INCREASED EXPORT RETURN?

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20989, 16 December 1939, Page 6

INCREASED EXPORT RETURN?

• Though he is not prepared to admit that all is well with the farming industry in New Zealand, Mr H. A. Seifert, a shrewd observer on such matters, believes that in the current season the value of the Dominion’s primary industrial exports will improve on last year’s figures by over £7,000,000 and total over £65,000,000. If his hopes are realised the increase in exports will be exceedingly welcome to New Zealand in a year when the extra costs of the war have to be faced, as well as an addition of £2,500,000 for the service of overseas debts. The increase expected is due in large measure to the higher prices under the commandeer arrangement rather than to an increase in the volume of production. Discussing the different classes of exports in turn, Mr Seifert arrives ax his rather unexpected but welcome conclusion, substantiation of which will be awaited with interest. Though he admits that the number of producing dairy cows has declined by 100,000, or 5£ per cent., in the past few years, he believes that the bottom of the decline has been reached, and he does not expect any further fall in dairy output in the current season. With the maintenance of production he expects the industry under the commandeer prices to yield a return £2,500,000 greater than last year. He expects a similarly increased return from wool, £1,500,000 more from meat, qnd £450,000 more from gold production. There are, of course, many factors .such as climate, epidemics, shipping space and war emergencies which might upset calculations, but if conditions remain normal there seems to be some prospect of realising the estimates. The whole position goes to show how vitally important the primary exporting industries are to the economy of the country, and how beneficial to all concerned would be a general increase in production as well as in prices. Along those lines lies New Zealand’s immediate financial salvation. The inference is so plain and the benefit so substantial that the Government and the people should be encouraged to put all their energies into the task of increasing production. Success in that sphere would almost automatically solve many of the difficulties with which the Dominion is at present faced.