EXPORT STATISTICS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 220, 11 June 1921, Page 8

EXPORT STATISTICS

THE PREPARATION OF THE FIGURES INFORMATION THAT IS LACKING DEFECTIVE SYSTEM OF COLLECTION The discussion that has been proceeding regarding (he exports of the port of Wellington demonstrates the growth, of an appreciation of tho value of statistics to the country. There is a necessity for comprehensive and accurate statistics showing the details of trade and production. The confusion in connection with the export returns has been due to an attempt to make one set of figures serve two purposes, with iho result that fallacious inferences have been drawn. The mere substitution of another set of figures is not going to overcome the difficulty. The truth is that Near Zealand is not collecting enough statistics to show all (he facts in regard to production and trade. It has neglected the internal movement of trade, with the result that the returns of external trade aro in some respects defective.

The official table to which exception has been, taken is headed, “Exports from Various Forts,” and it has been quoted as representing tho actual outward trade of the ports. What the figures really show, within a rather uncertain margin of error, is the production for export of certain districts that have been attached for statistical purposes to ports. It has boon mentioned in the recent discussion that in tho case of Wellington tho figures under-state by some .£10,000,01)0 tho value of the goods that actually 'passed over the wharves irto overseas ships last year. The figures are of soma value as showing the exports of certain districts, which have been defined generally on a geographical basis. But they do not show tho trade of ports, since the exporter doos not pay any attention to these artificial districts. He sends his goods to the port that suits him best, and Wellington handles trade fro’m far outside its statistical district. The figures, moreover, are not propegly comparable ns between districts, since the areas vary greatly. The largest statistical district is Auckland, with an area of 18,952 square miles and the smallest is Tauranga, with an area, of 651 square miles. 1 Wellington is assigned an area of 4356 square miles.

If tlio figures were really accurate as regarded each district, they would bo of value as showing the growth from year to year of the exports of any one of those statistical districts. But as a matter of fact there in good reason for believing that the figures present substantial errors. They are not based upon accurate, information as to internal and coastwise trade. A meat export company, for example, may buy stock in the Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and central districts, and rail it to Wellington, where it will be reckoned at tho time of export as the produce of tho Wellington area. Illustrations of this kind might be multiplied, and it seems doubt:ful if the district statistics in their present form really are worth retaining at all. The matter is one for the consideration of the Departments that are handling the returns.

Before the creation of these statistical districts in 1914 the custom was to credit' each port with tho goods for which bills of lading were taken out in that port. A return to this arrangement would not provide tho information that is being asked for regarding the exports of individual ports. Goods may bo consigned from Patea to Ixmdon, for example, and the bills of lading are issued in Patea. But the goods generally speaking, are brought to Wellington, placed in tho stores here, and then loaded iuto an overseas ship. Patea is entitled to credit for the export, but Wellington is entitled to be credited with the handling of these goods in any figures showing tho total trade of the port. Transhipment is a recognised part of the work of a. big port, and Wellington statistics ought to record it. There is a similar difficulty in connection with import returns. Goods consigned from London to Picton are unloaded in Wellington and then shipped to Picton. The Customs duty may he paid in Picton, and that )>ort is credited, quite rightly, with the import in the But the same goods have to figure in the trade of tho port of Wellington.

It has been suggested th.-y, the .present return, showing tho production for export of the statistical districts, should lie retained with a fully explanatory heading, and that another table should be inserted in the Official Y’oar Book showing the actual exports of ports, the •figures to be supplied by the harbour boards. This arrangement would have deficiencies. Goods exported from Patea and transhipped in AVelli>ngton, or exported from Whangarei and transhipped in Auckland, would figure twice in tho returns of exports, and tho absence of statistical information regarding coast-

wise trade would make it very difficult for a.ny inquirer to got at the actual facts. Bills of lading would not tell the whole story, since the goods from the smaller port might not bo consigned overseas until they were transhipped at the large port. If appears that if the official figures are to be accurate and useful for all purposes they should show—(l) District production.. (2) Movement of produce from one district to another by rail or coastal shipping. (3) Transhipments at ports. (4) Total trade of ports. Returns showing the coastwise movement of goods are not collected at all ai present. The Minister of Internal Affairs, replying to tho deputation of Wellington members on Wednesday, said that the collection of returns to cover all the points would involve considerable expenses and could not be undertaken at the present juncture. It is clear, however, that the complete figures are required, and that incomplete returns cannot be made to tell the whole truth. Tn the meantime each port mnv fairly claim to be credited witji the total volume of trade thnt it is handling. That information is obtainable, and il is properly a part of a complete statistical system.