58 



frs. of the capital stock unpaid was paid up and a bonus of 7,000,000 

 frs. in new shares was divided among the stockholders. 



Norway — The capacity of the Norvv-egian aluminium plants is 

 as follows: Arendal, 5,000 tons; Tyssedal, 6,000 tons; Vigeland, 

 2,000 tons; Stangfjord, 600 tons; Hoyang, 4,000 tons. Total, 17,600 

 tons. Mineral Industry states that " the present Norwegian pro- 

 duction is probably 18,000 to 20,000 tons per year," but exact figures 

 are not available. 



Itnly — Three companies, the Villeneuve et Borgofranco, the 

 Tresfilieres du Havre and the Trafilierie et Lamanitoi di Metalli are 

 combined into the L'Aluminio Italiano, with a capital of 20,000,000 

 lire (S5,000,000). 



The countries which have exported most aluminium are France 

 and Switzerland. Prior to the war, each exported 7,000 tons to 8,000 

 tons per annum. Germany has been the largest importer of alumin- 

 ium— 16,000 tons in 1912 and 12,500 tons in 1913. It is very difficult 

 to obtain reliable information about the production of aluminium 

 during the war; prices have risen abnormally, and new factories have 

 been started which have secured contracts extending over several 

 years after the conclusion of peace. 



Conditions of 1915 were favourable to the United States branch 

 of the aluminium industry. In 1914, the United States produced 

 about 48 per cent of the world's production; in 1915, probably over 

 50 per cent; and, in 1917, 52.3 per cent. In 1917, Canada produced 

 6.8 per cent of the world's production. Or, expressing it in another 

 way, Canada and the United States, combined, produced one and 

 one-half times as much aluminium as the rest of the world. 



Provided the projected factories are built and operated, the 

 production of aluminium is soon likely to be largely increased. If the 

 alumina factories can increase their output, an annual production 

 of some 200,000 tons of aluminium may then be reckoned upon. . 



It is estimated that, of this aggregate, 50 per cent is likely to be 

 produced in the United States and Canada, 8 per cent in Great Britain 

 (11 per cent before the war), 13 per cent in France (261 per cent 

 before the war), 11 per cent in Norway (2^ per cent before the war), 

 4^ per cent in Italy {\\ per cent before the war), and 13 per cent in 

 Switzerland, Germany and Austria-Hungary. 



This estimate has recently been made by a " French expert, 

 from which fact it would appear that the French themselves are 

 prepared to lose their lead in the production of what has been called 

 the French metal. The French, however, have not been idle, but 

 propose to meet the increased foreign competition by starting branch, 

 factories in different parts of the world. France is therefore likely to 

 maintain its financial position in the world's aluminium industry for 



