The Board of Trade Returns for the six months ending
on . June 30th show that our commercial prosperity is greater than ever. The total imports amounted to £328,365,300, as compared with £300,549,553 in the first half-year of 1906, and the total exports were £257,866,725, as compared with £225,012,39S. And it is to be remembered that 1906 was itself a "record" year. One extremely encouraging point is the great increase in the importation of raw materials. The total imports were £131,966,654, as compared with £105,237,607 in 1906. This is an increase of nearly £27,000,000. It is half accounted for by the continued prosperity of the cotton trade. We note that the value of the export trade in motor-cars has risen from £304,108 in the first half of 1906 to £583,706. Yet we used to be assured that the motor industry could not possibly grow and flourish in this country unless it received the fostering care of a tariff.
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