192 REPORT—1905. 
not yet been published (for the results of six months vide report on 
‘ British and Foreign Trade and Industry,’ Second Series, Cd. 2,337), the 
Committee understand that a considerable amount of information has been 
obtained regarding, if not the origin, at least the intermediate stages in 
the exchange of goods. 
India.—In the case of India and other parts of the Colonial Empire, 
the Customs authorities have not as yet attempted to distinguish between 
the country of shipment and the country of origin. 
In dealing with the general question of distinguishing the country of 
origin from the country of shipment, it is necessary to recognise the diffi- 
culty and limitations which beset inquiry, and care will be required in inter- 
preting the information obtained, but the attempt on the part of several 
large communities of the British Empire to collect this information is to 
be welcomed. It directs attention to the highly complex character of 
modern international trade, and it will assist the investigation of the 
source and development of particular articles. This is important, as 
much of the value of import and export statistics consists in the light 
which they throw on the production and distribution of particular com- 
modities. 
Destination of Exports.—Several colonies endeavour to obtain the 
ultimate destination of exports, but it is difficult to place reliance on 
the declarations made. Thus, for example, in the exports from the West 
Indies, it is known that some of the goods invoiced to New York are 
destined for Canada, Again, in the case of exports forwarded on con- 
signment, the ultimate country of destination is often other than that 
which is declared. Thus much of the trade from India to Hong Kong 
is trade with China, though in part also with Japan, the Philippines, and 
the Pacific Coast of America. Similarly, consignments of rice and wheat 
forwarded to Egypt are largely to await orders at Port Said for delivery 
in western ports, while cargoes of Dutch sugar are shipped to the West 
Indies to await orders for American and other ports 
D. Classification of Articles of Import and Export. 
Uniformity of classification is almost as important as uniformity in 
the system of valuation. At one time, owing to the great economic difler- 
ences between the several countries comprised, the quest for a uniform 
classification for the British Empire might have seemed futile. Now, 
howeyer, natural and political developments have led to a consider- 
able approximation in the classification adopted, at least by the self- 
governing colonies, and in this case it would seem as if the differences 
which still remain might be removed with advantage both to the indi- 
vidual countries and to,the Empire asa whole. In the case of the Crown 
Colonies and Dependencies much also could be done to improve the classi- 
fication, and to adapt it to a general classification for the whole Empire, 
What is required is the adoption, as far as possible, of a common detailed 
alphabetical list, which should form the foundation in all cases. At 
present such a list appears in all the important States within the Empire 
save India, and its absence there diminishes considerably the convenience 
and usefulness of the Indian statistics. At the same time it is necessary 
that the common list should be detailed, for the value of import and export 
statistics consists to a large extent in the information provided with regard 
to individual articles. At present many of the colonial returns suffer 
