N.Z. IMPORTS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19466, 13 November 1928, Page 12

N.Z. IMPORTS.

TRADE WITH BRITAIN. AMERICAN COMPETITION. (rEOK OUB OWK COEBEBPOHDMT.) LONDON, October 2. "The Tbnes," in its Trade issue, draws attention to the fact that a survey of New Zealand's import trade, as prepared officially in Wellington, reveals one or two features which deserve more than passing attention in England. In order to study them in their correct perspective it should be emphasised that small aa New Zealand's population is—it is about a million and a half—the Dominion imported in 1927 goods worth £44,782.946. and was, further, the largest per capita purchaser of British products in the world. Here, therefore, is a market of considerable value to our manufacturers. The people of New Zealand, mostly of British origin, are anxious to buy from us, and their Government has assisted substantially to smooth our path by granting preferential tariff treatment. The new tariff, indeed, is more generous to us than any of its predecessors. Yet in spite of these, sentimental and material advantages our trade position in the Dominion is not as satisfactory as could be wished.. The figures speak for themselves. In 1923 our' percentage of the import trade of New Zealand was 61.94; in 1924 it was 47.54; in 1925, 48.68; in 1926, 45.60; and in 1927, 47.93. Thus, quite apart from the decided drop in 1926. a year of serious industrial strife in this country, our share of this valuable market is decreasing. On the other hand, the United States of America and Canada, though still a long way behind Great Britain, are gradually increasing their percentages. The United States figure in 1923 was 16.04, and in 1927 18.04; Canada's figures for the same periods were 4.44 and 6.11. This story of larger imports. from America is not, of course, confined to New Zealand; it is equally true of numerous other countries, and the simple—perhaps comforting—explanation is that these goods principally comprise motor vehicles —in regard to which our competitor has certain advantages—and petrol, of which we produce none. But in the case of New Zealand this explanation is not sufficient, for if motor vehicles and motor parts, tyres, benzine, petrol, and motor spirits are totally excluded from consideration. both America and Canada have forged ahead, while we have gone back. Excluding these articles, our percentage of the Dominion's import trade last year was 52.20, compared with 57.34 in 1923; America's was 13.00 compared with 11.14: and Canada's was 7.49 against 4.29,. Indeed, although New Zealand's purchases under these heads declined in value last year by £2 000.000 in comparison with 1926, America's share of her total import trade was only two per cent, less The report describes the increase in general imports from the United States as a "growing threat to British trade." It is to be hoped that our manufacturers, assisted in a special degree by the new tariff will be able to deal with this threat in an effective manner and so maintain their predominance in the import trade of the Dominion. „ ■ • PATERSON BUTTER PLAN. w Melbourne butter merchants have been discussing the future of the Paterson butter stabilisation plan, which has now. assumed great importance in tho eyes of all connected with the dairying; industry in Australia. Tasmania and South Australia have never been greatly in favour of the plan, and Western Australia does not contribute " towards it at all. The industry in Western Australia made rapid advancement in ' the two years that the Paterson plan has been, in force, as prices for butter there were automatically adjusted to those ruling in the Eastern States. It is estimated that within two years Western Australia will be in a posiion to export butter, and' it has therefore been suggested that it should join with the Eastern States in supporting the plan. In Queensland, export amounts to about 60 per cent, of the output of butter,; and only 40 per cent, is consumed within the State. In the other States a far greater proportion is required for the internal markets. Factories in Tasmania and South Australia pay levies all the ■ year round, but draw bounties for a very short period when a surplus is available. However, these States reap a great benefit, as prices are much higher in the home markets than would otherwise be the case, and, as they export such small quantities, they do not run the risks faced by the larger producing States which have to follow the fluctuations of the markets overseas. It has been suggested that if Western Australia does not join the plan voluntarily, \it'. might easily be excluded by the Stabilisation Committee, which could declare it an export State, and pay a bounty sn all butter sent there. Such a step would mean that prices in Western Australia wo.uld be forced down, as the Eastern States could then afford'to sell at Sid a lb less than the rates current in the market. ELECTROLYTIC ZINC COMPANY. Mr W. L. Baillieu, speaking at the annual meeting of the Electrolytic Zino Co. of Australasia, Ltd., held in Melbourne, said that in common with other superphosphate manufacturers throughout Australia, the company iid a volume of trade which, while showing an increase on the previous year, fell below expectations. This was due to adverse seasonal conditions, and unfavourable martots for some lines of farm produce. Notwithstanding this, the response to the edu:ational campaign to demonstrate the beneicial results obtained from the proper applisation of fertilisers was encouraging. They jonfidently look forward to an increased denand in the future; and. had provided plant capacity at Risbon to meet this. The prospecting programme in band had revealed new jodies of high-grade ore, and while esti-" nates of tonnages had not yet been made ■he indications are that they would ultimately odd substantially to the ore reserves. JUTE YIELDS. When the final forecast of thi Indian ute crop was issued in ■ Calcutta on Septem>er 18th it was suggested by dealers there hat there might be a shortage of supplies n the future. This was based on the statisical position of jute. According to Hoare, tfiller and Company, however, world • connmntSon of jute for the twelve months endTune 30th was 10,871,000 bales. The yield f into this season is placed at 9,916,000 «Ips so that on the basis of 1927-28 conumption it falls short of needs by . nearly 000 000 bales. Indian jute mills had on ;' n(l ' 4 300,000 bales, and in addition exoSence' has shown that usually the estimate f production is largely below actual -outnt European mills were known to. have nßiderably increased their Btocks, so that nnolies for the season promise largely to Irrped requirements. Dealing with. the mar--nt for cornsacks at the end of September, Tnnre Miller, and Company write that no business had been done with Auslia for this season, but some trade had aken place in supplies for delivery next lesson. SYDNEY WOOL SALES. frnHTED PEESS ASSOCIATION—BY EIECTEIO 1 TELEGBAPH-COPYEIGHT.) (Received November 12th, 10.58 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 12. The wool sales were resumed, this being i. rtinl series. All sections of the trade inmoeted strongly, notably Franee," GerRussia, and Japan. The market Sf. verv firm, with, prices unchanged, al--1 finer descriptions of- menno showed horfening tendency. Greasy merino sold 'o 28Jd> equalling the highest pnee this "The* number of bales sold totalled 12,814. Pre" Assocaition.