In order to further compare our progress with the progress of other countries the following table has been prepared to show the relative position of the principal countries now and twenty years ago. If we consider merely the rate of progress, the German percentage of increase is undoubtedly better than ours. But in national life, as in individual, it is not percentages but amounts that are important, and the table shows that while Germany has added 6,000,000 tons to her shipping, we have added 27,000,000 tons to ours. As long as anything similar to that proportion is maintained we have no need to fear German rivalry. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SHIPPING. In Millions of Tons. ---------------------------------------------------------+-------+------- Average Annual Entries and Clearances. |1870-74|1890-94 ---------------------------------------------------------+-------+------- British tonnage engaged in the foreign trade of the U.K. | 28 | 55 German " " " " " Germany | 4 | 10 French " " " " " France | 5 | 9 United States " " " " the U.S. | 7 | 9 ---------------------------------------------------------+-------+------- The figures for 1890-94 may be illustrated diagrammatically as on opposite page. It must be noticed that this comparison takes no account of the enormous carrying trade done by this country for foreign countries or British Colonies trading with one another; nor are there figures available for showing how in this matter we compare with our rivals. The figures, if they existed, would show that in this international industry Great Britain is first, and the rest of the world nowhere. [Illustration] Before passing to another point it is worth while to call attention to the enormous development of the coasting branch of our shipping trade, as shown in the figures given above. This branch of shipping is really of the nature of internal traffic, as distinguished from foreign trade. That it should have increased so steadily and so rapidly is by itself a striking proof of the commercial activity of the country. THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR RAILWAYS.