RISE IN PORT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 104, 26 January 1933, Page 8

RISE IN PORT TRADE

All-round Increase Noted in December Returns FIGURES FOR WELLINGTON Shipping and trade statistics for the Port of Wellington for December, 1932, showed for the first time for many months an all-round increase. The returns were announced to the Harbour Board last evening by its chairman, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, in whose opinion they Indicated that the country had gradually been gaining more confidence. He referred also to the newlyfixed exchange rate, saying it was a pity that it should have been brought Into force. Harbour authorities throughout New Zealand, he said, were going to face an anxious year. “I would just like to say in connection with the monthly statistics,” Mr. Norwood said, “that we in these days are always looking for some signs of improvement on the horizon; and taking the last three months’ figures there was some evidence of a little returning confidence, at least as far as the shipping returns were concerned. ■ It has been small, but It has had a tendency to rise each month, and this month, leaving coal out of the order, we are up on all the departments of the harbour’s trade. The position is that, the tonnage of trading vessels arriving increased by 23,501 tons net, compared with the corresponding figure for the same month of last year, while the gross tonnage of cargo handled increased by 17,749. General cargo Imports from coastal and intercolonial ports increased by 1326 tons, while exports of butter and cheese increased by 986 tons and 1057 tons respectively. Oils in bulk show a large increase, while there is a decrease in the quantity of coal handled. “This is probably the first month,” Mr. Norwood continued, “in which we have increased all round in every particular department, and it is undoubtedly one of the signs, I think, that the country was gradually gaining a little more confidence and was prepared to wait for conditions which appeared to them at least on the horizon. “Now I don’t know, of course,” said Mr. Norwood, “what is going to be the outcome of what amounts to a partial, at least, embargo on imports. . . ” Mr. M. A. Eliott: I wouldn’t like to say that, sir. Mr. Norwood: I can see it in no other way . . . and I don't know just what that is going to represent to this board and to other boards. I think I can say that all the harbour authorities right through New Zealand are going to face a very anxious year. It’s a pity, I think, having regard to the evidence that can be taken from the board’s figures over the last 12 months, that this change should be brought about. However, I just mention it to you lest you might feel that these increases which have been steadily proceeding during the past three months cannot be relied upon under the new conditions.”