deliveries from Germany. Lower quality German suits are being imported at about Kr.15 per suit c.i.f. Good quality suits of wool are being retailed at Kr.75, of which the wholesale price may be reckoned at Kr.55. Competition in cheaper suits would probably be severe, but there is no reason why British makers should not secure a substantial share of the trade in medium qualities. Leather.-Much leeway will have to be made up if British firms are to regain their former position on the Swedish market. Considerable quantities of heavy leather, such as the coarser box-calf, sole leather and sides used to be imported from Great Britain. Owing, however, to the serious shortage of leather in Sweden during the War the home tanning industry was greatly developed. Fine grades for uppers and goat leather for gloves are imported at relatively low prices from Germany. American imports of leather were large during the past two or three years, but there are signs that they are declining. There was a steady demand for cruppers throughout the year. Other classes of leather were dependent on the market for boots and shoes, and business improved towards the end of the year. Manufacturers of upper leathers have felt the strong competition from countries with depreciated exchanges. These classes of leather are usually imported from Germany and Austria, whereas sole leathers are imported from America and Great Britain. Imports of sole leathers amounted to 154,839 kilogs. in 1921 compared with 291,088 kilogs. in 1920, and stocks were reduced from 230,652 kilogs. on 1st January, 1921, to 60,969 kilogs. on 31st October. Upper leather was imported to the extent of 346,683 kilogs., whereas in 1920 imports amounted to 804,672 kilogs. Exports of leather (all kinds) in the first 10 months of 1921 were 724,303 kilogs. compared with 369,284 kilogs. in the same period of 1920. The prices of raw hides continued to fall until April or May, when the bottom was reached, and the general demand appeared to increase, with the result that prices again rose. A contributory factor was the smaller number of cattle slaughtered in meatproducing countries owing to the diminished demand for meat. Prices of La Plata hides are now 30 per cent. higher than they were in May. Boots and Shoes.-The boot and shoe trade in Sweden has undergone a considerable transformation during the past twelve months. Prices have at last touched bottom or very nearly so, and old stocks have almost disappeared. It is important to bear in mind, however, that boots and shoes should be of such a shape and design as will appeal to the Swedish public. It is the custom in this country for the average middle-class Swede to wear attractive and "fine" footwear on all occasions, this being rendered possible in winter by the general use of goloshes, which are consequently sold in immense quantities. There is a good demand for medium quality boots and shoes which are retailed at Kr.29.50 and Kr.39.50 per pair. Generally speaking, these would correspond to the boots and shoes which used to be retailed in England before the War in enormous quantities at 16s. 6d. and 21s. per pair. There is, of course, a large trade to be done in lower grades, but the competition is more severe. Wholesale prices of boots and shoes were 35 per cent. higher in the autumn of 1920 than the quotations in November and December, 1921, for spring deliveries in 1922. It was only late in the year that any appreciable demand for footwear made itself felt, and owing to the general shortage of money the medium qualities were more to the fore, whereas there was practically no demand for higher grades of boots and shoes. The approximate Swedish production of boots and shoes in 1921 and 1920 will be seen from the following tables : Considerable losses have been sustained by boot and shoe manufacturers during the year owing to falling prices and the widespread inability to pay on the part of buyers. It is hoped, however, that the worst period of depression is now over and that the future holds brighter prospects. Matches. After many vicissitudes, especially connected with the severity of Japanese competition during the War, the Swedish match industry appears to be gradually regaining its former position in the world's markets. The falling off in exports in 1921, which amounted to 20,000 tons compared with about 36,500 tons in 1920, is to be attributed rather to the universal slump in trade than to the loss of markets. Some idea of the effect of Japanese competition on the Swedish match industry may be gathered from the fact that in 1919 Japan held the first place in the export of matches to the United States with $730,300. In 1920, however, Sweden exported matches to the United States to the value of $640,800, Japan's contribution amounting to only $115,000. Swedish match makers are also recapturing their position in the Far East. The Swedish Match Company (Svenska Tändsticks A/B), or Combine, was formed in 1917 by Jönköpings & Vulcans Tändsticksfabriks A/B and A/B Förenade Svenska Tändsticksfabriker, which were then the two largest match manufacturing companies. The Company owns twenty match factories, with a productive capacity of over 5,000 million boxes per annum. Although the export trade is showing signs of improvement, stocks at works are so large that a considerable interval must elapse before factories are working full time. In February conditions among the workers were very depressing, Work was reduced to three days a week and war bonuses were reduced. Musical Instruments. In normal times there is a steady business to be done in Sweden in musical instruments, especially pianos. The number of all instruments imported in 1921 was 3,471 compared with 5,629 in 1920. A considerable quantity of cheap German instruments have been put on the market, and Swedish piano makers, in particular, have suffered greatly from German competition. The German post-war piano, however, was not until recently equal to the instrument turned out in 1913, and some importers have, in consequence, found considerable difficulty in disposing of their stocks. Cinematograph Trade. The Swedish cinematograph trade, alike as regards production and exhibiting, has been very depressed, and firms have on the whole had to content themselves with marking time and leaving the question of substantial profits until the economic situation improves. It is to be greatly regretted that the number of British films exhibited in Sweden is comparatively insignificant. The market is deluged with German and American films, and the absence of British competition must be attributed to a curious disregard of local conditions. The trade depression in 1921 and the scarcity of liquid credits do not, represent sufficient grounds for neglecting the market. The two principal handicaps to British trade are (1) failure to realise that Sweden has a population of only 53 millions which is spread out over an immense area, and consequently that it is unwise to exact the same terms for renting and selling as obtain in countries with large populations, and (2) the inability to realise that the "sickly drama and cheap sentimental type of film is not only repugnant to Swedish tastes but is really not understood here. German films, for example, are more acceptable for the reason that in spite of disconnected and defective plot action German producers make a point of introducing a number of tense dramatic episodes which create an atmosphere of excitement and keep the audience in a continuous state of anticipation. There is also a growing demand for good scenic films and short comedies, but the public is getting tired of the stale knockabout farces. In order to stimulate trade in 1921 American films have been gradually coming down in price and German films have also been sold on very low terms, rendered possible by the German rate of exchange. American and German producers are beginning to advertise their productions extensively in the Swedish press, an example which might be followed with advantage by British film exporters. Books and Publications.-In view of the significant revival during the past few years of the study throughout Sweden of the English language, and of the fact that within the next ten years almost all foreign-language speaking Swedes, among the rising generation, will possess a knowledge of English, the question of investigating ways and means of stimulating the sale in this country of English literature, not excluding technical and scientific works, is worthy of serious consideration. Notwithstanding certain trade drawbacks inherent in the "sale or return "method. it cannot be denied that both German and French publishers, especially the former, are doing a very lucrative business in this country on that plan. An inducement to booksellers might lie in an arrangement whereby British publishers could agree to a return of a certain percentage of books supplies, or whereby, on the other hand, unsold novels, for example, could be returned on condition that an equivalent amount should be taken of cheaper reprints when the latter begin to appear. The sale of English books in this country is developing so rapidly, and the prospects of a much greater increase so promising that every possible facility should be offered to local booksellers. The "sale or return" method might be more commonly adopted by imposing the condition that books should be returned in a sound condition. In this case, care would be taken to preserve the books from deterioration. There is a growing realisation in Sweden of the great value of British scientific and technical works and in spite of the frequent omission of metric calculations, which diminishes their continental value, much more ought to be done by way of advertising the issue of technical publications among scientific and engineering circles, viz., Assocations, Clubs, etc., in this country. Only by some such method can the fact be realised, that it is impossible to keep abreast of developments without knowledge of the advances which are being made in British science and engineering. Exhibitions and Fairs.-Gothenburg, 1921.-This Swedish Industries Fair was held from the 4th to the 10th July, inclusive. The number of exhibitors this year was 439, compared with 618 in 1920, 1,057 in 1919 and 544 in 1918. The decline in numbers, which is probably only temporary, is attributed not only to the severe trade depression, but also to the circumstance that many of the larger manufacturers such as those of heavy machinery, etc., have now been eliminated, so that the venture is gradually acquiring the character of a samples fair in the proper sense of the term, i.e., the exhibition, in the main, of those articles which are usually displayed in shop windows. year's Fair consisted of 28 groups, as in 1920. Factors and merchants are allowed to exhibit on condition that they represent bona fide Swedish manufacturers. It has been decided to continue the Fair in 1922, but it will probably take place in August, instead of July. This Skane Fair, 1921.-This Fair was held in Malmö from 1st to 7th August. The number of exhibitors was 269, compared with 487 in 1920. Of the 14,000 visitors to the Fair, about 75 per cent were bona fide buyers. There was considerable agitation in the Swedish Press on the question of the expediency of holding two fairs located so close together as Malmö and Gothenburg, and also separated by an interval of only a few weeks. It does not yet appear to have been definitely decided whether the Skane Fair shall be held in 1922. Norrland Fair.-Owing to the general depression this Fair was abandoned in 1921. Gothenburg Jubilee Exhibition, 1923.-Very considerable progress has been made in the laying out of grounds and in the erection of buildings, with a view to holding a great Exhibition in 1923, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the City of Gothenburg. The Exhibition will consist of various historical groups relating to Gothenburg and the Western part of Sweden, as well as groups dealing with commerce, navigation, general handicraft and industry. It will also include a so-called Export Exhibition (the aggregate floor space of which is estimated at 40,000 sq. metres), comprising four main groups, viz., (1) iron industry, (2) timber trade, (3) machinery, (4) other articles of export. The Committee are contemplating arrangements for holding a separate exhibition of motor cars, flying machines, etc., and if this project materialises it will probably include a section for foreign exhibitors. The enterprise is being carried out under the auspices of the Municipality of Gothenburg. Floating Exhibition.-During the early months of 1921 the Swedish Government organised a floating exhibition of catalogues and cinematograph films on the Cruiser Fylgia, which visited various ports in the Mediterranean, including Marseilles. At the end of the year, the same vessel undertook a similar voyage of commercial propaganda to India. The main object of the enterprise is to disseminate general and statistical information regarding Swedish commercial and industrial matters. Proposals are now under consideration with a view to sending a floating sample exhibition, comprising Swedish industrial products, to Rio de Janeiro during the Exhibition which will be held there in 1922. IV. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS. RAILWAYS. Excellence of organisation is a feature of the Swedish Railways, both State and private, and the passenger services are much appreciated. In order to reduce labour as much as possible, the authorities decided, several years ago, to equip goods wagons with continuous air brakes, and a certain portion of the State railways' rolling stock has already been provided with this type of brake. To meet the enhanced running costs during the War, large increases were made in tariff rates, but these increases constituted no great burden when unprecedentedly high prices were obtained for articles of commerce. Discussions on this subject, however, reached an acute stage in 1921, manufacturers declaring that the maintenance of high tariffs was a very serious handicap for Swedish industry. The Federation of Swedish Industries petitioned that a radical alteration should be effected, and that goods rates should be brought down to the level of wholesale prices. It was affirmed that while prices of raw materials and fuel had declined very considerably, and that wages were diminishing, comparatively little had been done to lower goods rates. A definite proposal was made that the tariff should be reduced 36426 B |