WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1924, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

NINE MONTHS’ TRADE (Special to “Guardiau”.)

WELLINGTON, November 12. The Government statistician relens- j oil the ti'iiilo figures for tlic nine , liioiilhs to .September on November ]O, or six weeks jiftor (lie close ol the. month, tunl bo.-iiicsa |i(‘o|>lo tiri' won- 1 during when the Department will he sufficient ly organised to have these (ignre.s |>nhlishc(l say in three weeks. The liritish trade retnins, which mil into many millions are given to the ; inthlic within a fortnight of the close of tin' month and it should not he diflicnlt for the Xew Zealand Statistical Department to publish the Xew Zealaml returns within say three weeks, hot six weeks is unconscionably lone, and the figures tire of little value when published. However, the exports for the nine months totalled C 11.057,21 IS and the imports £80,187,750, the excess of exports over imports lor the period hoi no IJ I,hi I .*, 152, while for the half year to .lime .’lt), the excess was CKl.fi IS.tld.T. In the third quarter of the year the exports contracted while the im|sots tended to expand, lienee the small margin at the elose ol the nine months. Those who take a closa interest, in the trade homes are cl opinion that, the trailing year should he from October 1, to September .‘til, and the figures for such a period would give it more accurate idea ol the trend of trade. The actual imports of mer-

chandise into Xew Zealand during the nine months totalled Cf.ti.lT7,loo its < outpaced with £81,107,18-1 in the corresponding nine months ol last year, C25.175.H05 in the same period of l!)22 and L':!5,2!!8,!)50 in ittJl. Compared with last year general marchandise exhilu'ts nil increase of C 1,070,270 or lo per cent. Taking the imports in groups, soft goods accounted for L'O.SO t, 171 against C7,:s;s;>, I OS, a clecrettse of £502,000, which occurs mainly in cotton and woollen piece goods, hosiery and hoots. Furs and lur trimmings. haherdashery, lace, rihhons and sewing silks and cottons show shrinkages. In hardwood goods there is an increase of 2020,000 the totals being £-1,708,582, against £B,B-17,08!). Of the increase, electrical machinery accounts for 017,000. The. import of foodstuffs totalled £0,200,705 against CI.BOS. I2S, tin increase of Cl ,100,000, due mainly to heavy imports ol wheat, £078.220; oats, COW,>OI ; barley, CdO,7d7 mid maize CIO. 107. all of which could and should he produced in Xew Zealand, at least to the extent of meeting local rerpiirements. IJeverages imported wore valued at. £1.181,502 against C1,:101.25.*>, showing the moderate increase of C 1.'1.00t1. Teashowed an increase of C7-I,nni) and whiskey a decrease of C 70.000. In the miscellaneous the total lor the nine months of this year was C 11.710.125. against £0,080,55!) an increase id C2.0.T0,000, the prineinal increases being in motor vehicles, £BS 1,000, petrol. £552,000, emtl C:i21,(!00 and limber £021,11110. Other goods totalled £8,120,122 against £7,-100.705 an increase of C7I0.:)00, aeeounted for inainIv hv the increase in tobacco and cig-

arettes. pianos and stationery. ’I he , number of motor vehicles imported in the nine months was I 1,007 against 10,005 in the nine months of last year,

and 2.10.1 in the corresponding period in 1022. The imports ol benzine, etc., totalled •JH.07d.001 gallons. agaiiot Id.OJO. IJ!) gallons last year and 12,1:11.007 gallons in 1022. STA ill 1.15F.1) POLITICS. The more stabilised political conditions that now seem orohahle in I Sri tain. Kuronc and the Foiled Staes are making business people heic led somewhat elated at lie trading prospects a., tin' result. Wool brokers in particular life very glad to see the results of the Presidential election in the I'nitcd States, for notwithstanding the fact that the wind larilf of tha I coitntrv is ah-urdly hi;.h still, il there is no 01" pc I "I am ill iin n.i'i* e "I tbo larilf fill three or lour rears the Americans will settle down to business and the mere (|i!eslio;i ol price will not frighten them.. The Americans have not, been operating on any ot the wool markets lor some time past, and they are now said to ho short ot supplies ol wool. If this is the case the Americans must buy wool in New Zealand and Australia, and their operations, il is claim'd, must lend In mainlain values. There was a prompt I mmi mi the New Vink stuck exchange as soon as the election of .Mr Coolidge was known, Hut 100 much notice should not he given lo this lor th.' A ricans are prone to exaggerate. 11l Europe the Dawes plait appears In lie opera ting smoothly, and tirrm.sny is inporloil to have balanced her I’udget, and is now ready lor world trade. Ihe Germans will lie keen buyers ol wool, and although at present Continental opinion strongly favours line wool, the Germans cannot afford to neglect the crossbred section lor her neighbours and customers cannot afford the high prices ruling for the line wool lithries. With renewed competition from America, and increased demand from the Continent ami Japan brokers are looking forward lo an exceptionally good season. DO CATS CATCH HAIGHTS? | According to a correspondent a false, notion exists that the cat is the natural enemy of the rabbit. The wild cat may he, hilt not the domestic eat. Home years ago the same idea was held: and some enterprising farmers of the Wairarapa ull'ered to purchase cats in ] any number—that is stray cats—which/ set many boys in Wellington in those J days to work, and many domesticated j pets vanished much to the regret of], their owners. Many stated that he j canto across several cats, which could j not have had food for. some days, for i they came mewing to him and raven- i ously ate the rabbit meat given them ) I The eats horn in the bush ami running : wild may hunt rabbits, Inti not the domestic cat.