The annual statistical tables relating to the coal trade in
the British Empire were issued this week.. In round numbers, the total coal production of the world is now about 790,000,000 tons, of which the United Kingdom produces rather less, and the United States rather more, than a third; but as compared with population, the production of the United Kingdom still surpasses that in the United States, amounting to nearly five and a half tons, as against a little less than four tons, per head. In Australia and the Cape the output was slightly less than in the previous year, but in British India, Canada, New Zealand, and Natal there were increases. The export figures for the United Kingdom, Germany, and the States for 1903 were the greatest recorded, the excess of exports over imports being respectively 63,802,000, 13,524,000, and 4,954,000 tons. It is pointed out, however, that this question is complicated by the fact that the published returns do not in all cases show the procedure with regard to " bunker " coal, which varies in different countries. In the United Kingdom the figures given for exports include coal for the use of steamers engaged in foreign trade, the amount shipped in 1903 being 16,799,848 tons, as against 15,148,115 in 1902. As regards consumption, Belgium is the only country in which the per capita consumption of coal approximates to that of the United Kingdom and the United States. Both in France and Germany the consumption per head appears small, but in these countries a large quantity of fuel of other sorts is used. Finally, it may be noted that of British self-governing Colonies, the Cape alone is dependent on us for any consider- able proportion of its supply. In Australia nearly the whole consumption of each State consists of the produce of that State, supplemented by imports from New South Wales.
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