N.Z. Is Australia’s Fourth-Best Customer

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 13

N.Z. Is Australia’s Fourth-Best Customer

IN.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

CANBERRA, March 13. There was a sharp increase in New Zealand exports to Australia in the seven months ended January, 1964. They were almost 50 per lent higher than for the same >enod last year. Figures issued by the Comnon wealth Statistician howed Australia received mports from New Zealand vith £12.510.000 to the seven nonths to January this year s compared with £8,720,000 or the same period to Janury. 1963, In the same period Austraan exports to New Zealand Iso stepped up—£51.551.000 to anuary. 1964, compared with 36.032.000. New Zealand now rates as fourth best cusmer behind Japan, Britain id the United States. Japan took over “best cusmer" position for the first Exports to Japan for the ven-month period were llued at £146.2 million com-

pared with Britain’s purchases valued at £143.5 million.

For the first time Japan is expected to supplant Britain as Australia’s best customer for a full year.

Largely because of the great upsurge in Japanese buying Australia is headed for a record export year. Exports to all countries for the seven-month-period total £8055 million compared with £6Ol million for the corresponding period last year. On current trends Australia’s exports this financial year should exceed £l3OO million, trade authorities said. There was also a big increase in exports to China—£47 5 million compared with £17.3 million last year. I China—Australia’s fifth best I customer —follows New ZeaI land.

Imports from all countries in the first seven months were £672.6 million compared with £642 million last year.