SCOTLAND 591 



was only about half that which took place in 1910, compared with 1909, and the falling off 

 must be largely attributed to labour troubles. Glasgow and the west of Scotland took 

 good position with an increase of fully 300,000 tons, and in Ayrshire between the ports of 

 Ayr and Troon there was an increase of 150,000 tons. On the other hand the Forth (ex- 

 cluding the Fifeshire ports) made a comparatively poor show. At Grangemouth there was 

 a decrease of 260,000 tons, and although Granton improved its position by 130,000 tons, due 

 largely to an increasing trade with London, Leith showed a falling off of 120,000 tons. While 

 the condition in the Scottish coal trade on the whole is satisfactory an unpleasant factor 

 is to be reckoned with in German competition. At one time Germany constituted one 

 of the best markets for Scotch coal, but now she is entering into active competition. 



In the mineral oil industry, whose centre is West Lothian, the prospect is less bright. 

 This is due chiefly to foreign competition, which was severely felt during the past year, 

 with the result that prices of oil products never got a chance. The slackness of the Scottish 

 oil market is best indicated by the drop in profits during 1909-1912. During that period 

 Pumpherston dividend has fallen from 50 per cent to 30 percent; Tabrax from 7% per cent 

 to 5 per cent; Oakbank from 10 per cent to 5 per cent; Young's Paraffin Oil Co. and the 

 Broxburn Oil Company paying percentages respectively of 4? and 10 per cent. 



Foreign competition is being felt also in steel manufacture. This is indicated by the 

 action of Scottish makers in introducing rebates (the outstanding feature in recent de- 

 velopments of the industry) with the object of limiting outside competition. It would 

 be premature to judge of its effects, and meantime it has not resulted in any marked 

 improvement, there being a falling off in supplies, particularly to Canada, owing to American 

 manufacturers' prices being lower than those of the home market. A contingent effect of 

 foreign competition is indicated by the continued slackness in locomotive building. The 

 Scottish industry chiefly depended on the foreign market, particularly the East, and the 

 foreign orders are dwindling, although there is a slight improvement in colonial trade. 



The three trades already mentioned are the vitals of industrial Scotland. Next to them 

 may be ranked the various branches of textile manufactures. While the woollen trade of 

 the borders has been in a state of almost unexampled prosperity, the jute trade of Dundee 

 during 1911 underwent one of the worst periods in its history, but entirely recovered 

 towards the end of 1912. The linen trade, although satisfactory, has been hard hit by 

 foreign competition, which has been felt in its chief seat, Dunfermline, and the cotton trade 

 has suffered chiefly from the same cause. It is still located principally in the east end of 

 Glasgow, but many of the great mills of Bridgeton, where once it flourished, are now devoted 

 to other enterprises, and stand, pathetic witnesses of a great decline. The thread industry, 

 however, continues a huge industrial asset to the West, the headquarters of the great Coats' 

 combine being in Paisley. Another branch of the textile trade, that of dyeing, has under- 

 gone a change. The Combine of a few years ago has resulted in the concentration of the in- 

 dustry, and many of the smaller works at different points in the west of Scotland have been 

 closed. The total value of produce and manufacture from the chief Scottish ports was: 

 Glasgow 29,129,406, Leith 6,875,636, Grangemouth 2,239,581. 



A general consideration of the industrial outlook reveals the eastern part of the country 

 as portentous of greatest development, and the increased activity here is almost entirely 

 limited to Fifeshire. That county, in its western area, has grown enormously in industrial 

 importance "within recent years. The basis of its prosperity is the wealth and extent of its 

 coalfields, and within the coal area many important manufactures have sprung up, notably 

 linoleum, the staple trade of Kirkcaldy, and now extending to other parts of the " Kingdom." 

 Fifeshire ports also continue to grow in importance, notably Methil, which, with the com- 

 pletion of the new dock will contribute to make the Fifeshire ports of the Forth serious com- 

 petitors with the west in the export of coal and iron. The establishment of the naval base 

 at Rosyth, in process of construction since 1908, will stimulate industry in the western part 

 of the county, and already in the neighbourhood of the dock a town is developing. 



Fishing. The fishing industry of Scotland has changed greatly in the manner of its 

 pursuit. Formerly, it was interwoven with the work of agriculture, particularly in the 

 Western Highlands, where crofters profitably combined the harvest of the waters with the 

 harvest of the land. Those were in the days of sailing boats, the possession of which was 

 within the reach of thrifty fishermen. The advent of the steam drifter is gradually crushing 

 out the modest sailing boats, and their humble owners, who find it impossible 'to compete 

 against highly equipped drifters, which generally have behind them powerful capitalist 

 influence. The industry is now largely in the hands of large combines, who own a fleet of 

 drifters, and although the new order has doubtless proved beneficial to the consumer it has 

 been detrimental to the economic welfare of the working fisherman, who has to be content 

 with the position as member of a drifter crew, with little prospect of ever having a boat of 

 his own. The combine system is rapidly spreading. Salmon fishing on the Tay, for example, 

 is now monopolised by wealthy companies, whereas formerly the fishings were distributed 

 among small fishermen. The effect is seen in the changed complexion of Newburgh, whose 

 community until a few years ago was almost entirely engaged in the Tay fishings. It has 

 sunk to a town of little importance in salmon fishing, and such prosperity as it still enjoys 

 is based on the manufacture of linoleum. For administrative purposes the Fisheries Board 



