A LETTER FROM TONGA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 443, 27 February 1909, Page 7

A LETTER FROM TONGA.

ytPBOt! OUB OWN COHRESroNnINT.) -'Nukualofa, February'l9.- ; The Statement of Trade and Navigation for the year-ending December 31, 1908, has just beon issued, and is. a most satisfactory document. , Tho total imports for the year were to the value of £98,170, which is, an increase over tho previous year's returns. Imports from New Zealand..totalled £44,000, the figures for Australia reading £34,100, whilst: imports from Germany wero valued at £11:000. Other .-countries benefited for lesser amounts,. The trado of New Zealand with' the kingdom w £1000 hotter than tho previous year's transactions, Australia showing a' falling-off in trade to the extent of £2000. Tho total amount of duty collected was £12,823 6s. 2d. The exports exhibit a slight decrease :in stated values aa compared with 1907, but there are instances of increased output. For instance, in 1907 copra exports were 7361 tons, whilst for the year just olosed thoro were 9886 tons exported.' : The export of green, fruit shows a:decided increase, -as under:— ■ -..■:.'.;■<■, -.■'.' "'-'■•■■ ; 1907, 91,615 packages, valued at £10,002.': • 1903, 111,393 paokages, valued at. £14,187 SS. 6d. ■.:■/ . . •. --' : ,- This is an increase to the extent of £4185 ss. 6d. The bulk of green fruit is shipped to., Auckland. Of copra exports, Tongatabu shipped 3224 tons, Haapai 3518 tons, and Vavau . 3143 tons. : As an instance of the trafOo in live stock, it is interesting to note that 127 hprses were forwarded to Samoa and Ilji, most of,them being for the latter place, and presumably for■tho Indiair population, tho "value in this connection being set down at £980. The:'.:'6tat'ement ,of- navigation shows that 41 .Vessels entered in - and out during tho year,:,the total. tonnage • being 68,269. . ' ;. . •