TRADE OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 2

TRADE OF NEW ZEALAND.

The trade returns for the December quarter of 1874, and a comparative statement for the years 1873 and 1874, have been published. From these figures ,we find that the increase in imports during the last quarter of 1874, as compared with the corresponding period of the preceding year, was proportionately less than the total increase, contrasting the two years. This will be seen from the figures. Thus : IMPORTS. December quarter, 1874 .. .. £1,859,899 December quarter, 1873 ~ .. 1,786,311 Increase ..• .. .. £73,588 For year—lß74 £8,121,812 For year—lß73 0,464,687 £1,657,125 The increase, therefore, on the past year was at the rate of twenty-five per cent, nearly—a fact which speaks volumes for the progress of the colony. But while we have thus to chronicle tho very large extension of onr import trade, we must also note a considerable decline in export values. Thus : EXPORTS. December quarter, 1873 ~ .. £915,787 . December quarter, 1874 .. ~ 773,181 Decrease £142,606 For year—lß73 £5,610,371 For year—lß74 5,251,269 Decrease £359,102 This falling-off may be traced to five special heads. Looking at the detailed return for tho last December quarter, and contrasting it with tho return for the last quarter of 1873, we account for £121,507 of the decrease on the year. Thus : DECEMBER QUARTER: DECREASE ON Gold £61,909 1 Wheat 12,685 Preserved meat 7,310 Hemp 21,213 Wool 18,390 The decrease on gold and hemp export is greatly to bo regretted, as indicating a diminution in mining and manufacturing enterprise. Tho total foreign trade of New Zealand, as represented by imports and exports, footed up the following amounts : Imports, 1874 £8,121,812 Exports, 1874 5,251,209 Total -£13,373,081 - The magnitude of this trade will be understood by these to whom a mere summary of figures like tho foregoing does not convoy any very distinct idea, when we state that it required 856 vessels, employing 15,924 mon as crews, and of 399,296 tons register, to carry our imported goods last year; our exports finding return freight for 421 vessels, employing 8991 men, representing a registered tonnage of 198,721 tons. A comparative statement of the transactions of tho principal ports of the

colony will show the progress made by each. Thus : Imports. 1873. 1874. Auckland .. £1,422,395 .. £1.546,433 Wanganui .. 57,436 .. 69,473 Wellington .. 724,031 .. 1,084,657 Napier .. .. 156,166 .. 214,182 Nelson .. .. 319,429 .. 314,160 Greymonth .. 152,306 .. 183,609 Hokitika .. 153,489 .. 167,435 Lyttelton .. 1,029,041- .. 1,479,452 Dunedin., ~ 2,104,390 .. 2,539,500 Dunedin, it will thus be seen, stands at the head of the business cities of the colony, while Wellington stands fourth, ranking next after Lyttelton, which treads very close upon Auckland.