H.—44.

Woollen-manufacturing. Official statistics, year ended 31st March :— 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .... 12 10 10 Employees (number) .. .. 2,478 2,237 2 216 Wages paid .. .. .. £364,549 £328,826 £300,'399 Value of output £1,085,279 £896,677 £802,105 Value added by manufacture .. £612,793 £571,926 £541,044 Although the value of output declined by £94,572, value added by manufacture, which is a better indication of the position, declined by £30,882. Manufacturers have experienced increased competition from overseas as shown by the import figures of piece-goods of various materials. Imports from the United Kingdom in cotton piece-goods increased by £194,572. In silk and artificial silk the increase from the same source was £40 710 From Japan the increase was £60,544. The United Kingdom also obtained a greater share in the market for woollen piece-goods, the relative import figures being: 1931, £361,886; 1932, £401,505—an increase of £39,619. This increase was gained at a loss to European countries.

Printing and Publishing. Official statistics, year ended 31st March :— 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .. .. 350 358 355 Employees (number) .. .. 8,255 8,192 7,610 Wages paid .. .. .. £1,859,182 £1,805,620 £1,573,670 Value of output .. .. .. £4,772,811 £4,509,786 £3,772,323 Value added by manufacture .. £3,569,680 £3,339,487 £2,791,803 The conditions of this industry are unsatisfactory when compared with previous years. Sales have declined from 10 per cent, to 50 per cent., due to orders for only essential business being placed. Business offering has been secured at very fine margins. It is reported that trade during the last three months shows signs of improvement. 'Brush and Broom Making. Official statistics, year ended 31st March :— 1930. 1931. 1932. Establishments (number) .... 14 15 15 Employees (number) .. .. 239 223 209 Wages paid £41,733 £42,415 £31,291 Value of output .. .. .. £135,047 £116,107 £102,219 Value added by manufacture .. £73,212 £66,479 £57,168 Imports, calendar years : — Brushes, brushware, and brooms .. £78,003 £38,623 £25,409 The competition from overseas in this industry shows a substantial decline of 34 per cent, for the past twelve months. A company in the South Island reports that trade during the first six months of the present year was quiet. The latter part of the year has shown substantial improvement, and full time has been woiked. The demand at the present time is for cheaper classes of goods. Competition is keen especially from the smaller factories. One company has obtained New Zealand rights for the manufacture of " Hairlok " made of teased hair impregnated with rubber, moulded in various shapes, and then vulcanized. It is used in the manufacture of furniture, motor-cars, bedding, &c.

Approximate Cost of Paper —Preparation, not Riven; printing (1,940 c-opics), £86.

Price <M.]

By Authority : G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 933

26

Piece-goods. 1929. 1930. 1931, 19 3 2- ! « £ £ £ Artificial and pure silk .. .. 1,211,335 1,020,019 610,191 677 419 Woollen 742,649 622,256 401,513 425,175 Cotton and linen .. .. .. 1,841,997 1,734,653 1,073,157 1,246,024 Totals •• •■ •• 3,795,981 3,376,928 2,084,861 2,348,618