IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 211, 25 November 1909, Page 5

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

Commenting on the import and export figures up to September 30th the New Zealand Trade Review gives an opinion that "the returns on the whole are calculated to help forwiard the restoration of easier conditions in the money market." The total values for the last three years, excluding specie, are:

ISO 6-7: Imports £16,071,887; export* £19,891.846. Excess of exports £3,819.959.

1907 8: Imports £17.750,808: exports £16,370,587. Excess of imports, £1,380,221. 1908-9: Imports £N,916,0>»5; export*? £18.700,159. Excess of exports, £3.7*4.151.

"These figures," remarks the R>view, "give proof that the latest year h2S practically brought the dominion back in this respect to the position it occupied in 1906-7, that is to say that tbe value of the exports was sufficient to pny for the imports and leave a margin enough to meet the outside obligations. public and private. The figrres indicate the sudden change brought about in 1907-S by the shrinkage of exports and expansion of imports, when the former fell short of the sum required to pay for the latter, leaving interest obligations out of the question. The deficiency was, of course, worse than is shown by the figures, owing to the realisation of the wool clip falling rhort of valuations by about one million. We have now I entered upon a new produce year, the result of which, judging by present indications, promises to be extremely good, and as the local money market seems to b3 for th; present relieved from the demands that have been ! mad-; in the past to meet the requirements of the Government and of local bodies there is a good ground for anticipating a period of financial ease in the near future. The falling of? in tbe imports for tbe September quarter, in comparison with 1908, is, apart from specie, £839,091, equal to 17 per cent. The rate of importation last year was excesisve and we believe the shrinkage is not more tban is desirable to assist in restoring the equilibrium between imports and exports, as well as to bring importers' stocks to a more • healthy volume. It was indicated by j the returns for the month of Sepem- : ber, published recently, that importers j were increasing their orders in some important lines. Trade conditions in country districts are beginning to show distinct improvement, thanks to the activity connected with wool shearing and the money circulated by the dairy factories. The excellent prices realised for wool at recent sales will also put farmers in good heart and give assurance of increased financial ease in the near future. In town, trade is still of a good deal of a hand-to-mtfuth character and almost confined to articles of actual neacessity Conditions are, however, sound, and engagements generally well met.