!_H. 44.

H.—44

1933. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE (SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Wellington, 28th September, 1933. Your Excellency,— I have the honour to submit for your Excellency's information the report of the Department of Industries and Commerce for the past year. I have, &c, R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce. His Excellency the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand.

Wellington, 18th September, 1933. Sm,— I have the honour to submit the annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce. This report deals with the work of the Department since the previous report was placed before Parliament, and covers generally the period ended 30th April, 1933. In certain instances, however, matters subsequent to that date are also referred to. I have, &c, G. W. Clinkard, Secretary. The Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce.

BANKING RETURNS. The latest returns of the six trading banks in New Zealand briefly commented upon below cover the quarter ended the 30th June, 1933. Certain features of the returns indicate a slight improvement in the general business outlook, and reflect to a greater or lesser degree the return of some measure of optimism and confidence to business circles in New Zealand in recent months. Deposits for the quarter ended 30th June, 1933 (exclusive of Government deposits), totalled £55,734,003, as compared with £52,216,782 for the corresponding quarter of 1932, an increase of £3,517,221.' Advances, on the other hand, aggregated £46,757,112, as against £50,581,395 for the quarter ended 30th June, 1932, a decrease of £3,824,283. As a result, there was an excess of deposits over advances for the past quarter of £8,976,891, as compared with a similar excess of £1,635,387 for the corresponding period of the previous year. The relation of deposits to advances for the quarter ended 30th June in each of the past seven years is shown in the following table : —

The deposits for the past quarter, totalling £55,734,003, consisted of free or non-interest-bearing deposits to the extent of £18,866,445, and fixed or interest-bearing deposits amounting to £36,867,558. These figures compare with £16,815,882 and £35,400,900 for free and fixed deposits respectively for the quarter ended 30th June, 1932. For the past quarter the former class of deposits consequently showed an increase of £2,050,563 and the latter class an increase of £1,466,658.

Excess of Quarter ended 30th June, Deposits. Advances. Deposits. | Advances. £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. .. 46,490,366 50,753,106 .. 4,262,740 1928 . •• •• 52,947,133 45,426,955 7,520,178 1929 .. .. 57,051,894 47,407,211 9,644,683 1930 ' .. .. 53,748,038 54,063,162 .. 315,124 1931 ' .. .. 51,169,387 53,395,535 .. 2,226,148 1932 . .. .. 52,216,782 50,581,395 1,635,387 1933 • .. .. 55,734,003 46,757,112 8,976,891 „