IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. [October, 1902.] 273 
Vol. VIII. No. 94. 
MONTHLY COMMERCIAL AND 
INDUSTRIAL SUMMARIES. 
GENERAL COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Science and Industry.— An important report has just been 
issued respecting the recent enquiry of a special sub-committee 
of the Technical Education Board of the London County 
Council on “The Application of Science to Industry.” The 
committee arrived at the conclusion that “ various branches of 
industry have during the past twenty or thirty years been lost to 
this country owing to the competition of foreign countries ; that 
in many others our manufacturers have fallen seriously behind 
their foreign rivals ; that London in particular has distinctly 
suffered ; and that these losses are to be attributed in no small 
degree to the superior scientific education provided in foreign 
countries.” 
While some of the witnesses examined attributed the relative 
backwardness of this country in scientific industries partly to 
other causes, they were practically all agreed in considering it 
due, in the main, to the deficiencies of our educational system. 
It did not appear that the training of the workmen was at fault. 
It is believed that the opportunities now open to the London 
workman for obtaining technical education in his trade are 
actually superior to those enjoyed by the German or American 
workman. Summing up all the evidence, the committee are 
convinced that the main causes of our relative failure in the 
chemical, optical, and electrical industries are the following; 
(a) The lack of scientific training of the manufacturers them- 
selves, and their consequent inability to recognise the importance 
of scientific assistance ; (h) the defective condition of our 
secondary education, and the consequent lack of sufficiently- 
prepared recruits for advanced technological training ; (c) the 
lack of a sufficient supply of young men who have been trained, 
not only in scientific principles and method, but also in the 
application of science to particular industrial processes ; (if) the 
lack of any institution providing advanced technological training 
which is sufficiently equipped and endowed to enable it to give 
adequate attention to post-graduate or advanced work. There 
is a consensus of opinion that the highest grade of technical 
education must be carried on in an institution of university rank 
during the day. The few hours which can be given in the 
evening by those who are engaged in business during the day, 
are insufficient for training in research. 
Sir Henry Roscoe voiced a general opinion in declaring that 
“the most important requirement here, in order to provide the 
necessary training for leaders of industry, is a perfectly-equipped 
school for theoretical and applied science, similar to those of 
Charlottenburg, Zurich, and Munich, with several professors in 
each faculty, such as chemistry, engineering, etc. 
Cotton and the Decimal System, — The following official 
announcement has been made by the Liverpool Cotton Associa- 
tion : — 
On and after October 1 next trading in “spot" and 
“futures” American cotton in Liverpool will be in hundredth 
parts of a penny per pound instead of sixty-fourth parts ; and 
on the same date the discount of one and a half per cent, 
hertofore allowed will be abolished. This important change in 
terms will result in a lowering of quotations by approximately 
4-64^, to 5-64d. , or 6-iood, to 7-iood. per pound, being the 
equivalent of the discount no longer given, the net value thus 
remaining unaltered. On the same date the weight of the 
American cotton contract for futures will be altered from 
47,200 lb. to 48,000 lb. 
COLONIES. 
Cape Coal, — It is stated in the Cape Government Railway 
report that under a contract which has been entered into, with 
certain reservations, rather more than half the coal used on the 
Cape railways during the current year will be obtained from 
mines situated on the banks of the Vaal river at a cost of 10s. per 
ton at the pit's mouth, while arrangements that have been entered 
into with coal-mining companies in Cape Colony will enable 
the department to obtain a very considerable quantity of coal 
suitable for railway purposes on much more favourable terms 
than formerly. It is hoped that as the result of the purchase by 
the Government of the Cape collieries line for the purpose of 
adding to the area of available Cape colonial coal supply, as 
well as such extensions of short railway branches as have been 
provisionally authorised for the same purpose, a larger supply of 
Cape colonial coal at moderate prices will become available. 
During the year 1901 the total average price paid for colonial 
coal was 19s. 2d. per ton of 2,000 lb., and for imported coal 
52s. 3‘7d. per ton of 2,000 lb. It is considered that a saving of 
at least ,£200,000 per annum in the cost of coal at the rate 
of consumption in 1901 can and should be effected after paying 
a reasonable price ior Cape coal. 
Cape Fruit Trade. — The Cape fruit imported into England 
during the 1902 season, just ended, yielded on the whole very 
satisfactory results. According to a report drawn up by 
Mr. G. E. Hudson, of Suffolk House, Laurence Pountney-hill, 
E.C, , the quality and condition of the past season's fruit showed 
improvement on those of previous years’ consignments — grapes 
perhaps excepted — and the pecuniary outcome has been a far 
better one for shippers generally. The following are the imports 
of the 1902 season, as compared with the four previous ones, 
viz.: — 1898, 9,169 boxes; 1899, 10,817 boxes; 1900, 
17,336 boxes ; 1901, 17,263130x0$; and 1902, 14,99860x03. Of 
the last quoted total no less than 5,896 boxes contained grapes, 
3,068 plums, 2,512 peaches, and 1,999 naartjes (a kind of orange), 
the remainder containing pears, apricots, nectarines, apples, 
quinces, pines, oranges, and lemons. Mr. Hudson maintains 
that until grapes, for instance, are properly stored in ships' cold 
chambers, where they can get an abundance of dry as well as 
cold air, they will never be carried successfully. The 1901 grape 
season, he says, was a failure, and the 1902 season was not 
“ very much better.” If one shipment of grapes arrived in good 
condition the next was very wet, and it was thus impossible to 
maintain a paying price. “And yet,” Mr. Hudson adds, 
“ there is a big trade to be done in Cape grapes in this country 
if we can only get them here in as good condition as we used to.” 
Federated Malay States. — The report on the Federated 
States of the Malay Peninsula for the past year is highly satis- 
factory in almost every respect. The revenue was the highest 
ever obtained. Mining and planting were both prosperous. 
T'he production of tin, which is the chief industry of the States, 
was 46,960 tons, so that, although prices were low, the 
aggregate value was about 5^ millions sterling, or over 53^ 
million dollars. The cost of living and of working the mines 
has so greatly increased of late years, while the exchange value 
of the dollar has so decreased, that any serious fall in the price 
of tin would inevitably lead to a number of the mines being 
obliged to stop. At 60 dollars per picul (133,^ lb.), says the 
report, this would take place ; last year the average price was 
67^- dollars. The European planters of Liberian coffee were 
disappointed l) the low prices prevailing last year ; nevertheless, 
gi-3 c/Ha 
in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, the European estates are 
nearly all in good order, and there is a general improvement in 
the quality of the coffee. The export last year was over 
3,000 tons. The cultivation of rubber is rapidly extending, and 
the reports as to it are most encouraging. The total trade of 
the States last year was 102^ million dollars, against q 8J 
millions in 1900. The imports were nearly 39.^, and the exports 
over 63* million dollars. As to railways, there were open at the 
end of the year 147 miles in Perak, and 97 miles in Selangor, 
the net revenue from which was over a million dollars. There 
has been a great increase in the population on account of the 
rapid expansion of tin mining, the employment of large numbers 
of labourers in railways and other public works, and the steady 
growth of planting and agriculture. Pahang, a large State on 
the east coast, which was the last to join the Federation, is also 
progressing, but is in great need of improved communication 
with the west coast. A line of railway for the purpose is in 
contemplation. 
Lagos Planting Industry. — The following interesting 
report on the subject of the cocoa and cotton industries at 
Lagos has recently been forwarded by the Governor of Lagos : — 
“ Report by the Superintendent of Forests on the Cultivation 
of Cocoa in the Colony of Lagos (Officer in Charge, Secretariat). 
A considerable increase in cocoa planting has taken place, and 
is still continuing. Should the results of the small shipments 
now going forward prove profitable, there will be a large export 
of cocoa within a few years as the trees now being planted come 
into bearing. We have lately started a planters' society in 
Abeokuta for the discussion of matters of this kind, and also for 
the spreading of accurate information on planting subjects. 
1 note that the Lagos Chamber of Commerce speaks very con- 
fidently as to the future prospects of cocoa. However rosy these 
may seem, they are not a bit more hopeful than were those of 
coffee in 1893. It was at about that date that planting began to 
be taken up in Egba, and a great deal of land has been under 
coffee, which is now bearing well. Last year, at the instigation 
of Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Co., we did our utmost to 
spread the cultivation of cotton, distributing seed all over the 
country. Fanners have taken it up well, and a large quantity 
of land is being planted with it this dry season. What we really 
want now are one, or perhaps two, central factories, with steam 
power and machines, for turning out the produce in a marketable 
form at a reasonable price. Cocoa — should no over-planting 
take place, as happened in the case of coffee — is well adapted in 
its preparation to the family industry on a native farm. Coffee 
— there are two points. We have a large quantity now of trees 
in bearing, and the price, I suppose, cannot be counted on at 
over 30s. It cannot be picked and cleaned at this price with 
hand labour, but a central factory, with one of Howe’s hullers 
and steam power, could, I think, do it, and leave a fair margin, 
so as at least to give a new export, and avoid the waste of 
all the labour expended in coffee planting. In fact, throughout 
the cocoa, coffee and cotton planting industries, as well as in 
connection with the proposed cultivation of agave fibre, the need 
for the central factory system becomes more and more apparent. 
Natal. — Mining Prospects — In his recently-issued 
report on the mining industry of Natal for the year 1901, 
Mr. C. J. Gray, A. R.S.M., Commissioner of Mines, states that 
mining “has been more successful than in any previous 
year.” The output of coal was, it appears, in excess of anv 
previous output, being 569,200 tons, of a value at the mine of 
approximately £549,439. The highest annual output previous 
to the past year was 387,811 tons in 1898. Seventeen collieries 
produced coal in 1901, against fourteen in 1900. The output 
of the new producers was, however, only 2,015 tons, or o'3 per 
cent, of the total.” The Commissioner adds that the output of 
coal would have been considerably larger but for the difficulty 
of obtaining transport from the collieries, owing to the demands 
on the railway for military and other transport, and lack of 
native labour for underground work. The transport difficulty 
was the more acute in the earlier portion of the year, and the 
labour difficulty later. In regard to gold mining the report 
states that the output was declared at 156 - i6 oz. , equivalent to 
135 fine ounces of a value of £531. The amount of rock 
crushed was approximately 1,444 tons, so the yield was only 
2 dwt. fine gold per ton. During the year attention has been 
given to the possibility of obtaining gold at a profit from the 
rivers of the colony by means of dredges, but the Commissioner 
says it is impossible for him to forecast “ with any accuracy the 
possibility of gold-dredging in Natal.” 
INDIA. 
Import and Export Trade. — The official review of the 
trade of India for the year ending March 31, 1902, shows that 
both imports and exports largely increased as compared with 
the previous year. The following are the figures in rupees : 
Imports. 
Merchandise 
Gold .... 
Silver. 
1900-01. 
76,27,78,853 
11,87,13,827 
4,59,22,253 
1901-02, 
81,47,08,170 
8,29,76,20? 
11. 35 . 07 -S 9 I 
Total Imports 
92,74,14,933 
101,11,91,966 
Exports. 
Foreign Merchandise 
re-exported . 
Indian merchandise . 
Gold .... 
Silver. , . , 
1900-01. 
3,20,85,314 
104,16,04,984 
4,30,58,851 
3,16,85,700 
1901-02. 
3,26,03,218 
121,20,45,021 
3,36,64,788 
5,09,60,877 
Total Exports 
114,84,34,849 
132,92,73,904 
Imports — It will be seen that the imports of merchandise 
increased in value by £3,462,000, much of the increase 
indicating the restoration to the people of purchasing and 
consuming capacity, and the resumption of industrial operations, 
after the period of depression had passed away. Cotton goods 
and yarn increased by about £2,040,000, and there was a 
marked revival of activity in the imports of machinery and 
mill work, metals, mineral oils, railway material, coal, 
chemicals, and dyes. The importations of beet sugar were very 
large during the year, exceeding substantially the heavy imports 
of 1897-98, which led to the imposition in 1899 of counter- 
vailing duties on bounty-fed sugar. Of the aggregate quantity 
of sugar imported into India last year quite 54 per cent, was 
beet sugar, and of this the great mass — bounty-fed — was 
imported from Austria-Hungary and Germany — 141,753 tons 
out of the 151,517 tons imported, sugar of Austrian origin 
representing 112,896 tons. The import trade in synthetic 
indigo was very active, reaching a value of 65,74,638 rupees. 
It is suggested that it is possible that British dyes may now try 
the market, “ but the Continental manufacturers, represented 
in the main by the well-known Badische Fabrik, whose 
operations with synthetic indigo have so rudely interfered with 
Indian indigo in the European markets, have secured a strong 
position for their dyes here.” 
Exports. — The exports of Indian merchandise increased 
by £11,362,000, the increase being at the rate of 16 per cent. 
Most of the improvement may be assigned to the agricultural 
products, which are such dominating factors in the export 
trade. The return of a good season, with good harvests, led to 
a trade greatly in excess of that of the previous year in rice, 
wheat, oil seeds, cotton and jute. The ability to supply these 
articles to the consuming markets found those markets ready to 
take them at profitable prices, and the trade of the year was, 
on the whole, of advantage for the exporter as well as for the 
producer. 
New Outlets for Tea. — Messrs. Harrisons and Crosfield’s 
report with reference to the Indian and Ceylon tea markets 
states: — “In the direction of finding new outlets for surplus 
supplies, an interesting experiment has been in progress amongst 
the native populations of India for the last twelve months, said 
to be the outcome of a suggestion of the Viceroy, and assisted 
by contributions of tea from the principal planters and a grant 
of money from the Tea Association : namely, the hawking of 
small packets of Indian tea through the country, containing 
about j-oz., which are sold for one pice, or one-twelfth of a penny 
English. In this manner, the sales for the twelve months have 
been 330,000 lb. ; the demand is rapidly growing, and the pro- 
moters are sanguine enough to anticipate a sale of 20,000,000 lb. 
annually in a few’ years, which, if realised, would more than take 
off the present surplus." 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Cotton Goods Trade in Cuba. — The United States Minister 
to Cuba, Mr. H. G. Squiers, reporting under date of August 12, 
says that American manufacturers have failed either to study or 
to heed certain requirements which he deems indispensable, if 
they expect to gain and retain the cotton-goods trade in the new 
Republic. He says that they rely almost wholly upon the export 
commission houses of New York which are engaged in the 
Spanish-American trade, and that, when occasionally they send 
a direct representative to work up trade, he is almost certain to 
have no knowledge of Spanish, so that he must transact business 
through interpreters. He also says that the European houses, 
with which the Cubans have so long been accustomed to deal, 
are very liberal in the matter of credits. In spite of this liberality, 
failures are very rare among the Cuban importers of textile 
fabrics. He goes further, however, than most foreign officials 
in laying down very plain requirements, which he insists should 
be complied with, Among them are “special and careful 
packing, giving exact and minute details of goods in the invoices 
or on a separate memorandum attached to invoices. This 
should specify marks and number of packages and gross and 
net weights. The net weight of each separate class of goods 
contained in a single case should be specified ; how each is 
packed, whether without wrapper or wfith paper wrappers or 
pasteboard boxes, and the net weight, with and without wrappers 
and pasteboards ; the total number of pieces of each class or 
quality, the total number of yards, price per yard, width, whether 
white, crude, printed, or manufactured with dyed yarns ; and 
whether mixed with wool, silk, or linen. On the foregoing data 
depends the tariff classification ; for this reason the statement is 
essential to the merchant here, as it remarkably facilitates his 
Customs declarations." He says that the British have by far the 
largest share of the cotton-goods trade, while Spain and the 
United States are close rivals, the former surpassing the latter in 
some important branches, notably in knitted hosiery and under- 
wear. As to the efforts to gain a general trade in other lines, he 
insists that too much importance cannot be attached to labelling 
and advertising goods in the Spanish language, this being 
absolute!}’' essential to their ready sale and popularity. 
German. Trade with Africa. — The Imperial Statistical 
Department has published an account of German Trade wfith 
Africa during 1901. The export and import trades combined 
exceed 10,000,000 marks (£500,000) in value only in the case of 
Egypt and of the British possessions in South and West Africa. 
The value of the imports from Egypt amounted to 32,100,000 
marks (£1,605,000), a considerable decrease, and the exports to 
16,500,000 marks (,£324.000), a slight increase. The principal 
imports were raw cotton, cigarettes and onions, the principal 
exports iron and ironware, textile fabrics, articles of precious 
metal, clay and porcelain ware, and machines. The import of 
raw cotton w as less than that of the preceding year ; the export 
of iron and ironware has increased. The value of the imports 
from British South Africa was 21.900,000 marks (,£1,095,000), 
the value of the exports 20,000,000 marks (£’1,000,000).'' Both 
have increased, the imports by 3,300,000 (£'165,0001, the exports 
by 7,500,000 marks (£375,000). The principal articles of import 
were raw wool and ostrich feathers, and of export, beer in 
bottle, iron and textile wares, sugar, cement, pianos, and 
machines. There has been an increase in most articles of export, 
and in the import of raw wool. The imports from British West 
Africa show’ a value of 30,900,000 marks (£1,545,000), while the 
exports amounted to only 7,600,000 marks (£380,000). Imports 
have slightly increased and exports slightly decreased. The 
principal articles imported were palm nuts, palm oil, caoutchouc, 
and gutta-percha ; the exports included perfumer}’, spirits, and 
coarse and fine ironware. The import of palm nuts has increased 
considerably. 
+ 
LABOUR MARKET. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Wages and Hours of Labour in 1901.— The annual 
report by the Labour Department of the Board of Trade on 
changes in rates of wages and hours of labour in the United 
Kingdom in 1901 records a decline in wages since 1895, thus 
confirming the forecast made in last year's report. Mr. H. L. 
Llewellyn Smith, in his introductory letter, mentions that for 
the first* time since 1895 a decline in wages has to be recorded. 
During the past year about 430,000 workpeople received advances 
amounting to £41,000 per week, while 493,000 had to submit to 
decreases amounting to £118,000 per week. The net weekly- 
decrease for 1901 was thus £ 77,000 , against increases of 
£209,000 in 1900 and £91,000 in 1899. The decline is accounted 
for “ mainly by the fall in miners' " wages, the rise in which was 
the predominant feature of the statistics for the years 1898-1900. 
The fall in wages in this industry accounted "for over 80 per 
cent, of the total weekly decrease in 1901, A considerable 
decline also occurred in the metal trades, averaging 4s. id. pe 
head, but only 21,121 were affected. In the remaining industries 
the net result for the year was a slight increase. It is estimated 
that, taking into account the various dates at which the changes 
came into operation, the net decrease in the wages bill of 1901 
due to changes recorded in this report was about £1,584,000, 
This compares with a net increase of £6,000,000 in 1900. The 
best feature recorded in the report is the increased tendency to 
settle changes by conciliation or arbitration. During 1901 only 
two per cent, of the workpeople whose wages were changed 
were engaged in disputes on this account. This percentage is 
the lowest recorded. In the case of three-fourths of the work- 
people, the changes were arranged by conciliation, arbitration, 
wages board, sliding scales, and similar machinery. This fact 
is, of course, connected with the prevalence of agencies of this 
kind in the coal and iron trades which were those most affected 
by the wages changes in 1901. During the first half of 1902 
the fall in wages in the mining industry has continued and 
become even more wide-spread ; the total number of miners 
affected by the reductions in this period have been no less than 
