BRITISH OVERSEA TRADE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 217, 13 September 1932, Page 4

BRITISH OVERSEA TRADE

RETURNS FOR AUGUST. SHARP DROP IN IMPORTS. EIGHT MONTHS' FIGURES. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 12. The Board of Trade returns of overseas trade for last month, compared with those of August, 1931, are as follows:— Imports decreased £11,968,000; exports, £585,000; re-exports, £358,000. Principal decreases:—lmports: Meat, £640,000; live animals for food, £1,115,000; other food and drink., £1,947,000; wood and timber, £841,000; iron and steel manufactures thereof, £859,000; woollen yarns manufactures! £921,000; apparel, £1,227,000. Exports: Vehicles, £772,000. Increases: Imports: Cotton, £632,000; oils and fats, £709,000. Exports: Cotton and yarns manufactures, £286,000; chemicals, £316,000. AUGUST IN LATE YEARS. (In Million Pounds.)

The great disparity in the later returns, as compared with those of 1929 and 1930, is largely accounted for by the fall in price levels. This, however, has been accompanied by a substantial decrease in the volume of trade. The chief significance of the latest figures is the fact that, while there has been a severe restriction in importSj exports have been fairly well maintained. As a result the adverse balance of trade is much lower than at this time in recent years.

1029. 1930. 1931. 1932. Imports 101.0 79.0 05.3 53.3 Exports 63.0 42.S 29.1 28.5 Re-exports . .. 9.0 6.3 3.9 3.5 Totals 173.0 129.0 9S.3 85.3 Excess of imports over total exports 29.0 30.8 32.3 21.3 EIGHT MONTHS COMPARED. (In Million Pounds.) 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. Imports 799.8 706.9 053.5 470.5 Exports 488.2 398.3 262.6 244.8 Re-exports ... 77.6 62.3 44.2 35.9 Totals 1365.6 1167.5 S60.3 756.2 Excess of imports over total exports 234.0 246.3 246.7 194.8