The Press. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26,1907. THE DOMINION'S TRADE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12971, 26 November 1907, Page 6

The Press. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26,1907. THE DOMINION'S TRADE.

Wβ recently commented on tho very satisfactory character of New Zealand's export return* for the year ending 30th September last. Briefly pnt> as compared with 1905-6 thwo we* an increase in the total value, apart from specie, of to over 12 per cent. Moreover, there was a substantial inoreaao not only in valuo but in. volume in the case of all the leading lines, except grain and grainstuffe. The total value of tho exports of New Zealand produoo amounted} to £19,687,573 —a splendid record for a community of loss than a million eoiite all told. Wo now learn from the "Now Zealand Trade Review" that tho imports for tho wimo period show, as might be expect*cd, ft substantial improvement in the spending power of tho community. Tho imports for the year, excluding specio, amonnted to £16,071,887, showing an increase of £2,496,766,, or fully 18 per cent, as compared with the previous year. The Customs duties, of course, are eome-what disturbed , by tho remissions «nd increases in tho jmw tariff, but the total for the year showed an increnaf. of £300,645, or 10 2-5 per cent, as compared with the previous year. Our prohibitionist friends will be concerned to learn that tho increase in spirits is nearly £44,000, or fully 8 per cent.; in wino fully 20 per cent., and beer nearly 16 per cent. It i» unfortunate that an incrcaso in prosperity is nearly always reflected in an increase in drinking. At the kmho lime tho peoplo of the Dominion havo been spending money freely in other directions. The duty on tobacco in all dhapce shows an increase of orcT 7i per cent, goods \\y ■weight between 9 ami 10 per cent., and goods m\ valorem equal to 13 per cent. Sugar, cm the other hind, allows «n increnee of only 3 per cent., which is about proportionate io the increase in population. The "Review* 1 justly points out that tho increase in the "ad valorem" duties is to some extowt accounted for by the increase in the price of the commodities. It ie a mutter of common observation that the cost of clothing is inoreMiiny, and the* tJie people— especially tho femalo portion of tho population—aro dressing more expensively than formerly. A portion at least of an oft-quoted remark by an KitgiLsh politician may bo aptly used in thie connection. It is certain tint drapery andi millinery bills "ltavo increased -, and '"are increneing." It remaina to lie wen whether they "must be diminished." It is gratifying, no doubt, to ccc that the people lmve the money to upend. It is probable, however, that a little wholesome check on anything like lavish expenditure would be for tho ultimate good of the Dominion,