The Guardian And Evening Star, with which in incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1931. TRADE PROSPECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which in incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1931. TRADE PROSPECTS.

With the new year entered upon, there will be hopes and expectations as to the trade prospects for the coming period. Looking back over the world-wide fall in prices, we may realise what difficult time the past year has been for business generally. Surely bottom was touched and there may now be confident hopes as to the future, New Zealand is specially interested in prices for primary products, in respect to which there was an all I'ound decline. But in the midst of these speculations it has to be realised with feelings of satisfaction that r the trade figures for the year show a balance in favour of exports. While price values receded, quantity increased for exports, and there was a decline in imports. The financial effect of this advantage must have (been good and has helped to ease the difficult period. With the closing weeks of' the year, butter prices at Home took another rise. The recovery was certainly opportune, and with the winter season now prevailing in the northern hemisphere, butter will advance rather than recede. If the dairy farmer could receive round about a shilling per pound for butterfat, his lot would not be as difficult or as hard as the November-Decern her payments foreshadowed. The dairy fanner has brighter prospects ahead, for cheese also is on a firmer market, with a slight advance. In respect to stock there has been a lowering ol prices. No doubt mutton and lamb prices are. affected by wool rates, but sheep are expected to improve in value shortly, though beef is not specially in j

favour. Stock-raising will not be as remunerative in the near future as in the past, but the stock markets are always subject to unexpected fluctuations, and the swing of pendulum may yet go the right way for the man on the land. Woo! rates were certainly low and in some instances quite 1111renmnerative. There in the feeling l/lmb they cannot go lower, and better values are expected later with the firming of values at Home. It lias to he remembered, too, that though wool prices were down, large quantities were passed, the wool grower being in a position to hold on for better prices. The country therefore lias •i considerable asset in hand awaiting realisation as the opportunity offers, and this applies, too, to skins and hides. The advice is given often that to improve the country’s exports, there should he a greater production of commodities, while new markets should be exploited. It has been suggested of late that a market for New Zealand produce is to he found in the Far Fast, where in China, Japan, and the East Indies, there iis an opening for Dominion commodities. The loss of the Canadian market for butter is a serious matter to the dairying industry, and it will not ho clear till Mr Forbes returns what hopes there are of recovering it. Canada could . also take New Zealand lamb if there were n. favourable reciprocal tariff, and the settlement of this subject is one between the two Governments. New Zealand could extend its primary products considerably, and various suggestions have been made to that end. This year is likely to sec some practical extension, and that will lie helpful to assist in increasing export quantities. The Government is pledged to increase hind settlement, and is setting about a special scheme in the North Island. In this district « special committee is looking for desirable settlement land. With more people producing, the effect on trade generally will be more marked, and a policy developed to that end will l>e in the interests of the country at large. While there has been a considerable degree of pessimism prevailing in farming circles at the adverse tide of prices, there is reapon to hope for steadily improving conditions. There is the silver lining to lie seen in respect to some of the leading commodities and the man on the land may take renewed heart at the prospects and enter upon the year’s work in a spirit of hopefulness. N.ew Zealand is not singular in regard to the depressed times, but on the whole stands well in the world view, and our people rnav well be hopeful and resolute as to the future. Bv making the best of things, the community ns a whole will go forward, and with determination must succeed in maintaining this fair country at the high reputation for progress it has- enjoyed always.