WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1924, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

A DANGEROUS TENDENCY

(Special to •‘Guardian”.)

WELLINGTON, April 23. Postprandial oratory is generally cast in an optimistic vein, the viands and the wine mellow one’s feelings and give n cheerful aspect to one’s thoughts. At the 1 banquet held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Wellington Chamber of ComineVce, the President, Air John Alycis, drew attention to the expansion of the imports last year. The value of the imports in 1923 exceeded that of 1922 by eight, millions sterling, and the excess of exports over imports last year was only two and a half millions. Commenting on this, Air Myers said: “This established a dangerous tendency in our trade which, if continued, must lead to very serious results, ns the high prices for our primary products during the Inst year were accountable for part of the excess.” It is difficult to understand why the increase in imports should he clianic-

tensed ns a dangerous tendency. Surely it will not be contended that merchants import goods out of sheer wilfulness or stupidity. Goods n.re imported for resale in the Dominion and we may be sure that no more than the average number of mistakes were made by importers last year when compared with previous years. ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPORTS. According to an authority on the matter there, does not appear to he anything very remarkable in the expansion of the imports. In 1021 and again in 1922, imports were drastically reduced owing to the over-impoitntion in the previous year. Stocks in many lines were running low ; furthermore it was only possible to get certain lines of goods in volume and at reasonable Prices during tbe past year, and such

goods wore imported freely. There was a big increase in the impoits of ap-

parel and boots and shoes and a few other items, but the main cause of the expansion was the heavy importation of motor vehicles. In this respect it must be admitted that commercial vehicles formed no small part of the increase. The new Customs tariff was in full operation throughout last year, a tariff designed to encouraged local in-

dustries. yet in spite of this imports expanded. Australia showed the same tendency.to increase her imports, and the probability is that as Europe settles down to industrial activity more merchandise at lower prices will be availaide to the world, and there will be a lot of merchandise imported into Australia and New Zealand. THE MEAT BOARD’S EFFORTS.

The drop in the price of meat, especially mutton, and the silence of the Meat Board are making people here wonder what service the Meat Board is rendering the frozen meat industry. The Board gathers in the levy through the Customs Department and has spent a good deal of money in travelling expenses, and in paying high sallies, hut for actual results, there is nothing to he seen. Last week the country had to rely upon private firms for the market quotations ns the Board’s representative in London did not send his usual report, or if lie did the department here was too tired to let the public have it through the newspapers. Latest advices show that New Zealand wether mutton is down Jd to Ad per lh. and ewe mutton Jd to id lower. The lamb market is apparently steady. Meat prices have been falling for the past three weeks and no. official explanation has been offered by the Meat Board. Apparently supplies are in excess of requirements', but where are the supplies coming from? Then again there is a suspicion that chiliad beef from the Argentine is dominating the market. The chilled beef trade of South America lias been growing by leaps' mid bounds in recent years. In the year 1919 the imports of chilled beef into Britain from South America were only 52,818 quarters, last year the arrivals amounted to 4.600,654 quarters and last year showed an increase of 30.8 per cent over 1922. ' . t MONEY FOR PLEASURE.

Wellington is swarming with picture theatres, and they all seem to be Moing good business. There is also a very fine Grand Gpera House. There is another playhouse to bo known as the

..... . Theatre de Luxe in course of construe, tion, and now plans have been prepared for the erection of an extremely handsome theatre block in Willis Street. The building will have a frontage of 75 feet to AVillis Street by a depth of 183 feet. 'Tor a depth of over CO feet the block will l>e eight stories in height. The building is to include a well-appointed theatre on the ground floor at the back, a cabaret and roof garden on the top, whilst the front will be fitted up as suites of offices. The cost, as it can be well understood, will run not far short of six figures, when the value of the site is taken into consideration. It is marvellous bow readily money can lie found for pleasure schemes, whilst industrial ventures go nbegging. Seeking pleasure appears to he the craze of the moment, but that will be curbed with the first touch of adversity.