CHRISTMAS TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1924, Page 4

CHRISTMAS TRADE.

BUSY SEASON FORECAST. AI’C’KLANT). Dee*. A. A prosperous Christmas is aulie'iput eel hy Auckland importers if tlu* im port figures e-an he taken as a rcliabf test. No special feature's, howi*vi*i' are* marking truth* activity from ai import point of view. The* Port o Auckland re*ce*ivi*s e-argues of every ele* srription from all parts of the* world and all the principal lines of import: seem to he well maintained. Chi Limas importations gi*ne*ral!.' eommeneo in October, ami lor Ilia month of this ye*ar imports were* valui*i at. £22!),915, a figure wiire.'e, althongl not equal lo the reronl figure of £209, fifiS achieved for (leloher of tin* previous year, is taken as a sure imlicalion of tlu* i'nnfiilt*in*e* fe*lt by bushiest people* ill an approaching busy Christmas season.

As far as importations from the Continent are* conierncel, these art* graelually gaining in volume. Particularly is this so in the case of trade with France*. That country is sending larger I'onsignmi'ids of woollen goods, dress materials, fancy goods perfumery, and similar types of articles. These goods it will he seen, eater almost entirely for tlee* leioiniiie demand. The tallies of New Zealand are apparently giving iiinsiilerahle support to the* Customs Department through their definite' desire for imported dresses, elress materials. and ribbons.

German importations. while* im

proving, are not lining so in a very rapiel lasliion. Before* (he* war Ne*w Zealand was a comparatively good ciistomer .ol Germany, but tlu* present steite of the traile* is not nearly itn to pre-war dimensions. Toys, of e-ourso, form the* principal item, and glass amt I'hinaware* are also coming forward. A lew pianos have* been uotieed, hut there have been no importations of heavy mai'hinerv.

English importations are about normal for this time nf the* ye*ar. A good sign is the traile in heavy machinery, which shows no sign of diminishing. .Paints, iron, anil hiiileliug material are also coming into the country in large* quantities from Britain.

.Motor-ear importations from America continue to he about the same. England is sending a slightly increased numlier of cars. Italian makes are beI'oming more popular, but this class of ear generally enters the country at

southern ports. Taking the import figures into con sieleratiem with the high prices now he ing obtained hy New Zealand grower lor their wool and the record outpir of butter, the country’s internationa traile is in a healthy condition. Oil account- of the Christmas traile activity it more pronounced during the months ol Octolier. November, anti Decenilier. anil the activity in the e-losing months of 193-1 is highly saitsfactory. The season is also responsible for heavy deliveries from bonel stores, anil eleliveries of such commodities as cigarettes and tobacco are going ahead steadily.