6
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE:
on the 4th January 1900. That the contents of the “ Journal ” are widely
appreciated is shown by the many quotations from it which appear in
various publications at home and abroad, and by the inquiries which are
constantly being received in the Branch respecting it. The section in the
•“ Journal ” to which particular attention appears to be paid by the home
press is that devoted to “ Openings for British Trade,” in which information
as to possible openings for trade abroad, and especially information relating
to contracts open to tender, is brought under the notice of the commercial
community. Prominence is of course given in the “ Journal” to the publication
of new customs tariffs both of Foreign countries and of British
possessions, and of notices relating to changes in customs tariff's. New tariffs
have occasionally been published as separate supplements to the “ Journal.”
Since the incorporation of the “ Imperial Institute Journal,” with the
“Board of Trade Journal,” which took place at the beginning of 1903, a
special quarterly supplement has been issued under the title of “ The Imperial
Institute Bulletin,” which contains particulars of the work of the Institute
at South Kensington, and reports of investigations carried out by the
Scientific and Technical Department of the Institute as to the economic
value of various products as well as scientific notes on matters of commercial
interest.
In addition to the preparation and publication of the “ Journal,” the
Branch also issues the “ Monthly Accounts Relating to the Trade and
Commerce of certain Foreign Countries and British Possessions.” It has
also issued occasional Blue Books, such as “ The Trade and Shipping of
South-East Asia” (with Map and Statistical Tables), Cd. 324/1901; two
volumes of extracts from Diplomatic and Consular Reports, viz., “ Leather,”
1902, and “ Coal,” 1903 ; a Memorandum on “ Certificates of Origin ”
(Cd. 1446/1903) ; and a Memorandum summarising the regulations in force
in Foreign Countries with regard to Commercial Travellers’ Licences
(Cd. 1961/1904).
Among other branches of work undertaken by the Intelligence Branch
are the compilation of the Annual Index to the Consular Reports ; the
preparation of extracts from the Diplomatic and Consular Reports relative to
particular trades in order to facilitate reference ; and the preparation of Lists
of possible Purchasers of British goods in various countries, compiled from
information sent home by His Majesty’s Consuls.
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The following may be indicated as among the principal subjects upon
which inquiries are most frequently received by the Intelligence Branch :—-Trade
Statistics (British and Foreign).
The Names of Firms abroad engaged in particular Trades and
Industries.
Foreign and Colonial Customs Tariffs and Customs Regulations.
Openings for Trade in the Colonies and Foreign Countries.
Foreign, Indian, and Colonial Contracts open to Tender.
Sources of Supply, Prices, &c., of Trade Products.
Forms of Certificates of Origin required by Foreign and Colonial
Governments.
Regulations concerning Commercial Travellers.
Since the establishment of the Branch it has received a large number of
inquiries, both personal and in writing, on the subjects referred to above, as
well as on many other topics. The work of answering many of these has
involved considerable research and a large amount of labour.
• J!
During the year 1900, 1,244 inquiries were addressed to the Branch.
Of these 945 were made by letter, while 299 were made personally. In
1901 the applications for information numbered 1,614; in 1902 they rose
to 2,358; and in 1903 they were 3,599. In 1901, 1,220 applications were
