Vol. VIII. No. 91. 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
[July, 1902.] 189 
MONTHLY COMMERCIAL AND 
INDUSTRIAL SUMMARIES. 
GENERAL COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. 
COLONIES. 
Canadian Lake Superior Region. — “ While it may be 
possible that on account of the glacial erosion the product of 
high grade ore in Canada may be less than in the districts of 
similar size and geological position on the United States side of 
the boundary," say Mr. C. R. Van Hise in a report on the Lake 
Superior ore region to the United States Geological Survey, “ it 
cannot be doubted that in the future important quantities of 
iron ore will be exploited in the Canadian Lake Superior 
Region. Doubtless, also, this exploitation would have begun 
many years ago were it not for the duty which ores mined in 
Canada must pay when entering the Uuited States. The 
Vermilion iron-bearing series has been traced to Hunters Island. 
Thence these rocks have been mapped by the Canadian Survey 
as extending first in a north-easterly and then in an easterly 
direction to the Kaministiquia river, and thence eastward to the 
Keneenawan rocks west of Lake Nipigon. Another great belt 
of iron-bearing rocks with various ramifications has been traced 
by the Canadian Survey from Rainy Lake eastward to the 
Canadian Pacific railway and to Lac des Mille Lacs. In this 
belt occurs the so-called Atikokan range, in which large 
deposits of iron ore are said to outcrop. East and north of 
the east half of Lake Superior various areas of iron -bearing 
rocks are also found. One or more belts are said to extend 
east from Lake Nipigon. A belt is found adjacent to Black 
and Pic rivers. Several belts of iron-bearing formation have 
been found in the Michipicoton district. At the present time 
the only one of these districts which is an ore producer is the 
Michipicoton. While this district has not been connected 
areally and structurally with any other area in the Lake 
Superior region, the likeness in the character of its rocks 
and its succession to the Vermilion district leaves little doubt 
that the two districts are in most essential points parallel. In 
the Michipicoton district the basement rock is a greenstone, 
showing the ellipsoidal structure on the great scale so char- 
acteristic of the Ely greenstone of the Vermilion district. It 
contains substantially all the varieties of material in the iron 
formation of the Vermilion district, and in addition great 
quantities of pyritic quartz rock. On the bluff back of the 
Helen mine and at many other places iron carbonate is 
abundant. Near the Helen mine Mr, Merriam reports this 
carbonate as containing 19 to 30 per cent, metallic iron. These 
abundant cherty carbonates leave little doubt that the ferru- 
ginous cherts, ferruginous slates, jaspers and mine ores have 
mainly developed from a carbonate as the original rock, 
precisely as in the various districts south of Lake Superior. 
Plowever, it is clear that the pyrite of the carbonates and the 
pyritic quartz rocks have also made contributions. At the 
present time the iron formation has been developed only at the 
Helen mine. Here a good body of high-grade hematite has 
been shown by stripping to extend in considerable areas to the 
rock surface. In 1900, the first year of shipment, 62,000 tons 
were shipped. 
Hong Kong.— Shipping and Trade. — It appears from 
the Harbour Master’s report that the total tonnage entering and 
clearing during the year 1901 amounted to 19,325,384 tons, being 
an increase, compared with 1900, of 880,248 tons, and being also 
in excess of any previous year. Of this increase 165,128 tons 
are due to the fact that steam launches trading to ports outside 
the colony have been included this year, whereas in former 
years they have been returned separately. There were 45,349 
arrivals of 9,681,203 tons and 45,171 departures of 9,644,181 
tons. Of British ocean-going tonnage 2,917,780 tons entered 
and 2,897,200 tons cleared. Of British river steamers, 1,697,242 
tons entered and 1,701,417 tons cleared, making a grand total 
of British tonnage of 9,213,639 tons entering and clearing. 
Trade.— T he information under this heading is still less 
accurate than it might be if greater assistance was given by 
those from whom the particulars are obtained, and who alone 
are in a position to afford it. The following returns must 
therefore, be received with due allowance for this apparent 
indifference to accuracy. The principal features to be remarked 
in the reported trade of the port for the year 1901 are : — 
1. A decrease in the coal imports of 12 '3 per cent. 
2. A decrease in the cotton imports of 27,8 per cent. 
3. A decrease in the rice imports of 8 per cent. 
4. A decrease in the timber imports of 187 per cent. 
5. A decrease in the hemp imports of 427 per cent. 
6. An increase in the general imports of g‘8 per cent. 
7. Also small increases in case and bulk kerosene, and in 
liquid fuel. 
A comparison of the principal imports of 1900 and 1901 
works out as follows : — 
Articles. 
1900. 
1901. 
Coal .... 
1,045,812 
917,144 
Rice .... 
673,029 
618,780 
Sugar .... 
238,863 
241,291 
Flour .... 
145,111 
MS . 2S 7 
Kerosene (bulk) 
64,732 
70,728 
,, (case) 
69,979 
77.977 
Timber .... 
82,311: 
66, 860 
Hemp .... 
54.105 
3 CI 95 
Cotton yarn and cotton 
19.993 
14.423 
Newfoundland. — Mineral Production. — The annual 
report of the Mines Bureau of Newfoundland shows that in 
every instance there was an increase in the production of last 
year over that of 1900, the most important improvement being 
in iron ore, the output of which more than doubled, while the 
copper shipments increased only by 4,734 tons. The value of 
the total output shows an increase of over 50 per cent, over 
that of the preceeding year, which is largely attributed to the 
increased iron shipments from the Belle Island. A deposit of 
pyrites near Ramah, Labrador, is reported to be of excellent 
quality and of great extent. The chief market for the slate 
shipments, which amounted last year to 2,000 tons, is found 
chiefly in this country. Borings have been made for petroleum, 
but without any considerable success. Among other minerals 
mentioned which are known to exist are chrome ore, manganese, 
lead, arsenical pyrites, mica, and asbestos. It is claimed in 
addition‘that gold also could show a considerable production, and 
it is believed that coal also exists on the island, and should it be 
discovered in commercial quantities an iron and steel industry 
would be established. 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Peat. — The occurrence and uses of peat are described in 
Mineral Resources of the United States , 1901. I here are 
probably no large areas of peat in the United States equal to 
those found in Ireland and Northern Germany, but many small 
deposits exist, some of which may cover several hundred acres. 
Except in the case of those close to the Canadian border, most 
of these peat deposits are probably rather high in ash or mineral 
|OCP 
matter. These impure peats or muck make a very rich soil. 
The peat is at times underlain by marl, or in rarer instances 
by bog iron ore. The best known use of pure, or nearly pure, 
peat is a fuel, but with wood and coal so cheap no successful 
attempts have been made in the United States to utilize it for 
this purpose. Peat can also be used in the manufacture of gas, 
alcohol and charcoal. On account of its fibrous character it can 
even be successfully worked up into paper, cloth or rope. The 
partly decomposed moss has valuable antiseptic properties, and 
under the name of moss litter is sold for bedding in stables. 
The growing moss is also used as packing material. It is in the 
three last-mentioned applications that the successful use of 
American peat is probably to be looked for. Curiously enough, 
peat for packing purposes is sent from Holland to the United 
States, where it is used for packing American wines, which are 
then exported to Europe. The peat industry of the United 
States seems as yet not to have got beyond the experimental 
stage. 
+ ■ 
LABOUR MARKET. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
General Statistics. — According to the Labour Gazette , 
employment in May showed little change on the whole as 
compared with April. As compared with a year ago there was 
an improvement in the textile and pig iron industries, but a 
decline in the engineering and shipbuilding trades. Decreases 
in wages affecting 250,000 coal-miners were reported during the 
month. In 224 trade unions, with an aggregate membership of 
549,023, making returns, 21,926 (or 4 - o per cent ) were reported 
as unemployed at the end of May, as compared with 3 ‘6 per 
cent, in the 216 unions, with a membership of 544,460, from 
which returns were received for May, 1901. 
Trade Disputes. 
Twenty-three fresh disputes began in May, involving 7,385 
workpeople, of whom 6,623 were directly, and 762 indirectly 
affected. The corresponding number of disputes in April was 
32, affecting 3,635 workpeople, and in May, 1901, 64, affecting 
8,039 workpeople. Of the new disputes in May, 1902, 7 took 
place in the building trades, 9 in the mining industry, 3 in the 
metal, engineering and shipbuilding trades, 2 in the textile trades, 
and 2 in the transport trades. Of the 21 new and old disputes, 
affecting ii,8t8 workpeople, of which definite results were 
reported, 5 were decided in favour of the workpeople, 10 in 
favour of the employers, and 6 were compromised. 
Changes in Rates of Wages. 
The changes in rates of wages, reported during May, 
affected 259,442 workpeople, and a net effect of all the changes 
was a decrease averaging 8^d. weekly per head of those 
affected. Of the total number, 2,647 received advances, and 
256,795 sustained decreases. The changes of the previous 
month affected 12,947 workpeople, the net result being an 
increase averaging 4., cl. weekly per head. During May 1901, 
the number affected was 375,756, and the net weekly 
result was a decrease of xs. 50!. per head. The principal 
decreases were those sustained by 242,500 coal miners in 
Durham, South Wales and Monmouthshire. One change, 
affecting 107,500 workpeople, was arranged by a Conciliation 
Board, one affecting 1,000 workpeople was arranged by 
arbitration, and three changes, affecting 136,810 workpeople, took 
effect under sliding scales. Two changes, affecting 155 work- 
people only, and the remainder, affecting 13,977 workpeople, 
were arranged directly between employers and workpeople, or 
their representatives. 
COLONIES. 
The monthly report, compiled by the Emigrants’ 
Information Office, states as follows : — Canada.— Speaking 
generally men are well employed at this time both in towns and 
in country districts, but the labour market is unsettled in many 
parts owing to numerous strikes for higher wages and shorter 
hours, and the increasing cost of living. The most serious of these 
strikes was that of the longshoremen at Halifax ; this has now- 
been settled, and wages have been fixed at 20 cents an hour, and 
25 cents at night. A report from Montreal states that there is a 
large demand for good farm hands, general labourers, navvies, 
and for female domestic servants, especially general servants and 
cooks. Reports from Battleford, Prince Albert and other 
places in the North-West state that there is a good demand for 
farm and general labourers, female servants, and a few 
carpenters. In British Columbia there is exceptional activity in 
the logging, lumbering, and shingle industries, but at the 
important mining town of Rossland there are “plenty of 
labom-ers of all kinds at present,” and at the large coal mines of 
Nanaimo, though the mines are working steadily, many men are 
idle, and prospects are very unsettled. 
Australasia (New South Wales).— A report from Cooma 
states that the supply of labour — with the exception of female 
servants — is in excess of the demand. Country districts are 
suffering severely from the long drought, though rain has fallen 
in parts ; miners are very slack at the Broken Hill silver mines, 
and many are out of work. (Victoria).— The supply of labour 
is sufficient — except in the case of female servants and competent 
farm labourers and milking hands. (Queensland). — There is a 
demand for ploughmen and farm labourers in the South. There 
is no demand for more miners anywhere, and very little for 
mechanics. Female servants are wanted. (Western 
Australia). — There is a good demand in the south for farm 
labourers and female servants, and for a few mechanics in the 
building trades ; there is no demand for miners anywhere. 
(Tasmania). — The only demand is for skilled farm hands, and 
for a few mechanics, such as fitters, on the West Coast. (New 
Zealand). — The building trades are busy except at Wellington ; 
work in the engineering trades is general, except at A Veiling ton 
and Invercargill ; the clothing trade is fairly brisk, especially at 
Dunedin ; the boot trade is moderately busy ; coal-miners at 
Westport have been busy ; there has been plenty of work in the 
flax mills ; more general labourers are not wanted during the 
slack season. 
South. Africa (Cape Colony). — There is a good demand for 
mechanics, especially men in the building trades; but no one 
can land without first obtaining a permit from the Permit Office, 
47, Victoria-street, London, S.W. The General Manager of 
the Railways reports that a limited number of engine-fitters, 
boiler-makers, coach-builders, coach-painters, firemen and 
waggon-builders, and a few iron-moulders, iron turners, copper- 
smiths, blacksmiths and trimmers would probably secure 
employment by applying at the Government workshops in Cape 
Town ; the contract would be for at least one year at 9s. to 11s. 
a day ; applicants must pay their own passages. Railway 
clerks, shunters and train foremen also are wanted ; the cost of 
their passages will be advanced, if necessary, and be recovered 
out of W'ages ; clerks begin at 7(720 or ^132 a year, according 
to qualifications ; application must be made by letter only to the 
Agent-General for the Cape of Good Hope, 100, Victoria-street, 
London, S.W. Recruiting in this country for the Cape 
Mounted Rifles has re-commeneed ; apply to the Agent-General 
as above. (Natal). — There is a good demand at the present 
time for skilled artisans, more especially for carpenters and those 
in the building trades, but they cannot land without permits, 
which may be obtained at the Permit Office, 47, Victoria-street, 
London, S.W. The carpenters' strike is now settled, the men 
agreeing to accept an increase of is. a day (bringing their wages 
up to 15s. a day) instead of 2s. as at first demanded. The 
following persons are wanted for the Government railways ; free 
passages to Natal are provided ; engagements are for three 
years ; candidates must apply to the Agent-General for Natal, 
26, Victoria-street, London, S.W., enclosing particulars as to 
age, height, whether married or single, with medical certificates 
and testimonials ; good platelayers between 25 and 40 years of 
age, with five years' experience, wages fn to £ 1 5 a month ; 
carriage and waggon examiners, having three years’ experience, 
w’ages 9s, a day ; machine-men, with five years' experience in 
shaping, planing, and slotting machines, wages 10s. 6d. per day, 
first year, afterwards 11s. 6d. per day; sawyers, or machine-men, 
between 24 and 35 years of age, to be able to work circular 
band, or long saw, wages its. 6d. , rising to 12s. 6d. per day; 
holders-up accustomed to locomotive boiler work, wages 9s. per 
day, rising to 10s. per day after 12 months’ satisfactory service ; 
fitters and erectors, turners, coppersmiths, brass-finishers, 
coach-makers, and wood machinemen able to do general joiner 
work, wages 12s,, rising to 13s. per day after 12 months’ satis- 
factory-service; wood waggon builders, 11s. 6d., rising to 12s. 
per day; sheet-ironworkers, 11s., rising to 12s. per day; saw 
doctors to braize hammer saws and cut teeth, 12s. 6d. per day ; 
signalmen having one year's experience, wages £10 per month, 
must be under 30 years of age and over 5 feet 7 inches in height, 
cost of passage outwards will be advanced to signalmen to be 
repaid bv monthly deductions. (Transvaal) — N o one can land 
in South Africa without a permit [see Cape Colony above), and 
none but refugees, Government employees, and persons engaged 
in a service of a public nature, will be permitted to move up into 
the Transvaal. There is a good demand for mechanics, 
especially those in the building trades ; wages are high, 
carpenters receiving 20s. to 22s. 6d. a day, but the cost of rent 
and food is at least twice as much as in England. 
South African Constabulary. — Candidates for the South 
African Constabulary in the Transvaal and Orange River 
Colony should applv to the S.A.C. Recruiting Officer, King’s- 
court, Broadway, Westminster, S.W. They must be good 
riders, good shots, single, strictly sober, and from 20 to 35 years 
of age ; they will be given free passages to South Africa. 

EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION. 
%* The Imperial Institute acts in concert with the Emigrants' 
• Information Office ( which is under the direction of the 
Colonial Office J, of 31, Broadway, Westminster , S. W. ; 
and also with the British Women’s Emigration Asso- 
ciation, now temporarily carrying on its work in 
rooms at the Institute. The Handbooks and Quarterly 
Circulars issued by the Emigrants' Information Office 
may be obtained at the Commercial Intelligence Office. 
Special information and practical advice respecting 
Canada and Cape Colony will also be furnished by the 
Curators of these Sections . 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
British Women’s Emigration Association.— The hon. 
secretary reports that 846 applications have been received in 
the month ended June 21; 51 have sailed to Canada, 84 to 
South Africa, 4 to New Zealand, 2 to Australia, 6 to New York, 
and 1 to Port Said. The proclamation of peace in the great 
South African Continent, is a matter for thankfulness and 
rejoicing throughout the whole Empire. “ That peace may be 
established on a firm and righteous foundation ” has been, and 
still should be, the prayer of the nation, and we may trust that 
prosperity will follow under a just and beneficent rule. A great 
immigration is to be expected, and preparation for this has 
already begun, both there and here. Houses have to be rebuilt 
and businesses re-established. It would be no advantage to the 
country, or to women proceeding there, for them to arrive in 
large numbers, until they can at once find shelter and employ- 
ment. Food is still dear, and lodging still dearer, and 
women would find themselves worse off than at home, if they 
were out of work. Yet the presence and influence of loyal, 
earnest and adaptable women is necessary in the interests of the 
extended sphere now committed to the trust of the British 
Empire. 
Men have conquered the territory, and women must help 
to hold it. If the blessings of Christian love are to unite and 
elevate and purify the people of the various races dwelling there, 
it is all-important that the lives of the resident British women 
should embody and demonstrate the domestic virtues and the 
religion which has been the strength of our nation — the 
obedience to the law of GOD, the sense of duty and fair play, 
the self-sacrifice, the honest independence, the love of home — 
and “ Home is what the Woman makes it." 
There are more applicants for passages to South Africa from 
all classes, than can be accepted at present. The best steps 
now, would be for employers in South Africa to send home 
particulars of vacancies for female employees in houses of 
business, as typists, shop assistants, dressmakers, etc., to the 
hon. secretary of the South African Committee at this office. 
Care would be taken to recommend the most suitable persons, 
from among those who have been accepted as eligible. The 
contracts would be drawn up according to the terms agreed 
upon, the employer paying or advancing the passage money. 
The colonists must look beyond their personal desire for white 
domestic servants ; South Africa needs more than these could 
supply : it is by the better educated classes, that a wise rule over 
the native races will be established, and the arts of civilization 
be valued. 
But these pioneers must be capable, practical useful women, 
with a knowledge of household matters, ready “to do the next 
thing” and “ to make something better,” 
The dates of sailings for the next parties of women, 
arranged by the British Women's Emigration Association are, 
July 17 and August 21 for Canada, July 19 and 3A: for South 
Africa, and August x for Australia. 
The arrangements should be completed, in each case a 
fortnight before ; details as to accommodation, etc. to be had 
from the hon. secretary, British Women's Emigration Associ- 
ation, Imperial Institute. 
COLONIES. 
Nova Scotia. — Cost of Living.— Some question having 
been raised by intending settlers in Nova Scotia as to the 
correctness of the statement made in the Canada Circular of 
April, 1902, that in Cape Breton the ordinary rate of rent for a 
small house of three or five rooms is 50s. to £6 per month, 
Mr. Howard, the Agent-General for Nova Scotia in London, has 
forwarded for general information the following extract from a 
letter receiyed from Mr, C. Shields, and vice-president and 
general manager of the Dominion Coal Company, Limited, 
