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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5794, 24 October 1879, Page 2

We recently drew attention to the state of the import trade of New Zealand. We now place before our readers a concise table of the amount of exports during the past year—they are classified on the same principle as the previous table of imports, and will well repay a careful consideration :

Comparative Statement o! the Values of Exports from New Zealand for the Years 1876, 1877, and 1878

The rapid increase in the manufacture of woollen goods within the colony during the past year has caused the exports of wool to show a considerable falling off. It is true that the returns up to the 31st of December in any one year do not form a reliable guide as to the actual output or clip of the season ; because an early season induces wool-growers to shear, and consequently to ship early. Hence, a late season, if followed by an early one, has a tendency to swell the export returns of wool for that season unduly. But returns published of the wool exported for the financial years ending June 30, 1878-79 and 1877-78, show that there was a decrease in the value of wool exported during that season, which, however, only amounted] to £IOB,OOO, whereas, by the above table the decrease in value of wool exported during 1878 is shown to be £366,000. Until a return is issued showing the actual quantity of wool retained in New Zealand for colonial consumption, the export returns will not form a reliable index to the progress of the woolgrowing industry. We notice that the export of rabbitskins has grown amazingly. In 1877 the number exported only amounted to 918,000, which were valued at £8630. In last year’s returns the numbers are set down at 3,976,000, valued at £33,460. By the latest returns we learn that during the 12 months ending J une 30 no less than 5,202,000 skins were exported, which, according to the above estimate, would be worth more than £44,000. Such a sudden and enormous increase in the export of rabbit-skins implies a reduction in the sheep carrying and wool growing capacity of many runs; and to some extent, the increase of rabbits may account for the falling off in the wool exports. The value of the gold exported is also considerably less than in the previous year. But the yield of gold fluctuates considerably, and it is only at about the same level now as in 1876. The falling off since 1871, when, gold to the value of £2,788,000 was exported, is very noticeable, and the buoyancy of the exports, which has enabled this trying reduction to be more than counterbalanced by increased production of other goods speaks volumes for the progressive prosperity of the country. The value of the exports of grain and flour during the year has nearly doubled. The provision export trade has increased somewhat. The native products, such as kauri gum, timber, and New Zealand hemp, have remained almost unaltered, and the exports of miscellaneous goods show also but little alteration during the past three years. There is a decrease in the total value of the goods exported from New Zealand during the year of about £312,000. In considering the financial position of th colony it would perhaps be more fair to put the export of gold on one side. It is a fluctuating industry which cau hardly *

be counted upon as a permanent source of income, or an index of the material progress oi the colony. If it were left out of the question, the actual falling off in the value of the exports of New Zealand during 1878 would only amount to £BO,OOO, the falling off in the value of wool being almost counterbalanced by an increase of £280,000 in the value of the grain and flour exported. In comparing the above table of exports with the list of imports which we published on Tuesday last, there are several points which seem to deserve attention. In the first place, we may remark that no less than £140,000 worth of flour and grain was introduced during the year ; equal to nearly a fourth of the whole amount exported in the time. Rich as New Zealand is in timber, the value of timber imported was £94,000, the timber exported being only worth £49,000. The imports of woollens and blankets were worth £137,000 in 1878, but only £107,000 in 1877. This marked increase in the imports of woollens -would certainly tend to induce a severe competition in the trade, as the English and the New Zealand made articles were both being placed in largely increased quantities before a very limited market.

— 1870. 1877. 1878. Wool Tallow Hides Sheepskins Leather £ 3,395.816 109,896 19,403 10.735 10,507 £ 3,658,038 150,552 18,486 27,361 24,294 £ 3,292.807 178.502 9.500 16,346 18,550 Totals—Class 1 3,561,362 3,885,631 3,515,795 Gold Silver C«al 1,263,599 3,171 1,954 1,476.31*2 7.556 2,071 1,244 102 5,755 5.130 Totals —Class 2 1,273,724 1,485,930 1.255,086 Flour, bran, and sharps Wheat, barley, malt, oats Potatoes 16,316 344,743 5,367 26,898 283,408 14,205 54,211 519,856 36,903 Totals—Class 3 366,426 324 511 010,975 Butter and cheese Salt & preserved meats 7,398 25.550 40,171 69,030 21,484 93.112 Totals—Class •I 32,048 109,210 114,596 Kauri gum N.Z. hemp and cordage Timber 109,234 19,714 40,847 118,348 19,632 50,001 132,975 11,851 39,411 Totals—Class 5 178,795 188,881 184,237 Miscellaneous—Class 6 260.210 333.300 335.011 Grand totals .. 5,673,465 6,327,472 6.015,700