THE DISPARITY IN OUR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
[To THE EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR."] have during the past few months read several instructive letters in the Spectator on the subject of preferential tariffs with the Colonies, and also letters dealing with the United Kingdom's trade Returns, &c. In all this correspondence I have not seen a point noted which is of considerable importance to Great Britain, and one that should, I think, be kept in mind. - It seems to me that one of England's finest assets is the Colonial tourist,—the man who makes his money in the Colonies, and spends it, not in South Africa or other Colonies, but in Great Britain when he returns to his native country for a holiday or permanently to reside there, as is the general practice. I have estimated the sum spent in Great Britain every year in this manner at something over 220,000,000. This vast sum is entirely spent in Great Britain, and is all clear profit to the country, and is obviously of far greater im- portance to the United Kingdom than a similar sum remitted from the Colonies in payment ot trade purchases. The above sum, which does not appear in Board of Trade Returns, should, as a matter of equity, be allowed for in the export Returns, as it is made to a great extent out of exports from Great Britain, and the Colonial, instead of remaining in the Colonies and purchasing further from England, comes home and spends it on the spot. I do not think that Great Britain need fear if her imports exceed her exports to a moderate extent, provided she continues to make and keep her country a pleasant one to live in, and London the favourite European city for Colonials. Her old traditions, her ruins, her schools, her old Colleges, her green fields, if only looked after by those in authority, will always constitute a fine asset and a sure attraction to the money-spending Colonial.—I am, Sir, &c., New Club, Johannesburg. W. H. Pitman. -
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