Imports of Agricultural Produce into the United Kingdom. Account showing the Quantities of certain kinds of Agricultural Produce imported into the United Kingdom in the week ended 1st December, 1906, together with the quantities imported in the corresponding week of the previous year.

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.

TRADE RETURNS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.

The Monthly Accounts relating to the Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom for the month of October, 1906, have been published. The accounts, which are issued on the 7th or 8th of each month, may be purchased at a cost, in the present instance, of 1s. 3d. per copy, either directly or through any bookseller, from Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Fetter Lane, E.C., and 32, Abingdon Street, S.W.; or Messrs. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh; or Edward Ponsonby, 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.

Attention is further called to the fact that the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom with Foreign Countries and British Possessions" for the year 1905, in two volumes, may be purchased at a cost of 7s. 8d. for the first, and 4s. 2d. for the second volume, at any of the addresses enumerated above. This publication, which contains much more detailed and exhaustive information than can be given in the Monthly Accounts, gives Abstract Tables for the years 1901-1905, and detailed statements of imports and exports of each article (from and to each country) in the first volume, and in the second volume details as to customs revenue, transhipments, and articles in bond, and particulars of the trade of the United Kingdom with each foreign country.

THE BOARD OF TRADE LABOUR GAZETTE.

The "Board of Trade Labour Gazette"* is published by the Board of Trade on the 16th of each month. The following are among the more important articles which appear in the November issue-State of the Labour Market in October; Relief of the Unemployed; Mines and Quarries-Numbers Employed, Accidents, and Output; Report of the Local Government Board, 1905-1906; Subvention of Unemployed Benefit Funds in France; Report of Irish Poor Law Commission.

FOREIGN OFFICE REPORT.

The following is a résumé of some of the more interesting subjects dealt with in a Consular Report of the Annual Series issued since the last number of the "Board of Trade Journal."

ANNUAL SERIES.

No. 3,734. Trade of Switzerland, 1905.

Analysis of import and export trade, with notes on important increases and de

creases.

Tables of values of importations of principal manufactured articles, showing share of United Kingdom.

Comparison of the number of commercial travellers visiting Switzerland from various countries.

Hints on increasing British trade, appointment of agents, &c. Swiss trade with India, Australia and Canada.

* It can be purchased through any newsagent, price 1d.

Government Publications.

COLONIAL OFFICE REPORTS.

Reports from the following British Colonies have been issued by the Colonial Office since the last number of the "Board of Trade Journal," viz. :

OTHER GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.

Statistical Abstract for the Principal and other Foreign Countries in each year from 1894 to 1903-04. [Cd. 3,136.] Price 1s. 6d.

This is the thirty-second issue of this Abstract, which is prepared annually in the Commercial, Labour and Statistical Department of the Board of Trade, and contains statements in regard to the trade, navigation, agriculture, railways, telegraph and telephone systems, finance, mineral production, &c., of the principal foreign countries for a series of years, the information in each case being carried down to the latest year-in the majority of cases 1904-for which data have been received in the Board of Trade from the statistical departments of the various Foreign Governments. New tables appear in the present issue dealing with the import and export trade of Brazil, and with the production and consumption of cotton in the United States of America.

Post Office Agreement between the Post Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Post Office of Nicaragua for the direct exchange of parcels by Parcel Post. [Cd. 3,227.] Price 21d.

Report on the Sea and Inland Fisheries of Ireland for 1905. Purt I.— General Report. [Cd. 3,194.] Price 1s. 4d.

According to this report, the total quantity of sea fish (other than shell fish) captured in 1905 was 998,206 cwts., valued at 360,5771. In 1904 the corresponding figures were 951,836 cwts. and 344,154. Including shell fish, the total value for 1905 was 414,3647., and for 1904, 393,6301.

There were 6,190 vessels engaged in the sea fisheries in 1905, as compared with 6,221 in 1904, whilst 23,778 men and 510 boys were employed, being 123 men less and 48 boys more than in the previous year.

THE COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE BRANCH OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.

The Intelligence Branch of the Commercial Department of the Board of Trade (No. 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.C.) is intended to be a centre at which information on all subjects of commercial interest shall be collected and focussed in a form convenient for reference, and at which, so far as the interests of British trade permit, replies shall be given to enquiries by traders on commercial matters.

On application being made to it either personally or by letter, the Branch supplies, so far as is possible, information with regard to the following subjects, viz.: Commercial Statistics; Matters relating to Foreign and Colonial Tariffs and Customs Regulations; Lists of firms abroad engaged in particular lines of business in different localities; Foreign and Colonial Contracts open to Tender. Sources of Supply, Prices, &c., of Trade Products; Forms of Certificates of Origin; Regulations concerning Commercial Travellers, &c., &c. There is a Sample Room at the offices of the Branch, where, in addition to samples illustrative of reports of H.M. Consuls or of the Correspondents or Spécial Commissioners of the Board of Trade, specimens of special interest that may be received from the Imperial Institute, India, or the Colonies, &c., are exhibited from time to time.

The Governments of India, Canada, Cape of Good Hope, and Queensland, also the Governments of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, have established, in proximity to the Commercial Intelligence Branch, at 73, Basinghall Street, special offices for dealing with trade matters (see next page).

The "Board of Trade Journal" is the principal medium through which intelligence collected by the Commercial Intelligence Branch, and intended for general information, is conveyed to the public. The "Journal" is issued weekly at the price of 1d. All applications respecting subscription, or the purchase of single copies, should be addressed in London to Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, E.C., and 32, Abingdon Street, S.W.; in Edinburgh to Messrs. Oliver & Boyd; and in Dublin to Edward Ponsonby, 116, Grafton Street. Copies may also be obtained from Messrs. G. Street & Co., Ltd., 30, Cornhill, E.C.

SPECIAL INDIAN AND COLONIAL
TRADE ENQUIRY Offices.

India. The India Trade Enquiry Office at 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.C., has been established for the purpose of supplying the general public with all available information as to the commercial products, manufactures and trades of British India.

The office is under the superintendence of an India Office official, who is in daily attendance to answer personal or written enquiries. The current publications of the Government of India dealing with Indian Trade statistics, tariff charges, railways, economic products, &c., are kept in the office, and can be consulted free: the various Indian Directories are also filed.

Canada. The Canadian Government have secured premises at 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.C., where an office has been opened under the designation of "Canadian Government City Trade Branch," for the convenience of the commercial community.

In due course it is intended to equip and maintain a display room, illustrating the products, resources and manufactures of the Dominion. In the meantime, a Canadian representative attends daily to deal with enquiries and applications in connection with Canadian import and export trade, and to supply information about Canadian matters generally. Personal appointments can be arranged when desired.

Cape of Good Hope.-The Government of the Cape of Good Hope have opened offices at 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.C., for the purpose of a Commercial Agency for that Colony, under the direction of the Agent-General.

The Commercial Agent in charge of these offices deals with, and supplies free, information on trade subjects connected with the Colony, such as commercial products, industries, trade, tariff regulations, commercial statistics, railway rates, prospects for emigration, &c., &c.

Queensland. For the convenience of the commercial community in the City of London, the Agent-General for Queensland has opened a branch office at 73, Basinghall Street, London, E.C., where a representative attends daily to give information to enquirers regarding trade, mining, and all other matters in connection with Queensland.

A collection of articles representative of the pastoral, agricultural, and mining industries of Queensland are on view, and information regarding these industries can be obtained at the Office, as above.

Transvaal and Orange River Colony.-A Trade Enquiry Office has been opened at 73, Basinghall Street, E.C., by the Governments of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, on the lines of the agency established at the same address by the Government of Cape Colony, but under the general direction of the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade.

The Superintendent in charge of the Office deals with, and supplies free, information in regard to the products and resources of the two Colonies, the opportunities they present to the settler, their railway facilities, the regulations of all kinds in force in them affecting trade, &c., &c.