IMPORTS INCREASING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 272, 11 August 1920, Page 8

IMPORTS INCREASING

IMPORTANT TRADE RECOVERY

BRITISH MANUFACTURERS'

EFFORT

The returns of imports for the second quarter of 1920, which havo just been issued, show a remarkablo revival of New Zealand's trade with Great Britain. It appears that British manufacturers, whose trade with tho Dominion suffered severely during the war, aro rapidly recovering their position, iho imports from tho United Kingdom for the. Juno quarter were valued at J?6,995,259, compared with JC2,994,989 for tho corresponding quarter of 191!). Imports from Australia for the same period' sljowed an advance from .£1,154,851 to .£3,3i7,830. Imports from tho United States increased from JM,891 ,090 to Jj2,001, (OG, a comparatively insignificant advance, while import? from Japan fell from ,£379,182 to ,£245,550. Figures showing tho values of the principal imports'during tho first 6is months of 191!) and of 1920 illustrate tho revival of British trade. These figures cover goods from nil countries, but it is obvious that tho major Increases aro in British goods:—

Imports for Six Months Ended June 30. 1919, 1920. •£ ■« Bicycles and motorcycles 41,761 115,005 Boots and shoes 213,400 529,491 Carpeting A oilcloths 99,200 282,231 Confectionery 53,313 206,033 Earthenware & china 53,153 151,917 Glass and glassware ... 128,839 185,834 Hardware, n.0.0 178,118 313,338 Iron bars and rods 31.268 181,213 Corrugated-iron 99,96,9 420,34 i Leather f10,537 353,387 Electrical machinery ... 284,252 383,120 Paints & varnishes ... 122,915 336,1G0 Railway and tramwnjplant 51,371 157,707 Woollen* 262,809 896.124 Tools 112,727 157,657 Motor vehicles 380,256 1,282,123 Tho total imports for the first six months of 1920 had a value of .£24,198,674, as against, .£15.876,502 for tho corresponding period of last year. It may Im noticed that whilo the' total volume of import? from tho United States does not show anv marked increase, the importations of. motor vehicles have increased by about .£900,000 for the half-year. A very large proportion of tho motor-cars imported into New Zealand are coming fiom tho United States, so that it. is ovident the Americans have been losing ground in other respects. Japan is tailing to hold tKe - footing won in the New Zealand market during tho war.

His Majesty's Trade Commissioner (Mr. R. W. Dalton) told a Dominion reporter, In answer to a question, that ho had noticed the remarkable development of trade revealed by the official figures, and he was taking 6teps to ascertain an rapidly as possible what was tho bu« explanation of this movement. "I attach a very great deal of importance to it," he said, "arid I must confess that I did not anticipate tuch a lorgo and rapid reversion of. trade to the United Kingdom. In view nf all the circumstances I do not think it would be wise to be too optimistic regarding the new position, but I think I may reasonably conclude from these figures that tho recovery of British trade with New Zealand is certain. Everybody Knows that the last eighteen months have proved a very difficult period in tho minted Kingdom, and if in spite of these ditiicuitins it has been possible for tho manufacturers to achieve such an enormous increase in trade with New Zealand, it should be easily possible for them, when conditions become more normal, to mako more than a complete recovery of their pre-war position." ! Mr. Dalton added that he wa6 aware the enormous' increase in trade with tho United Kingdom in the Inst quarter had been duo to some extent to special circumstances. It was well known that until a few months ago the congestion in the United Kingdom was such that goods completed in execution of orders could not be shipped. But lately fessels had been coming out full. Buyers in this country confirm tho fact that orders which' were placed some timo ago and which would normally have como forward at an earlior dale, have been coming forward very rapidly within tho last two or threo months. At llio same time there has been-little. if any, cessation of buying, and in some trades buying is greater noff than it was iast year. "This big movement of trade," said Mr. Dalton, "is an indication that British manufacturers are still pre-bminent with the New Zealand buyors, and also that tho manufacturers, _ despite the enormous demand for thoir goods, are able to supply a very considerable part of New Zealand's noedn. For myself, I feel more confident as to the prospects of the future than I havo ever felt, although I havo nlwnys believed and said that tho British manufacturer?! wore strong enough to recover their trade when the opportunity permitted.