CITY AND PORT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 69, 21 March 1912, Page 2

CITY AND PORT.

THE STAPLE EXPORTS. SHIPPING AND PRODUCE. The Chamber of Commerce, in its annual report just issued, expresses some concern at the shrinkage in exports and the growth of imports. It is pointed out that for the year 1910-1911 there ia a serious decline of exports, iwhich exceed the imports by £1,300,696 only. The exports have dropped two millions, and the imports have increased two and a-half millions. That the margin of exports for 1910-1911 will not bo sufficient to meet the obligations of the Dominion for interest payment on loans is the view taken vby the chamber. Aesuminr the exports realised the declared values, it is evident that some £2.400,000" will have to be provided to meet the interest obligations of the Dominion. Increases are shown in the imports to all ports except 'Wellington, whereas the exports of Wellington compare very favourably with previous periods ana with other ports. The trade for the four chief ports of the Dominion (to 30th September) is set out as under: — Customs Exports. Imports. Revenue. Welliligton ... £11,850,509 £13,072,820 £2,272,621 Auckland 10,424,422 14,221,790 2,123,909 Lyttelton 8,647,913 7,820,301 1,314,641 Dunedln ... ... 4,433,166 7,088,751 1,263,702 It will be seen in the above table which port has been the heaviest importer compared with the produce exported to pay for the goods. SHIPPING. " The figures quoted by the chamber to show the shipping business of the ports are nearly 15 months old. They are from the Government returns, and give the totals of shipping entered at each of the four principal ports during the years ended 31at December, 1908, 1909, and 1910. The most reliable form of comparison is held to be to combine the totals of "inwards" and "coastwise" at each port, a* oversea steamers are entered inwards at first port of call and coastwise at subsequent ports. This has been done and with the following result :— 1910. 1909. 1908. Tons. Tone. Tons. Wellington ... 2,947,156 2,775,902 2,908,956 Auckland ... 1,583,716 1,520,040 1,594,428 Lyttelton ... 2,155,359 2,130,978 2,079,539 Dunedin ... 1,031,644 983,773 1,041,430 From the point of view of the Harbour Board the past year, the chamber thinks, must be regarded as both important and successful. Trade was uniformly good and revenue buoyant, record figures being reached in shipping tonnage, coastal and intercolonial exports and general transhipments. Reference ie made to the solution of the dry dock problem ; the successful local flotation of the final section of £850,000 consolidated loan, and other .improvements expected by the board in the interests of the mercantile community and the travelling public. Reference without comment is also made to the Harbour Board's proposal to reduce the wharfage payable by importers from 2s 8d to 2s 6d per ton, and the harbour imprpveinent rate from 6d to 4d. It was estimated the concessions would amount to £7000. Owing to tho increased cost of labour which, has resulted from the agreement come to by the shipping companies with the waterside workers, this proposed remission cannot be made. THROUGH BOOKING. The proposals^ of New Zealand ■Farmers' Union" 'for J a" through railway booking system 'by fail and" Sea throughout the Dominion were taken up by the chamber, and the Minister of Railways was asked if -he would institute such a system. The chamber' circularised the other Chambers of Commerce and the representations made had the support of 22 chambers. The "innovation would not only be a, source of revenue to the Railway Department, but would be a great convenience to business houses in forwarding goods, and. to farmers and others desiring to market their products. PRIME EXPORTS. Work done, in drawjiflg/up a new contract with New Zealand hemp buyers in London is touched Upon, and occasion is taken to point out that -the year has been one of low prices throughout. The average price c.Lf. London N for good fair was £20 ss, and the local 'price paid to the miller only J3l7j'aa' compared with £24 and £20 16s for 1910, respectively. Mills throughout the Dominion, except in the Wellington province, closed down. The higher class of milling and the better nature of the fix swamps in this province have enabled millers to continue work, and, in most instances, make a margin, of profit. .Towards the end of the year prices, improved somewhat, and millers are now doing comparatively well. The high price of tow is .helping millers very materially. The output of hemp for the year was 17,437 tons, and tow 3000 tons, a falling off of 7706 tons and 2000 tons on. hemp and tow Respectively, as compared with tho previous year. With regard to wool, the local eeasou is described as satisfactory, so far as prices are concerned. The effects of the English railway strike were still being felt in -wool circles in November laet, but the unexpected operations of American buyers on this market put up prices very materially. At the Wellington sales. '37,000 bales were sold for the season, as against 43,000 bales the urevious year. It is early yet to say how the shipments will compare with the, previous season," but itvlooke as if there will be a considerable shortage. For this province it is estimated there will be nearly 20,000 bales (representing £250,000 in. value) short when the season's returns are made up. This, the Chamber thinks, may be attributeed to the effect of the cutting up of estates resulting in the increased use of land for dairying, and a somewhat poor season for the growth of staple. The chamber points out that the development of the dairying industry in New Zealand within the last fifteen years has been a marked factor in the Dominion's prosperity. In the near future it will attain still greater importance. The exEort of butter has increased since 1898-9 y 280 per cent. It is, however, when the cheese, exports are analysed thatevidence is forthcoming of its value to the Dominion. The cheese export is equal to 660 per cent, increase. When in thirteen years a. department of agriculture develops' in " value to the community from. £604,793 in 1898-9 to £2,726,090 in 1910-11, it is possible to estimate its significance. There is no reason why the council holds that in 1924 the chamber may not look back and record a corresponding gr^wjkh.^ The trend of the industry is in the direction oi cheese production .and ,the reason is obvious. The only ' country that may bo regarded as a 'serious ■ competitor today in the market- of ' the United Kingdom in the export of ' Cheddar cheese is Canada. Possessing, ai New Zealand doe?, an ideal'climate for eheesemakbig of a high standard, it only requires the delivery of the raw material to the factory in perfect condition and the careful Selection of dairy herds to turn out not only the quality but the quantity. For the season 1910-11 prices were iahly good throughout. Luudon pieces have never been better. These havp remained steady throughout/ the nettbou at hum 130s to 136s for biittw, ajid from 69s to 74e for cht±z* L ' • '

The shipments of frozen meat during the season 1910-11 show a reduction in volume, largely due to the unfavourable climatic conditions which prevailed in the Dominion during the summer months. The demand on the whole was satisfactory, but prices, owing to the enforced marketing of British and Continental products through the dry weather, were on somewhat lower average.