A—3

The following table sets out the quantities and values of the principal exports over the period of the last five years :

The record shipment of copra from the territory and the high price it commands have been the two main factors which have contributed to the island's continuing prosperity. The price of copra is regulated by a nine years' contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Food. During the past year the planting of young palms has been considerably increased and growers have given greater attention to the care of their coconut plantations. The number of cases of bananas shipped was disappointingly small, but increased plantings have been carried out and it is hoped that larger shipments will be made at the end of 1950 when the new shoots come into bearing. The large drop in Native plaited ware exports this year may very well be due to the renewal of competitive imports from foreign countries into New Zealand, as pointed out in last year's report. Hat exports, which were the chief object of concern in this connection, have dropped from 7,992 dozen in 1948 to 842 dozen in 1949. Exports of both basketware and table-mats improved during the year, but in no way made up for. the tremendous drop in the export of hats. The New Zealand Customs Tariff is in force and there is free trade between the territory and New Zealand. Local duties are, however, imposed on cotton piece-goods, sugar, and twist tobacco, irrespective of their countries of origin. APPENDIX I—METEOROLOGICAL REPORT A summary of the observations recorded at the radio station at Alofi for the year ended 31st December, 1949, and a comparison with the previous four years is contained in the following table :

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Year. Copra. Bananas. Tvumaras. Plaited Ware : Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. ' Quantity. Value. Tons. £ Cases. . £ Tons. £ £ 1945 415 9,986 7,662 4,141 10 141 14,683 1946 352 10,179 9,346 5,335 20 292 19,652 1947 695 28,505 15,797 1948 572 29,571 1 008 660 16,262 1949 893 43,843 3,328 1,724 6,080

— 1945. 1946. 1947. 1948. i | 1949. Total rainfall (inches) 80-80 93-94 71-09 ! 94-67 67-05 Number of rainy days 177 187 189 149 187 Highest fall for any day (inches) 3-60 4-50 3-72 9-99 8-09 Date of occurrence 23 Apr. 15 Dec. 17 May 31st Oct. 1 Jan. Highest temperature (° f.) 92-0 90-8 90-2 91-0 88-4 Date of occurrence .. 22 Mar. 28 Mar. 20 Mar. 6 Oct. 21 Feb. Lowest temperature (° p.) 57-0 60-2 57-5 58-4 58-2 Date of occurrence 6 June 27 June 26 Aug. 19 Sept. 21 July Mean of maximum temperature (°f.) Mean of minimum temperature 82-3 82-3 82-2 81-8 82-7 70-3 70-2 70-5 69-2 70-1 (° F.)