IMMIGRATION RETURNS 2

AGRICULTURAL EXPORTATION 14

CULTIVATED AREA IN HECTARES 15

Value in L sterling of the total exports of
Argentina, 1900-09 22

ARGENTINA FROM A BRITISH POINT OF VIEW.

Argentina, which does not profess to be a manufacturing country, exported in 1909 material grown on her own lands to the value of L79,000,000, and imported goods to the extent of L60,000,000.  This fact arrests our attention, and forces us to recognise that there is a trade balance of nearly 20 millions sterling in her favour, and to realise the saving power of the country.

It is not mere curiosity which prompts us to ask:  “Are these L79,000,000 worth of exports of any value to us?  Do we consume any of them?  Do we manufacture any of them?  And do we send any of this same stuff back again after it has been dealt with by our British artisans?” It would be difficult to follow definitely any one article, but upon broad lines the questions are simple and can be easily answered.  Amongst the agricultural exports we find wheat, oats, maize, linseed, and flour.  The value placed upon these in 1908 amounted to L48,000,000, and England pays for and consumes nearly 42 per cent. of these exports.  Other goods, such as frozen beef, chilled beef, mutton, pork, wool, and articles which may be justly grouped as the results of the cattle and sheep industry, amounted to no less a figure than L23,000,000.  All these exports represent foodstuffs or other necessities of life, and are consumed by those nations which do not produce enough from their own soil to keep their teeming populations.  Another export which is worthy of particular mention comes from the forests, viz., quebracho, which, in the form of logs and extract, was exported in 1908 to the value of L1,200,000.  The value of material of all sorts sent from England to Argentina in 1908 was L16,938,872 (this figure includes such things as manufactured woollen goods, leather goods, oils, and paints), therefore it is clear that we have, and must continue to take, a practical and financial interest in the welfare and prosperity of Argentina.

New countries cannot get on without men willing and ready to exploit Nature’s gifts, and, naturally, we look to the immigration returns when considering Argentina’s progress.  To give each year’s return for the last 50 years would be wearisome, but, taking the average figures for ten-year periods from 1860 to 1909, we have the following interesting table. (The figures represent the balance of those left in the country after allowing for emigration):—­