FEW MAIN EXPORTS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 297, 12 September 1934, Page 6

FEW MAIN EXPORTS

Wider Variety Necessary to New Zealand SEARCH FOR NEW MARKETS “The far-reaching effects of the depression have clearly demonstrated that New Zealand has placed too much reliance upon a few main classes of exportable commodities,” stated the annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce, tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. If was only natural, the report continued, that increasing attention should have been given to the question of exporting a wider variety and to the exploitation of new arid undeveloped ’ markets. In this connection the department was active'in Its endeavours to open the way for an increase in the export volume of a more diversified range of products and for the extension of present overseas markets. While there was still a .measure of uncertainty and obscurity in the world economic position and the consumptive demand for all classes of commodities continued- to remain at a relatively low level, it wits becoming more apparent as time went on that there must soon come about the formulation of a definite policy by the leading nations of the world In respect of the trend of economic nationalism, and it was to be hoped that a policy’ would be adopted that would open the waste a greater How in the volume and value of international trade.

Commodity prices generally showed a steady upward trend, an Improvement which, if sustained, would quick-, ly form a sound foundation for the building-up of that confidence which had been so badly shaken during tile period of fulling and contracting markets. The marked improvement apparent in the economic progress of the majority of those countries .in which New Zealand’s principal markets were found was being reflected in the Dominion’s own progress along the road to the attainment of more prosperous conditions.