EMPIRE TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1929, Page 3

EMPIRE TRADE

FOOD SUPPLY FIGURES

NOTABLE ADVANCE RECORDED

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, August 15

Important figures, regarding the trend of trade in food supplies within the Empire are given in a White Paper published by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Imports of grain during the year 1928 showed a notable variation m favour of Empire, sources. Wheat imports from foreign countries declined by 350,000 tons in the year, while barley and oats showed reductions of 37,000 tons and. 2000 tons respectively. On the other hand, receipts of wheat from countries within the Empire increased during the year by 38,000 tons, and -barley and oats showed additions of 19,000 tons and . 40,000 tons, compared with the quantities received in 1927.

While the quantity of beef from Empire sources increased by 25,000" tons, as compared with 1927, the supply from foreign countries showed a decline of 99,000 tons. On the other hand, there was an increase of 3000 tons of mutton and lamb, and 24,000 tons of pig meat from foreign countries, while supplies from Empire sources showed practically no change.. As compared with the previous year, butter and cheese from countries outside the Empire decreased in quantity by 4000 tons and 550 tons respectively, while receipts from Empire countries increased by 17,000 tons in the case of blitter and 3000 tons in the case of cheese.

Imports of maize and of potatoes from _mpire sources also increased to a notable extent.

Further details show that, in 1924, imports of frozen beef from the United States and South America were more than double those from Australia and New Zealand, but in 1928 the position was largely reversed, imports from Australia and New Zealand amounting to about 50 per cent more than those from American countries.