Harbour Works. Openings for British Trade. JAPAN. The "Japan Mail" announces, in connection with proposed harbour works at Kobe, that the Government have decided to construct at Onohama a large embankment, work on which will be commenced in May or June next. On the Hyogo side large provision of harbour facilities will also be made, chiefly for the purposes of the trade between Japan, China and Korea. The details for Kobe include the following:-A breakwater 1,088 yards in length, a pier 4,890 yards long, at which vessels can be moored, a landing place 230 yards long, iron warehouses (open) 28,456 tsubo in area, wooden warehouses 1,030 tsubo in area, railways 22 miles, and 130 lifting cranes. As regards Hyogo the details are:-2 Wharves, each 140 yards long, a landing place 20 yards long, an iron warehouse (open) 3,000 tsubo in area, frailways 3 miles, 8 lifting cranes, and roads, drains, electric lighting, &c. The total cost of these works is estimated at 32,490,000 yen, and the period of construction will be 8 years. The "Japan Herald" announces, with reference to a proposed scheme for the development of the Hokkaido at a cost of 20,400,000 yen, that the Director of the Local Bureau of the Home Office, who was sent to the Hokkaido to make investigations, has now made a report to the Minister for Home Affairs, his conclusions being mainly in favour of the scheme. The original scheme was to float a loan for the purpose of raising the sum required. Of the proceeds, 15,000,000 yen is to be devoted to the improvement of six harbours, and 2,800,000 yen to the improvement of land. The Home Office is not, however, disposed to sanction the scheme in toto. The portion of the scheme which will probably be sanctioned is said to be limited to the improvement of the land and the construction of three harbours, one of which will be at Otaru. Plant. According to the "Japan Herald" two important electric railway proposals for Kobe are now under consideration Electric Railway by the Government, whose official sanction thereto is expected shortly. The first is that of the Kobe City Electric Railway for permission to connect the Hanjin and the Kobe electric lines near the present terminus of the former line. The second is an application of the Hanjin Electric Railway Company for permission to extend its line to the American Hatoba. An agreement has already been arrived at between the Osaka Municipality and the Hanjin Electric Company concerning the connection of the latter line with the Osaka Harbour electric line. Note.-Tsubo 3.95 square yards. Yen=2s. 0¡d. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS COMMITTEE. The first meeting of the Committee recently appointed by the Board of Trade to make enquiries and report "as to the nature and extent of the benefit accruing to British arts, industries and trade from the participation of this country in great International Exhibitions; whether the results have been such as to warrant His Majesty's Government in giving financial support to similar exhibitions in future; and, if so, what steps, if any, are desirable in order to secure the maximum advantage from any public money expended on this object," was held on the 2nd November, at the offices of the Board of Trade, in Whitehall Gardens. The following is a list of the members of the Committee:-Sir A. E. Bateman, K.C.M.G. (Chairman); Mr. A. Wilson Fox, C.B.; Mr. C. A. Harris, C.B., C.M.G.; Sir James Kitson, Bart., M.P.; Mr. Algernon Law; Mr. Malcolm Ramsay, C.B.; Sir Swire Smith; Sir Isidore Spielmann; and Mr. S. J. Waring. Mr. U. F. Wintour, of the Board of Trade, acts as Secretary to the Committee. FOREIGN TRADE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN I.-GENERAL. The trade returns for October, 1906, when compared with those for the corresponding month of 1905, show increases in the value. of the Imports into the United Kingdom, in the value of the Exports of British produce, and in the value of the Exports of Foreign and Colonial merchandise. The value of the Imports in October, 1906, was 54,639,318., an increase of 5,962,900l., or 12.25 per cent., as compared with October, 1905, whilst the total Exports amounted to 40,376,213., an increase of 4,772,8471. The Exports of British produce show an increase of 3,866,775l., or 13-17 per cent., as compared with October, 1905, whilst there is an increase of 906,0721., or 14:53 per cent. in the Exports of Foreign and Colonial merchandise. II.-IMPORTS. The following table shows the value of the Imports for October, 1906, as compared with the corresponding months of 1905 and 1904, according to the different categories of merchandise :— Reference should be made to the article on "Changes in the Monthly Trade Accounts for 1906," published at pp. 253-5 of the "Board of Trade Journal" of 8th February, 1906, for information as to the changes which have been made this year in these accounts. Foreign Trade of the United Kingdom in October, 1906. IV.-Miscellaneous and Unclassi fied (including Parcel Post) £ 159,525 139,494 217,511 + 78,017 + 57,986 Total value of Imports £49,517,825 48,676,418 54,639,318 + 5,962,900 +5,121,493 The values of the Imports represent the cost, insurance, and freight; or when goods are consigned for sale, the latest sale value of such goods. Comparing the values of the imports of articles last month with those of October, 1905, the chief increases and decreases are as follow: Foreign Trade of the United Kingdom in October, 1906. The following instances of increase in value combined with decrease in quantity, or vice versa, may be noted, viz. :— The following table shows the value of the Exports of British produce for the month of October, 1906, as compared with the Foreign Trade of the United Kingdom in October, 1906. corresponding month of 1905 and 1904, and the increase or decrease in each principal category : A. Coal, coke and manufactured fuel 2,291,690 2,291,663 2,946,111 + 654,448 Mainly Unmanufactured B. Iron ore, scrap iron and steel C. Other metallic ores... G. Other textile materials +++1 +1 33,067 +++ 9,910 654,421 35,727 10,911 6,954 94,289 7,853 383,303 483,431 464,782 fied (including Parcel Post) £ Total value of Exports of British produce... £25,443,687 29,367,556 33,234,331 +3,866,775 | +7,790,644 Exports of Foreign and Colonial Produce. • The values of the Exports represent the cost and the charges of delivering the goods on board the ship, and are known as the "free on board" values. |