Fisheries. The year 1917 has been a most prosperous oiie for Newfoundland. The codfishery, the main staple industry of the island, lias closed with the largest catch on record, and the prices for the cured article realized by the fishermen have been the highest ever obtained in the history of this industry. The catch would have been larger, had there been a sufficient supply of salt. The catch is now being marketed, {'ully two-thirds of it having gone forward ; but whether the shippers will realize the high prices paid remains to be seen. In order to carry the fish to market, exporters purchased sailing vessels in the United States and in Canada, steamers not being available for this purpose. Quite a number of sailing vessels have thus been added to the Newfoundland registry. While the Bank codfishery was not as largely prosecuted as in 1916, the returns were excellent. 78 vessels of 5,334 tons manned by 1,298 men, caught 134,298 quintals of codfish. The trade in herrings has also been good, a large proportion going to the United States, and excellent prices have been obtained. The value of the herring fishery during the past two years has increased over 100 per cent. The yield in oils has been good and large quantities of cod, refined cod liver and seal oils have been exported at high figures, the markets giving exceptionally remunerative returns. The seal fishery for 1917 resulted favourably. Twelve steamers were employed of 4,390 net tons, carrying 2,131 men, and the catch of 196,228 seals, weighing 3.285 tons, realized |516,716. Paper and Pulp Mills. The paper and pulp mills at Grand Falls and the pulp mills at Bishop's Falls have shipped nearly all their output of the year to the United States. The labourers employed by these mills have made excellent wages during that period, and the prospect is bright for a continuation of plenty of work during the year 1918. Mines. The output of iron from the Bell Island mines and the copper mines in Notre Dame Bay, has been equal to that of last year. Trade Conditions. Trade in imports from the neighbouring continent, particularly from the United States, has been brisk. Owing to the want of communication with the Mother Country and the delay and uncertainty in getting orders filled, the imports from the United Kingdom have not increased in proportion with the imports from Canada and the United States. During the year no commercial failures of account have taken place, and the deposits in the savings banks have shown a very considerable increase. Generally speaking, labourers throughout Newfoundland have made excellent wages, and the country has thereby prospered. The following trade figures are for the financial year ended 30th June, 1917 . Imports 121,318,310, exports $22,381,762. 47 4 Imports. Dollars. From Unirted Kingdom 2,620,033 ,, Canada 7,412,300 ,, Other British Possessions 738,335 ,, United States 10,233,899 ,, Other Countries 313,743 Total 21,318,310 Exports. Dollars. To United Kingdom 4,836,074 ,, Canada 2,042,117 ,, Other British Possessions 930,400 United States 4,047,842 ,, Other Countries 10,525,329 Total 22,381,762 Exports for Year ended 3ftth June, 1917, classified as follows : Dollars. Products of the Fisheries 17,651,001 Products of Agriculture ... ... ... ... 11,951 Products of the Forest ... 686,157 Products of the Mine 1,256,242 Manufactures (local) 2,600,623 Game 874 Spirits 30 Wines 5,910 Specie 3,000 Old Metal 35,298 Junk 19,860 Miscellaneous 110,816 Total 22,381,762 48 APPENDIX. STATISTICAL RETURNS. Imports into Canada for consumption of Dutiable and Free Goods (Coin and 1917 COUNTRIES 1914. (Fiscal years ended March 31st). Dutiable. Free, Totals. BRITISH EMPIRE. United Kingdom Aden ... Dollars. - 102,375,807 Dollars. 29,694,495 25,145 Dollars. 132,070,30-2 25,145 Africa British East British South British West ... Bermuda ... ... ... ... 12,205 94,562 3,346 1,815 3.770 383,261 25,772 5724 15,975 477,823 29,118 7.539 East Indies British India Straits Settlements . Other East Indies British Guiana British Honduras British West Indies 183,024 223,993 110,096 3,172,565 2,233,513 48,170 4,823,285 341,850 1,536,739 6,547 155,396 2,113,797 894 5,006,309 565,843 1,646,835 3,179,112 155,396 4,347,310 49,064 17 17 Hong Kong Malta 561,442 2,734 448,579 10 1,010,021 2,744 Newfoundland Oceania Australia New Zealand Fiji Other Oceania 23,074 455,570 1,976,300 239,182 1,817,449 257,541 1,216,600 1,537 1,840,523 713,111 3,192,900 240,719 Totals, British Empire ... 111,717,475 42,858,391 154,575,866 FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Abyssinia ... ... ... ... - 3,635 3,635 Argentine Republic Austria-Hungary Belgium ... ... ... ... 25,892 1,700,401 2,977,584 2,577,236 72,620 1,512,892 2,603,128 1,773,021 4,490,476 Belgian Congo.. 2,370 1,161,415 1,163,785 t54 91 545 Central American States Costa Rica Guatemala Nicaragua Salvador Chile 37 46,473 7,450 24 34,737 64,291 10,495 767,265 34,774 110,764 17,945 767,289 344,029 569,233 913,262 150,545 150,545 Cuba 3.512587 440,300 3,952,887 Continued. 49 APPENDIX continued. STATISTICAL KETURNS. and Bullion excluded) for the Fiscal years ending 31st March 1914 compared. 1917. COUNTRIES (Fiscal years ended March 31st). Dutiable. Free. Totals. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. BRITISH EMPIRE. 75,504,932 31,591,652 107,096,584 United Kingdom. 9,102 9,102 Aden. 68 68 Africa British East. 18,604 202,872 221,476 British South. British West 202 12,103 12,305 Bermuda. 3,789,91(5 1,135,966 4,925,882 East Indies British India. 282.732 558,463 841,195 Straits Settlements. 101,066 1,031,640 1,132,706 Other East Indies. 7,188,015 4,878 7,192,893 British Guiana. 1,065,953 1,065,953 British Honduras. 11,697,109 2,541,896 14,239,005 British West Indies. 10,724 617 11,341 Egypt. Gibraltar. 567,967 831,017 1,398,984 Hong Kong. 968 20 988 Malta. 1,006,680 1,140,278 2,146,958 Newfoundland. 166,012 596,101 762,113 Oceania Australia. 107,153 2,135,362 2,242,515 New Zealand. 831,890 ^ . 831,890 Fiji. 961 961 Other Oceania. 101,284,101 42,848,818 144,132,919 Totals, British Empire. FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 6,054 6,054 Abyssinia. 4,599 2,697,472 2,702,071 Argentine Republic. 1,390 1,390 Austria-Hungary. 8,152 6,744 14,896 Belgium. 75 75 Be'gian Congo. Bolivia. 1,061,008 1,477 1,062,485 Brazil. Bulgaria. Central American States- 55,066 500 55,566 Costa Rica. 189,977 189,977 Guatemala. 93,343 93,343 Nicaragua. 12,464 - -- - 12,464 Salvador. 12 198,345 198,357 Chile. 374,608 753,734 1,128,342 'China. 183,778 1,179 184,957 Colombia. 263,022 347,785 610,807 Cuba. on next pai/e. 50 A P P E N D I X con tin ued. COUNTRIES 1914. (Fiscal years ended March 31st). Dutiable. Free. Totals. FOREIGN COUNTRIES continued. Denmark ... ... ... Dollars. 20226 Dollars. 92403 Dollars. 112629 Danish West Indies Greenland, Iceland, &c. 259,368 38 2,657 5,642 259,368 5,680 2,657 11,914,089 2,362,446 14,276,535 French Africa ... Madagascar St. Pierre and Miquelon 1,019 520 3,415 11,151,601 40,486 42,970 2,653 3 434 622 41,505 43,490 6,068 14,586 223 German Africa 444,811 51,710 225 51,710 445,036 Hayti 106 106 Italy 1,428,517 661 870 2 090 387 1,463,970 1,140 246 2 604,216 36,958 1,434,224 1,471,182 162 162 Netherlands Dutch East Indies Dutch Guiana Dutch West Indies 1,642,791 877,017 216,126 446,513 1,372,665 99,073 367 39,866 3,015,456 976,090 216,126 367 486,379 11,879 11 879 Peru 747,546 1,000 748'546 256,168 21,213 277381 Azores and Madeira Islands ... Boumania 5,282 3,806 21,160 750 461,649 5,282 4,556 482,809 San Domingo 2,942,333 895 79,389 2,942,333 80,284 1,273,643 78,490 1,352,133 Sweden ... ... ... 515,427 87,974 603,401 Switzerland Turkey in Asia ... Turkey in Europe United States Alaska ... ... ... 4,252,961 397,234 15,527 249,482,610 28,432 61,844 82,035 185 146,082,718 38,038 4,314,805 479,269 15,712 395,565,328 66,470 49,V'85 11,380 61,365 Philippines ... Porto Rico 4,838 22 1,024 877 1,591 54,702 5,715 1,613 55,726 3,560 129,683 133,243 Totals, Foreign Countries 298,541,269 165,340,009 463,881,378 Grand Totals 410,258,744 208,198,400 618,457,144 51 APPENDIX continued. A 000 439 283 3 1917. COUNTRIES , (Fiscal years ended March, 31st) Dutiable. Free. Totals. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. FOREIGN COUNTRIES continued. 5,409 25,051 30,460 ' Denmark. 107 107 < Danish West Indies*. 564 564 Greenland, Iceland, &c. 4,532 4,532 Ecuador. 5,792,428 688,048 6,480,476 France. 140 140 French Africa. Madagascar. 3,273 2,089 5,362 S. Pierre and Miquelon. 11,212 2,920 14,132 Germany. German Africa. 159,963 509 160,472 Greece. Hayti. 871,228 355,779 1,227,007 Italy. 6,094,235 2,028,500 8,122,735 Japan. Korea. 61,179 616,372 677,551 xico. 2,647 3,647 Morocco. 1,030,349 204,644 1,234,993 Netherlands. 567,987 52,201 620,188 Dutch East Indies. 4,549 4,549 Dutch Guiana _ Dutch West Indies 238,232 87,007 325,239 Norway. 33,617 33,617 Persia. 1,553,086 100,204 1,653,290 Peru. 229,848 30,246 260,094 Portugal. 20,452 20,452 Azores and Maderia Island* Roumania. 429 23,711 24,140 Russia. 3,888,807 3,888,807 San Domingo. 14,059 3,705 17,764 Siam. 830,276 79,270 909,546 Spain. 58,720 41,118 99,838 Sweden. 4,436,320 63,001 4,499,321 Switzerland. 243 243 Turkey. 332,039,327 332,180,326 664,219,653 United States. 10,094 9,478 19,572 Alaska. 54,585 1,112 55,697 Hawaii. 39,899 425 40,324 Philippines. 498 4,890 5,388 Porto Rico. 146,619 146,619 Uruguay. 138,305 18,779 157,084 Venezuela. 360,449,508 340,773,879 701,223,387 Totals, Foreign Countries 461,733,609 383,622,697 845,356,306 Grand Totals. Printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office By DARLING AND SON, LIMITED, BACON STREET, E.2. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGLES MAR 2 5 19S3 LIBRARY GOVT. PUBS. ROOM