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Flax-milling. Official statistics, year ended 31st March : — 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .... 57 22 17 Employees (number) .. .. 903 177 135 Wages paid .. .. .. £147,830 £26,223 £13,198 \ ;ihie of output .. .. .. £319,369 £47,722 £33,878 Value added by manufacture .. £234,760 £39,417 £24,399 Rope and Twine Making. Official Statistics, year ended 31st March :— 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .... 5 6 6 Employees (number) .. .. 219 225 205 Wages paid .. .. .. £41,858 £38,296 £35,304 Value of output .. .. .. £191,396 £160,401 £121,732 Value added by manufacture .. £80,820 £75,841 £64,831 The flax-milling industry continues to be in a very parlous state. The small export trade now secured as indicated below is due to the assistance of the Unemployment Board. The increased quantity exported represents 60 per cent, advance on the 1931 figures. The value exported shows an increase of 23 per cent, on the previous year. The company referred to in the last annual report of the Department has secured a building - site at Foxton. Plant has been ordered from England, and the company hopes to commence manufacture early next year. Export statistics : — Year. Tons. £ 1927 19,600 535,526 1928 15,683 394,450 1929 .. .. .. .. .. 14,720 379,942 1930 .. .. .. .. .. 9,493 221,923 1931 .. .. .. .. .. 2,398 38,407 1932 ~ 3,850 47,312 The rope and twine industry is dependent to some extent on the shipping trade, and in consequence has suffered through falling-off of coastal trade. The demand for binder-twine increased during the current year by 33 per cent., and the industry was able to maintain the same number of employees during this period. Clothing. Official statistics, year ended 31st March : — 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .. . . 237 244 244 Employees (number) .. .. 7,852 7,690 7 155 Wages paid .. .. .. £970,017 * £916,045 £784'668 Value of output .. .. .. £2,811,013 £2,597,928 £2,153,467 Value added by manufacture .. £1,419,696 £1,278,801 £1,109,276 Imports, calendar years :— Apparel and ready-made clothing (including fur clothing) .. £2.091,894 £1,161,962 £846,030 The majority of manufacturers advise substantial falling-off in turnover, ranging from 25 per cent, to 50 per cent. Competition for smaller amount of business is extremely keen, resulting in lower profits. One company in the South Island reports conditions good, sales increased by appreciable amount, additional employees engaged, and overtime worked. The trade in men's outer clothing is reported by companies in the North Island to have been fairly well maintained and in some cases increased. Prices have been reduced, as demand generally is for low-priced goods. The sales in women's wear have shown little variation from the previous year. Agricultural and Dairy Machinery and Implement Making. Official statistics, year ended 31st March :— 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .... 31 32 32 Employees (number) .. .. 963 850 505 Wages paid .. .. .. £211,383 £179,137 £97,761 Value of output .. .. .. £844,880 £574,721 £280,751 Value added by manufacture .. £420,889 £301,722 £147,967 Competition from overseas manufacturers has been a material factor in the decrease of sales experienced by a number of manufacturers. The import figures of 1932 show substantial increases in many lines of agricultural and dairying machinery. Manufacturers reporting state that sales have declined from 20 per cent, to 50 per cent, when compared with 1932 figures. One company reports net sales increase of 10 per cent, for 1932 over the figures for 1931, but prospects for the next six months are not encouraging, and until farm products harden in price business will remain quiet It is stated that many farmers are now usinu; implements which under normal conditions would be scrapped.

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