Reference to previous Report, Annual Series No. 5212. Report on the Trade and Commerce of the Consular District of Hamburg (which comprises the Free Cities and Territories of Hamburg, Lübeck and Bremen; the Prussian Province of Schleswig-Holstein with Lauenberg; the Prussian Province of Hanover; the Grand Duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz; the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, &c.) for the Year 1913 By MR. CONSUL-GENERAL WALTER RISLEY HEARN. Introduction.-German trade in general had to contend with many obstacles during the past year, as the uncertainty of the political outlook resulting from the Balkan war had an unfavourable effect on the money market, and the consequent stringency of ready money and the high rates of interest prevailing naturally reacted adversely on business. In addition to these causes, which were more or less universally felt, German trade was specially affected by the disturbed financial conditions which still prevail in the United States of America and still more so by the financial crises in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, which reduced the purchasing power of these countries and hit German exporters severely. It may therefore be taken as a proof of the growing soundness of German trade and industry, which in the latter case is due mainly to the continual technical improvements which have been effected, that they were able to withstand these various adverse circumstances without suffering more severely, and that the prospects for the coming year are more favourable than they might have been. Hamburg itself experienced a satisfactory year, as is shown by the fact that the total imports and exports of the port (which are given in Tables 1 and 2) amounted to 235,000,000l. and 193,000,000l. respectively, an increase of over 10,000,000l. in the former case and of nearly 15,500,000l. in the latter over the previous year. Imports of food-stuffs have once more shown a decrease, amounting to nearly 3,000,000l., in comparison with 1912. Exports, on the other hand, showed a decided increase. As regards raw material, there were notable increases in both imports and exports under this heading, but the volume of trade in textiles remained practically stationary, only showing a slight increase. Trade with the United Kingdom.-It will be seen from the figures given in the following table that there was an increase in the total volume of imports from the United Kingdom, accompanied, however, by a decrease in the value of the goods imported. Coal imports again showed an increase and the value of the imports of this article. amounted to more than 3,000,000l., the highest figure yet recorded: Table 3 shows that increases were recorded in the import of the following articles :-Coffee, cocoa, herrings, coal, fresh fish, tin, leather, tallow, sheep's wool, cotton and wool waste, jute, linen yarn, sacks and sacking, rope; but, on the other hand, the figures show a decrease in the import of rubber, pig iron, sheet iron, train oil, cotton-seed oil, oil cake, cotton yarn, woollen goods, carpets, paper, coarse iron goods and sewing machines. The following figures respecting the export trade from Hamburg to the United Kingdom show a considerable increase for the year under review, which is an evidence of the prosperous condition of trade at Hamburg 1911 1912 1913 ... Cwts. £ The principal articles exported to the United Kingdom showing an increase were sugar (raw and crystals), fresh fruit, potatoes, eggs, caustic potash, other salts, tin ore, copper wire, mineral lubricating oils, cocoanut oil, cotton waste, wooden articles, paper, pottery, coarse iron goods, tinware, pianos and toys. On the other hand, the following articles of export showed a decrease: Asphalt, rubber, nitrates, lead, crude zinc, shoe leather, oil cake, hosiery, &c. It is, as stated in previous years, not possible to furnish statistics of the trade between Hamburg and Ireland as no special returns thereof are kept at this port. Tables 3 and 4 (annexed) contain respectively a comparison of the imports from and the exports to the United Kingdom at Hamburg for the three years 1911-13. These tables have been thoroughly revised to bring them up to date by the inclusion of various articles which were previously not of sufficient importance to figure in the list. Tea. The tea market suffered in 1913 from wars and political troubles, the dearness of money, unfavourable trade conditions, deficiency of harvests in some producing countries and the enhanced values resulting. The production from all sources in 1912 amounted to about |