A RECORD YEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1925, Page 1

A RECORD YEAR.

DOMINION'S OV Kit SEAS TRADE. f WELLINGTON, August 13. j The- report of the Department of I"- ( iluslries ami Commerce says that ex- { C ept for tho boom year of 31)20. when conditions were abnormal, the figures ] for 192-1 constitute a high point record ( in the Dominion’s overseas trade. . Prices fur our exports were generally satisfactory during the past year, _ thougli a decline in prices of wool and dairv produce in the past lew months has detrimentally allectcd the position ; of primary producers. Tiie high value received for wool in J Ipo| was the main factor in the added value of exports. The principal in- , cicascs in imports were: £ Vehicles 1,125,000 yy heat 1.010,0011 I'Tectrieal maehinerv ... 000,000 , Timber •' , Til,, report states that it is much to _ lie regretted that the Domiioion sliould lie forced to buy from abroad such os- ; sential commodities as wheat, oats, coal, and soft wood timbers. The Dominion has also imported in in- 1 creasing extent commodities easily procurable in tbe Dominion, such as bis- 1 coils and confectionery, oils and paints. lessening in the value of imports ( of soil goods ami footwear somewhat assisted the local industries, more particularly the boot and shoe industry. It should again he emphasised that production is the all-important factor, and that in reducing the amount of our im- ; port- nor local manufacturers are improving our favourable trade balance, and are consequently assisting in meeting our indebtedness abroad. PltODl't'K AND MINERALS, ff prices for our leading lines of export continue to decline, it will be essential that we .should rely more upon our own resources, and use every possible means to increase the production „f ..in 1 1 commodities as wheat, oats, cud coal. Create!- attention in this regard to our own manufactured goods, which are able to compete favourably as to price and quality, would also alfoct a material gain in the Dominion s economic- welfare. on? pr.ST custom Fits. Analysing New Zealand's export trade, it is satisfactory to record that ever 80 per cent, of the exports are normally shipped to the United Kingdom. and although during the wut years this percentage was not maintained, the figures for 1922, 1923, and 1924 show a recovery to a percentage of 83. 83, and 80 respectively. The United States of America has recently been our next best customer, the percentage of the total exports, in 192:' Icing approximately 8 per cent., and in 1924 0 pm- cent. Australia in 1923 took nearly 6 per cent., and in 1924 o per cent-. Canada in both years has taken a . little over 1 per cent., while Germany i has increased her proportion from 1 less than J per cent, in 1923 to over ) -> per cent, in 1924. IMPORTS. In regard to imports, the United Kingdom is still by far the most important supplier of the Dominions requirements from overseas, but tho pio- . portionato importance of tins trade i i- gradually declining. During recent years the I nit spates. Canada, and Japan have sir- - plied a much greater proportion of the Dominion's imports than in pre-war years. Japan has. however, lost much | of the trade which -she secured during the war.