1 MARCH 1935, Page 51

TRADE wrrn THE Not the least satisfactory feature of the.

latest Board of Trade figures showing the direction of our trade during 1934 is the 'slight increase in the proportion of Empire trade as com- pared with- our 'total -trade. Thni as regards Imports, the proportion of all our Imports. from (Iversen .Dominions to the total of ()verses trade was over 37 - per cent. as compared with 26.9 per cent. a year ago, while our Exports to these Dominions in proportion to our total oversea trade were 46.8 per cent. compared with 44.4 per cent. a year ago. These Empire figures plainly reveal the effects of improving pro- sperity in our ()verses Dominions as reflected in their increased

purchasing power. . - - s * * *