Jan, 15.
Ovr London correspondent, dealing with the import into Britain of foodstuffs from China, says that "rice and tea are being imported from China in small quantities, but as far as is possible tea is being brought from the Dominions.'' There have been rumours of the reimposition of control of tea, but we do not remember any news of their being confirmed; and the only artificial barrier of which we are aware is the twopence per pound protective tax on China teas imposed by the last Budget. In point of fact the market this year has been remarkably good in spite of tariff, Indian competition and high exchange. Up to the close of December considerably over seven million pounds of black teas had been shipped to Great Britain as against under three at the same date in 1918. With some months of the teaman's year still to run, it looks as if the pre-war average annual shipment of about eight million pounds would be considerably exceeded. Were Russia importing, indeed, there would probably be a tea famine, for the demand from all European countries, due to war exhaustion, has been exceptionally heavy.
These conditions, however, cannot be expected to last indefinitely. London reports show that Indian tea is coming into the market in steadily increasing amounts and prices are falling proportion ately. With every prospect of exchange remaining for some years to come at heights undreamt of before the war, and with the twopenny tariff as well, the China tea trade is likely to find itself in a serious position unless it looks ahead and equips itself to meet the new conditions.
It is difficult to understand why Mr, Austen Chamberlain clapped
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