H.—44

PAGE NO. Visit of Hon. W. Nash to United Kingdom, &c. .. . .. .. ■ • • • .. 27 Wheat, Flour, and Bread .. . . .. • ■ • ■ • • • • ■ • • • .. 28 Tobacco-growing Industry . . . . • • ■ ■ • • • • .• ■ • • ■ • .. 28 Onion-growing Industry .. .. ■ • ■ • ■ • • • ■ ■ • • • • .. 29 Investigation into Marketing and Handling of Fruit and Vegetables .. .. .. .. .. 30 Raratongan Fruit Inquiry .. .. • ■ • • ■ ■ • • • ■ • • ■ • .. 31 Woolpaeks .. . • • ■ • • ■ • • • • • • • • • • ■ .. 31 Sea Fisheries .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ■ • .. 31 Cement .. ■ • ■ • ■ ■ ■ • ■ • ■ • • • • • • • • • .. 32 Timber .. .. ■ • • • ■ • ■ • ■ • • • • • • • ■ • .. 32 Petrol . . ■ ■ ■ • • • • ■ • • • • • • ■ • • • • • • • 32 Board of Trade (Fertilizer) Regulations . . . • ■ • • • ■ • • • .. 32 Gas Regulations .. . . • • • ■ • • • ■ • ■ • ■ • ■ • . . 33 Chattels Transfer Act, 1924 .. • • • ■ ■ • • • ■ • • • • • 33 Trading Coupons Act, 1931 ■ • ■ • • • • • ■ • • • • • • ■ . . 34 Motion-picture Industry . . .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. 34 New Zealand Centennial . . .. • . • • • • • • ■ • ■ • • • .. 34 New Zealand Standards Institute .. .. • • • • • • • • • ■ • • .. 35 Publications .. .. • • • • , • • • • • • • • • • • • .. 35 Miscellaneous Activities .. . • • ■ • • • ■ • • ■ ■ ■ • • • .. 35 Conclusion . . • • • • • • ■ • ■ • ■ • ■ • ■ • • • .. 36 Appendix : Statistics and Comments relating to Manufacturing Industries .. .. • ■ .. 36 GENERAL TRADE REVIEW. As has been the practice for some years, a brief review is made of the overseas trade of New Zealand for the past calendar year. For the year ended 31st December, 1936, the value of exports from the Dominion was £56,751,940, as compared with £46,538,678 for the year ended 31st December, 1935, an increase of £10,213,262. Imports for 1936 aggregated £44,134,326, as against £36,287,544 in 1935, an increase of £7,846,782. The total exports are the highest ever recorded. The foregoing figures are exclusive of specie, exports of which during 1936 amounted to £45,245, as compared with £521,000 during 1935. Specie imports during these two years were £36,601 and £381,821 respectively. All figures are shown in terms of New Zealand currency, which since early in 1930 has been at a discount on sterling. Specie is given at its face value.

External Trade (excluding Specie).

It is interesting to note that on only three occasions has the excess of exports over imports exceeded the figure for 1936, while the total external trade of the Dominion has exceeded £100,000,000 previously on only five occasions. V

3

] Total External Excess of Year ended Exports. Imports. 31st December, , Trade. Exports. ____ J £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) I £(N.Z.) 1927 48,496,354 44,782,666 93,279,020 3,713,688 1928 .. 55,570,381 44,844,102 100,414,483 10,726,279 1929 54,930,063 48,734,472 103,664,535 6,195,591 1930 .. .. 44,940,517 44,339,654 89,280,171 600,863 1931 .. .. 34,950,698 26,498,151 61,448,849 8,452,547 1932 .. .. 35,609,919 24,646,006 60,255,925 10,963,913 1933 41,005,919 25,581,366 66,587,285 15,424,553 1934 .. .. 47,342,847 31,339,552 78,682,399 16,003,295 1935 46,538,678 36,287,544 82,826,222 10,251,134 1936 .. .. 56,751,940 44,134,326 100,886,266 12,617,614