SHIPPING IN SCOTLAND. To the shipping interests on the east coast of Scotland, 1898 has been an exceptionally prosperous year. Not only has the volume of general traffic to and from most continental ports and from America been large, but events during the year have specially favored the vessels in the Baltic trade, and have tended to keep up freight charges all around. Consequent upon the strike of coal miners in Wales last summer, there was a heavy increase in the demand for Scotch coal. In July, August, and September, the Forth in the vicinity of Methil, Burntisland, Bo'ness, and Grangemouth, as well as Leith, was daily almost crowded with vessels waiting to take in cargoes of coal for the Continent. Not only were the coal operators unable to meet promptly the demands upon the mines, but the harbor accommodation for the coal fleets was inadequate. It happened that the Russian timber trade at this port, always considerable, was this year unusually heavy. Going to the Baltic with coal and bringing back timber, at good rates both ways, the vessels yielded unprecedented profits. The war between the United States and Spain stiffened freights early in the spring, not only to and from American ports, but also in the Eastern traffic. Therefore, the season of prosperity for the shipping people had been a long one up to the end of the mining trouble in Wales. Even then, good fortune did not desert them. Upon the resumption of work in the Welsh mines, the British Government immediately proceeded to replenish the stocks of coal at the various British coaling stations in Europe, which required many vessels. This had an extraordinary effect on freight rates for a time, Scotch coal and other Scotch products being shut out of Baltic ports owing to the diminished number of vessels available, and to a difference in freight of sixpence (12 cents) a ton in favor of the Northumbrian ports. Freights have fluctuated somewhat during the past two months, but have not reached a low figure. The average has been strong. The year closes with a general increase of rates by vessels in the American trade. EDINBURGH, December 23, 1898. RUFUS FLEMING, Consul. DUNDEE.' The trade of this city for the year 1897, so far as its staple industries of jute and linen manufacture are concerned, does not present any prominent feature. There has been an absence of disputes between employers and employed; financial troubles have been of the most insignificant description, and serious losses on this ground are unknown. It is not reckoned, however, that the year has been one of profit to those engaged in these two branches of industry. Almost all-excepting, perhaps, spinners not overloaded with dear jute, who did pretty well-had an unsatisfactory record to show at the end of the year, and various causes are put forward as being instrumental in bringing this about, viz: The erroneous and misleading reports of the Indian government in its forecasts of the jute crop; the uncertainty caused by tariff legislation in the United States; also the serious and long-continued strike in the engineering trade, together with a general feeling of restlessness among artisans in other branches. 1In reply to circular of August 5. In the jute trade, the year commenced with prices of the raw material at a very high figure. Relying on the Government forecasts published in June and again in August of the previous year, by which a scarcity was anticipated, spinners bought extensively at values $15 to $20 per ton above what there was any necessity (as events showed) for them to pay. Consequently, they started the year loaded up with dear jute, and as time went on, it was found that the crop far exceeded the Government estimates. The quality, too, was inferior, being weak and difficult to work up, causing friction with the workers and materially reducing the output per spindle. Spinners thus became cautious, and, declining to add to their already heavy stock, dealers or speculators in London were left with large quantities on their hands, which they were obliged to warehouse-an unfortunate deal for them, seeing that fine Dacca jute, held in January for $95, could be purchased in the fall for $67.50 to $70, RFD quality also dropping from $57.50 to $35 per ton. A good demand for yarns prevailed during the year, yielding a fairly profitable return to the spinners, regulated, of course, by the cost of the raw material. For the first six months of the year, the activity in the local trade absorbed most of the ordinary burlap yarns, and subsequently, an export demand arose which did much to lessen the effects of the reaction following upon the inflated demand for manufactured goods for the United States markets. The continent of Europe continued to take increasing supplies from local spinners, but as an offset against this is the fact that Calcutta is forcing its way into Dundee and becoming a serious competitor. Doubtless, many of the manufacturers do not care to run the risk of the yarn turning out defective in quality, but there are others who are prepared to take the chances, and this threatened invasion by Calcutta is a matter that spinners will have to seriously consider. The annexed table shows the various prices of jute yarns during the year: In fabrics, the year can not be said to have been a profitable one. Spinners, well bought, who are also manufacturers, would recoup themselves to some extent, but manufacturers who had to buy their yarns would have to face a debit balance, as at no time was the price of cloth sufficient to meet the cost of yarn and manufacturing. From July to December prices steadily declined, and as yarns never gave way, many looms were stopped on orders being filled. An exceptionally heavy crop of coffee in Brazil caused a demand for 40-inch cloth, and this kept a number of looms going which would otherwise have been idle. The trade in heavy goods has been characterized chiefly by a want of life and vigor, but at the same time, it has been sufficient to take off production. In the following table are given the fluctuations in price of the principal fabrics during the year: |