27

A.—4

Direct shipping facilities would no doubt assist New Zealand merchants, but we are inclined to think that even with the present service much more could be done than is being done if merchants and manufacturers generally realized the great opportunity which awaits them. The position of boot and shoe imports was as follows : From Australia, £1,782 ; from United States of America, £1,164 ; from China, £44 ; from New Zealand, £16. The opinion was expressed by traders that the quality of the boot exported from New Zealand was not up to the Australian or American standard, and that the prices asked were too high. At one time New Zealand held the largest proportion of this trade. The position of drapery imports, n.0.e., was —From Australia, £25,449 ; from United States of America, £24,836; from New Zealand, £11,168 ; from United Kingdom, £2,286 ; from Fiji, £670 ; from China, £548 ; from Japan, £172 ; from Niue, £12. It was stated in evidence that, with the exception of two houses, New Zealand firms did not seem to desire the Samoan trade, and that, as a rule, the Australians gave buyers a larger range to select from, and were more anxious for the business. Cement: From New Zealand, £1,509 ; from all other countries, £142. Complaints were made regarding the difficulty of getting anything like adequate supplies. The same state of affairs in the cement trade has also been felt in New Zealand during the war period. This has been entirely brought about by the shortage of coal-supplies in New Zealand. When coal becomes plentiful no difficulty will be experienced by New Zealand manufacturers in keeping pace with Samoan orders. Cordage and rope : New Zealand supplied £741 ; all other countries, £81. Medicines and bandages : Australia, £980 ; New Zealand, £613 ; United States of America, £347 ; all other countries, £39. Perfumery and toilet preparations are almost entirely supplied by the United States of America, £518 ; Australia, £277 ; all other countries, £116. Fancy goods and toys, £3,300, of which total New Zealand supplied £222. Furniture n.o.e. : Practically the whole of it comes from America, £624 ; the New Zealand portion being only £52. Glassware and glass : America, £212 ; Australia, £148 ; New Zealand, £101. Leather and leather-manufactures n.o.e. : Australia, £1,496 ; New Zealand, £248 ; United States of America, £60. Electrical appliances : United States of America, £2,076 ; Australia, £111 ; New Zealand, £15. Engines, marine, £2,374. This trade is entirely in the hands of the United States of America. Matches, wooden : Australia, £1,131 ; United States of America, £520; New Zealand, £414 ; Fiji, £371 ; all other countries, £120. Hardware n.o.e. : United States of America, £2,930; Australia, £2,011 ; New Zealand, £1,535 ; Fiji, £3. Iron and steel: Bolts, bars, plates, sheets, tubes, pipes, and fittings are fairly equally divided between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America, the total value of imports being £7,621. Mineral' oils : United States of America supplied £12,681 ; Australia, £654; New Zealand, £607. Paints and colours : United States of America, £1,362 ; New Zealand, £407 ; Australia, £241. Paper (all kinds) : Australia, £1,209 ; New Zealand, £149 ; United States of America, £136 ; China, £9. Portmanteaux and trunks : Australia, £438 ; United States of America, £20; New Zealand, £l. Provisions : Bacon and hams —New Zealand, £1,013 ; Australia, £398 ; United States of America, £14. Biscuits: Australia, £8,431 ; New Zealand, £910. Complaints were made regarding the packing of the New Zealand biscuits and the price charged. The quality compares favourably with the Australian article. The price, however, for cabin bread was —Australian, 19s. (and tins 35.), as against New Zealand, 265. (and tins 55.).