EXPORT TRADE. 
At the moment it is not possible to produce statistics to show 
to what extent actual production in this country has been affected as 
compared with the decline in employment, but there are certain 
factors which can be taken into account in this connection which 
may help to show that production has definitely declined and 
thereby confirm the unemployment figures and discount any 
suggestions to the effect that increased: unemployment is due to 
rationalisation or scientific production. 
The most obvious factor to take into account in this way is 
the importation and exportation of machinery. In 1913, this 
country exported on an average 57,449 tons of machinery per 
month, valued at about £2,800,000. The nearest approach which 
the industry has made to the pre-war level in post-war years was 
in 1928 when on a monthly average it exported machinery to the 
extent of 47,163 tons valued at about £4,500,000. The monthly 
average exportation of machinery in the first ten months of 1930 
is about 41,000 tons valued at approximately £4.000.000. 
On the other hand, retained imports of machinery in 1913 
averaged 6,897 tons per month at a value of £500,000. Since 
1927 this volume of machinery imports has increased, and the 
average monthly importation of machinery during 1930 is in the 
neighbourhood of 8.500 tons valued at about £1,400,000. 
It is significant that in 1913 the average value per ton of 
machinery exports was £487 whereas in 1930 for the first ten 
months it is £975. 
The value of retained machinery imports in 1913 was £72 per 
ton and for the first ten months of 1930 about £163-5 per ton. 
It will thus be seen that in ratio the value of imported machinery 
has increased more than the value of British machinery exported. 
Particulars of machinery imports and exports over a period 
of vears are given in Appendix “ B”. 
A comparison of international exports of machinery reveals 
the fact that this country is losing ground in many directions and 
that our competitors are making headway. For example, before 
the war this country supplied, in terms of value, 56-7 per cent. 
a