External Trade Record In 1961

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29896, 9 August 1962, Page 14

External Trade Record In 1961

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 8. The total value of New Zealand’s external trade in 1961 was the highest yet recorded, said the annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce, tabled in the House of Representatives today.

Imports increased by over £35 million over the 1960 total and exceeded by £25

million the previous highest level of £262 millions in 1957 Exports, at £283 million, were the third highest recorded and were £l9 million below the record figure of £302 miHion in 1960 Woo) was the biggest export earner in 1961 at £lOO million meat came next with £72 million, butter was third with £39 million and cheese fourth with £2O million Out of an apple and pear crop of four million cases 19 million cases were exported to bring in £2.400.000 The trade in sawn timber to Australia fell 37 per cent. from 44 2 million board feet in 1960 to 27 7 million board feet in 1961 The drop was partly offset by log. exports to Japan, which doubled in 1961 to bring in over £1 million Frozen vegetables exports brought in £305.000. seed= £l9 million and fish £1.2 million Petition Favoured The Parliamentary Select Committee on Public Petitions has recommended that the Government give “very favourable consideration” to the petition of Miss Edna M Bullen, of Christchurch Miss Bullen sought the transfer from an emergency unemployment benefit to the receipt of a permanent invalidity benefit, and the chairman of the committee (Mr J H George) reported to the House today that the committee found this would be fitting in Miss Bullen’s case, though the change would not mean she would be financially better off The petition was presented by Mr N E Kirk (Opposition. Lyttelton) last November “Swollen” Berth “It must have swollen in the water.” interjected Mr A. E. Allen (Government. Franklin) when Mr D. J. Riddiford (Government, Wellington Central) asked the Minister of Railways (Mr McAlpine) whether the alterations to the new ferry wharf in Wellington were necessitated by inaccurate in. formation about the size of the Aramoana or errors in building the wharf. Mr McAlpine said that measurements of the ship showed the ship was built closely to the specifications, and the alterations made to the wharf did not result

from inaccurate information on the size of the vessel. Asked about the wharf at Picton, Mr McAlpine commented: "Things are better in the South Island.” Deferred Telecast The decision of the Broadcasting Corporation to make a deferred telecast of the Rugby League test on Saturday from Carlaw Park was not one on which he should issued a direction, said the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella) Answering Mr N. V, Douglas (Opposition. Auckland Central), Mr Kinsella said the corporation had chosen for a telecast a sport that was prepared to have an immediate telecast. Indispensable? Miss M. B. Howard (Opposition. Sydenham) would be a very valuable member of the Consumer Council, but he felt that there was a great need for her services elsewhere, said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall). He had been asked by Mr H. R. Lapwood (Government. Rotorua) to nominate Miss Howard for membership of the Consumer Council to enable her “private consumer service” (referred to in the House recently by Miss Howard) to amalgamate with the Consumer Service. Miss Howard in a supplementary question said the service did not appear to give redress to individuals who bought goods of poor quality Contraceptives The supply of. oral contraceptives to New Zealand women only on . a doctor’s prescription would give adequate protection said the Minister of Health (Mr McKay). He was answering Mr W W. Freer (Opposition, Mt. Albert), who asked whether the Minister had seen a report regarding the dangerous results associated with the use of an oral contraceptive known as Enovid. which had been classified in America as a “killer” and which had been associated with the deaths of two women. Mr McKay said that the contraceptives could not be sold over the counter. The Food and Drugs Amendment Bill, now before the House, would cover chemical contraceptives.