OVERSEAS TRADE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 8

OVERSEAS TRADE

Substantial Increase In Exports

IMPORTS STILL GROWING Substantial increases in exports and imports are shown in the overseas trade returns for the period ended May 31, released yesterday by the Customs Department.

Exports during the month of May were valued at £5,076,000, an increase of £750,000 compared with those for May, 1935, greater shipments of wool and higher prices for that commodity and for butter accounting for the increase. Imports last month were valued at £3.247,000, an increase of £223,000 on May, 1935, and more than £900,000 in excess of those for May, 1934.

The May figures for the last three years compare as follow:—

The trend of overseas trade is shown more clearly In the figures for the five months ended May 31. Exports for that period were valued at £30,010,000, the highest level reached for several years and £6,128,000 in excess of the total for the corresponding five months of last year. The higher prices ruling for wool and the greatly increased quantities shipped account for much of the increase in export values.

Imports at £16,427,000 for the five months ended May 31, show an increase of over £2,000,000 on those for the corresponding period of last year and are about £4,400,000 in excess of those for the first five months of 1934. The figures for the five months’ period of ‘the last three years are compared in the following table: —

Excess of Exports. Imports. Exports. £ N.Z. £ N.Z. £ N.Z. 16,427.000 13,583.000 Mny 1935 . 23.882,000 14.362,000 9,520,000 May; 1934 . 28,203,000 12,028,000 16,175,000 Movements of specie, which are not included in the foregoing figures, have been as follow: — Exports. Imports. £ £ Month of May, 1936 ...... — — Five months ended Jlay,

Exports. £ N.Z. Imports. £ N.Z. Excess of Exports. £ N.Z. Month of— May, 1936 . 5,076,000 3.247,000 1,8-29,000 May, 1935 . 4,326,000 3.024,000 1,302,000 2,367,000 May, 1934 . 4,710,000 2,343,000