WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

(Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Jan. 26. There is a marked tendency for the imports into New Zealand to expand. The latest official figures are for the 11 months to November 30th. 1925, and the value of the imports for this period was £47,800,006 which compare with £44,017,454 in the corresponding term of 1024. and £39,771,630 in the same period of 1023. There was thus an increase of £3,782,552 as compared with 1924, and an increase of £8,028,- , 376 compared with 1923. Taking the aggregate of the various groups of imports soft goods were valued at £9,623,326 as against £8,555,391, an increase of £1.068,000 or about 121 per cent., the greatest increase in this section being in cotton piece goods which were about £356,000 higher. The hardware totals were £6,541,266

against £6,323,066, showing the moderate increase of £218,000. The imports of foodstuffs were valued at £3,627,757 against £4,015,904, a decrease of £388.000 due to shrinkages £379,000 in grain and £189,000 in sugar, the figures for the latter being £1,240,935 against £1,435,480. Beverages showed an aggregate value of £1,919,693 against £1,752,362. an increase of £167.000 towards which whisky contributed £116,000 and tea £15,000. The miscellaneous section shows an aggregate of £17,316.269 against £15,207.764 an increase of £2,109.000 of which motor vehicles accounted' for £519,0*00, rubber tyres for £535.000 and petrol for £76,000. motor cycles £86,000, limber for £172.000, tobacco goods £BB- - wool-packs £-15,000. cornsacks £62.000 and manures £91.000. Other goods which comprise innumerable smaller items aggregate £8,771,091

against £8,102.907 an increase of £008.727. The number of motor vehicles imported during the 14 months was 19,789 as against 17.168 in the corresponding term of 1921. and 12,816 in 1923, so that there was an increase of 6978 .'as compared with 1923. Tlte values of Hie motor vehicles imported were in 1925. £3.749,839; in 102-1. £3.230.710; in 1923, £2,202,051. The values of rubber tyres were in 1925 £1.134.355; in 1924. £590,000; in 1923, £789,028. The substantial increase shown in 1925 is no doubt caused by

the increase in the price of rubber, and .also to the extended use of balloon tyres. The petrol imported was valued at £2.118.210 in 1925; £2,0-12.-(iOf) in 11)24 ; £1.570.221 in 1923. AVilh the Increase in the number (J cars the consumption of petrol must- expand and the imports must therelore increase each year. 'I lie imports of 1 itit—her tend to increase, and the value of the hewn and sawn timber imported in the 11 months of 1925 was £1,121,827 ; in 11)24. £1)49,028; in 1923, £536,589. In two years the imports of timber have hecii more than doubled. MEAT FREEZING LICENSES, ft is understood that the. .Meat Control Board lias declined to allow the transfer of tho license lroni tho Wellington Aleut Export Company to Borthwick and Son, or bluntly stated, (lie Alcat Board lias refused to sanction tlie sale of the Wellington Afeat Export Company's business as a going concern, and tho decision was unanimous. Bortliwiokx offered to purchase the works for £200.909 which would have given the shareholders ol the Alcat Coy. 8s in the l\ that is for each share of £5 paid. £2 would be received. If the decision of the Boat'd stands, which is very doubtful, shareholers in it meat company have no voice in the disposal of their own properly. Furthermore. the buildings, plant and machinery of a freezing com patty call no longer be accepted by the batiks ns the basis for an advance. The hanks must confine their relations with freezing companies to advancing against consignments. It scents incredible that a New Zealand company cannot sell its hti.siuc.SH In British buyers. Jl might bare been different if tho purchasers were foreigners which tlicv are not. Bortliwicks already bold licenses for works in Wailara and Hawkes Bay. and it lii-cn.se to operate at the Xgahauranga and Kaknriki works would not add to their powers. Under tlte licenses they itlreay hold they can buy stock anywhere in New Zealand, just as the holders of other licenses can, and they have their stock slaughtered and frozen at anv works. It is not the power to operate works that constitutes the linger, hut the freedom to fitly slock In the open market and outbid competitors Unit is tho source of the trouble. The matter cannot rest whore it is. that is to say that tile decision of the Afeat Board cannot he taken ns final. Unless the Government overrides the decision of the Board the legality of the position is certain to lie tested even if it hits to he taken to the Privy Council.