The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries : statistical summary (production, imports and exports) 1938-1944

Before the war the Statistical Summary was published annually covering statistics for the previous three years, the last issue being that for the years 1936 to 1938. This present volume gives the year 1938 in order that the years covered by the war up to 1944 may be compared with a normal pre-war year. Some of the trade statistics for European countries are, however, not strictly comparable owing to the "annexation" of certain territories by Germany, e.g., the Customs barriers of Germany were extended between 1938 and 1940 to include Sudetenland, Danzig and other parts of Poland, Alsace-Lorraine, Luxemburg, Bohemia and Moravia; Figures for the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are not available after 1938 owing to their incorporation into the U.S.S.R. Trade statistics for Japan as published in the official returns do not include trade between that country and the rest of the Japanese Empire. Where information has been obtained from other sources such as _B.I.O.S. reports, footnotes have been added to the effect that figures do, in fact, include trade with all parts. Trade statistics for Korea and Formosa include the trade with all other parts of the Japanese Empire. Statistics for British India relate to the sea-borne trade only except where otherwise stated. Except where otherwise stated the trade figures are intended to represent imports for home consumption and exports of domestic produce. In the case of foreign countries, however, many countries include a certain amount of "nationalised" goods, i.e., goods originally imported, but which, if dutiable, have been charged with duty and subsequently re-exported. Goods imported for "improvement" and re-exported after "improvement" are also generally included. Materials imported or exported on government account have been included as far as. possible. The units of quantity adopted are the cwt. of 112 lb. (avdp.); ton of 2,240 lb. (avdp.); imperial gallon and metric carat. For precious metals the troy ounce of 480 grains is used. Further particulars relating to the various minerals and metals referred to in this summary will be found in the monographs published by the Mineral Resources Department of the Imperial Institute (see lists at the end of this volume). These monographs contain much information which has a bearing on the statistical data recorded in this volume. NOTE:-For further particulars received since going to press see Addenda on page 378 of this volume.