— 7 — 



also this state of uncertainty usually inflicts unnecessary correspondence 

 and delay in the passing of the goods through the Customs, will do their 

 utmost to put an end to these conditions, which are not calculated to 

 promote mutual neighbourly feelings. 



The improvement in the commerce and industry of the United King- 

 dom, to which we referred in our April Report, has continued throughout 

 the summer, and the periodical Board of Trade Returns afford proof that 

 Britain has every reason to be satisfied with the commercial balance of 

 the past few months. Unfortunately, however, a fresh disturbing factor 

 has made itself unpleasantly prominent in the months of July and August, — 

 we refer to the unrest among the railway men and the workers in the 

 shipbuilding yards. Recently these branches of industry have almost weekly 

 been the scene of most vexatious labour disputes, culminating in the 

 lock-out of the boiler-makers, by which about 100000 workmen were 

 turned out of employment at a blow. Although it is to be expected that 

 this calamity will be overcome in the course of the next few weeks, it 

 is impossible to disregard the injurious effect of such occurrences upon 

 trade and traffic, especially in view of the fact that discontent with the 

 home politics of the Liberal party, which is still in power, continues to run 

 high. Generally speaking we have reason for great satisfaction with our 

 turnover in this market during the past half-year. It is true that the 

 wholesale soap making industry is still suffering from the after-effect of 

 the evils to which we have referred in previous Reports, but signs are 

 not wanting that in this department also better times are in store. It is 

 also a satisfaction to us to be able to state that in many quarters much 

 more appreciation is gradually being shown of the value of pure products 

 in our branch of industry than was the case in past years. 



We beg to remind our friends in the U. K. on this occasion that the 

 increase of business transacted through our London Office obliged us to 

 remove the latter on September 20 th to No. 65, Crutched Friars, E. C, 

 where ample accommodation in every respect has been secured. 



Business with the British Colonies has continued to run a quiet course 

 with a satisfactory turnover; here also it is to be observed that the interest 

 shown in our articles, and the appreciation of purity of quality, are de- 

 cidedly increasing, although it is necessary to qualify this observation 

 by the statement that many colonial orders which are given through the 

 intermediary of agents in Europe are still being placed by the latter merely 

 on the basis of the lowest quotation, without any regard whatever to the 

 quality of the goods. It is obvious that in such circumstances the colonial 

 buyer must often receive articles from which he can derive but little 

 satisfaction. 



In Canada there has sprung up within the past few months a move- 

 ment aiming at the etablishment of Free Trade. The question appears to 



