3. About 300 houses will be built; not all in one place, but in different parts of the city, so that people of every section will have a chance to buy. Houses will probably be of the semidetached type. with a 25-foot lot for each; the cost to the buyer will be $3,000; and the exterior of the houses will differ in appearance.

The reason why homes will be built for sale only was explained by one of the members of the commission by the statement that "the man who buys a home is more valuable to the city than the man who rents." [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 22, 1919, p. 1428.]

Creation of Department of Industry.

On March 28 the British Columbia legislature approved a bill providing for the creation of a department of industry, for the administration of which the provincial government intends to set aside $2,000,000 to be raised by a domestic loan. This action is to some extent the result of representations made by returned soldiers to the effect that sufficient employment was not being provided, and that the Government should adopt stronger measures. The work of the department of industry will be a wide one, providing, as it does. for industrial research; to carry out an economic survey of natural resources and furnish advice as to the best methods of utilizing the same; to coordinate various industries, bringing together producer, manufacturer, and purchaser; to publish technical, scientific, and statistical information and encourage technical and industrial study; to report on the establishment of industries in British Columbia where it appears such can be profitably carried on; to aid by loan, guaranty, or guaranty of securities on approved plans, any enterprise calculated to encourage the economic and commercial manufacture of the natural resources or products of the Province; and to deal with representative bodies of returned soldiers concerning employment through the establishment of new industries. An advisory council, consisting of not more than seven members, who will serve without pay, representative of the financial, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and labor interests, will assist the minister of industry in this work.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 17, 1919, p. 379.]

Extension of Irrigation.

CHILE.

Plans have been laid before Congress for the construction of secondary canals for feeding the large Laja Canal now nearing completion. It is also intended to ask the Government to extend the irrigation law so as to allow for these branches being built on the same lines as the large canal. This latter will be finished next spring, but will be of little use without these secondary canals. Therefore

it is very urgent that immediate action should be taken. This network of canals would cover about 333 kilometers and cost $1,657,256.— | Mercurio. Dec. 4, 1918.]

Foreign Trade, Monopolization of.

CHINA.

It is reported that a central office for foreign trade has been established which will monopolize the entire import and export trade of China. The venture has been launched by the Japanese financial agent in China, and the requisite capital is said to have come from Japan, only 40 per cent of the shares being in Chinese hands.[Deutscher Aussenhandel, Sept. 25, 1918.]

Shipping.

The Chinese Government is reported as considering favorably a joint proposal made by British and Japanese capitalists for the development of Chinese shipping. Shanghai is said to be developing into an important shipbuilding center. The Wangpoo conservancy board, the body that controls the port of Shanghai, plans an expenditure of $100,000,000 during the next two decades in making the harbor available for largest ocean-going steamships.-[Engineering News-Record, Nov. 2; Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1918.

The American Legation has lodged a protest with the Chinese Government against the sanctioning of an export and import monopoly by a Chinese limited liability company.-[Tribune, New York, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1918.]

New Alphabet.

It is predicted that the change in alphabet recently announced, showing a shift in the political thought of the Empire, will have a marked effect on the future of the new Republic through greatly facilitating the education of the nine-tenths of the population now illiterate. [Times, New York, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1919.]

Conciliation of Local Factions.

The Chinese President has proceeded so far in his efforts at conciliation between the northern and southern factions of the Republic that the solution of the difficulties dividing the country seems now in sight. [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Feb. 8, 1919.]

Disclosure of Secret Treaties.

The conciliation of local factions has been greatly aided by official instructions sent the Chinese delegation in Paris to disclose the secret agreements with Japan.-[Tribune, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.]

Economic Prospects.

CZECHO-SLOVAKIA.

[Including Bohemia.]

From an economic standpoint the Czecho-Slovak is the most prosperous of all the national States in what was formerly the Dual Monarchy. Its wealth in natural products of every sort proves this conclusively. While the output of coal is from 35 to 40 per cent below the peace figures, none is being exported and consequently there is enough to work the railways and important undertakings. The sugar factories are able to handle all beets harvested, and are figuring on having a large surplus of sugar for export. This with a number of other products is intended to procure an equivalent value of foodstuffs and raw materials, especially, the latter which are greatly needed. The harvest is sufficient to feed the population for several months and the prices of foodstuffs have fallen. Production is not normal, however, except in the foodstuffs industry. Textile and other industries are being held back on account of inability to secure foreign raw materials. The banks foresee a great business boom coming and most of them have increased their capital, although for the time being they have no use for it.-[Oesterreichischer Volkswirt, Jan. 11, 1919.]

Agreement with Germany.

A provisional commercial agreement has been made between Germany and Czecho-Slovakia whereby Germany agrees to deliver to the new Republic certain important commodities in return for others needed in Germany. In respect to the traffic on railways, trucks, and coaches the two Governments agree that until further notice this traffic shall be equal in both directions, the details remaining to be settled. Both Governments are prepared to release ships of the other party line and their territory together with the cargo of such ships. They agree that in the interest of an early resumption of railway traffic the detailed regulations shall be settled without delay by direct agreement. The two Governments will place no obstacles in the way of the unhindered passage of diplomatic couriers and their luggage. [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 93.] Oversubscription to Liberty Loan.

The Bohemian Government called for a loan of 500,000,000 crowns. The amount subscribed was 1,948,431,100 crowns by 191,410 subscribers. The loan bears interest at 4 per cent and was issued at par. [Supplement to Ceskoslovenska Samostatinost, Dec. 11 and 25, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.]

Resumption of Trade by the United States.

In accordance with the recognition by the United States State Department of the Czecho-Slovakia Council as an independent Government, and in agreement with other associated Governments, the United States War Trade Board has announced the reestablishment of trade relations with Czecho-Slovakia. Further announcement will define the exact limits of this territory, but in a general way the portion now open to trade is the area which constituted the Provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, as they existed on August 1, 1914. [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 721.]

DENMARK.

Trade Education for the Unemployed.

The ministry of the interior has appointed subcommittees to arrange trade lessons for the unemployed. This will afford an opportunity to equip those out of work for other trades or to educate them so that the forced unemployment may be used to the best possible advantage. One course has been started for unemployed woman servants. A course on automobile questions is to be started for chauffeurs and for laborers on motors. Also courses on staining and polishing will be established for cabinetmakers, and courses on accounting, leveling, iron concrete, understanding of drawings, etc., for laborers. It is planned to get the cooperation of the different trades in this movement.-[Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, p. 149.]

Shipping Activities.

With the prospect of peace at an early date and the resumption of normal trade routes, the Copenhagen free port expects to play an important part in Scandinavian and Baltic trade. Considerable work has been done toward enlarging the area, dockage, and warehouse facilities of the port during the war.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 22, 1919, p. 1427.]

Eight-hour Day for State Employees.

The Government has acceded to the demand for an eight-hour day for all State employees. This will cost the State over $2,000,000 a year, as the new arrangement also allows one day off every week, while the present one gives them only one every two weeks. The Government, however, has refused to grant the extra war allowances which were asked for.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 31, 1919, p. 1612.]

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Aerial Postal Service.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

Austria has had since April an aerial postal line from Vienna to Lemberg; Hungary has instituted one between Budapest and Odessa, and Brest-Litovsk and Kiev; Denmark, between Copenhagen and Skagen, for mails and passengers; and Italy, between Rome and Turin, and between the mainland and Sardinia. A service between Paris, Brussels, and London is contemplated after the war. Lines are projected, but not yet working, between Paris and St. Nazaire; Paris, Marseilles, and Nice; Stockholm and Gulf of Finland; Petrograd and Moscow; Odessa and Constantinople; Stavenger and Aberdeen. In Holland postal air communication is contemplated between Amsterdam and Groningen; and Rotterdam and Groningen.— [Deutscher Aussenhandel, Aug. 15, 1918.]

Agricultural Conditions in England, France, and Italy.

A summary has been issued of the report of the commission sent abroad last August by the United States Department of Agriculture to study agricultural conditions in England, France, and Italy. The report, which was prepared before the armistice was signed, states that the countries at war will become increased consumers of agricultural products when governmental restrictions are removed. Among other recommendations, the commission suggests that an international agricultural council be formed to consider the situation and needs of the various nations with regard to agricultural production.-[Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 7, 1919, p. 1.]

A National Fair in 1919.

FINLAND.

At the suggestion of the commission of commerce and industry, the National Industrial League of Finland has decided to organize a national fair during the summer of 1919, the purpose of which will be to encourage all phases of agricultural, commercial, industrial, social, and educational life of Finland, and to strengthen and ameliorate the industrial and national developments and changes brought about by the war.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 21, 1918, p. 1108.]

FINLAND AND SWEDEN.

Commercial Agreement.

An agreement has been entered into between representatives of the Finnish and Swedish Governments whereby these Governments will aid each other by exporting quantities of goods, the exportation of which will not in any way injure the exporting country; and will also facilitate the transit of goods through the two countries in a